WELCOME TO A RETURNED TROOPER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11924, 24 December 1900, Page 2

WELCOME TO A RETURNED TROOPER.

A social to welcome liome Trooper Heenan. f f the first contingent, was held in the VTiblie Hall at Riversdale on Friday night. The hall was packed—fully 500 persons being present. Mr W. A. Donald (captain of the now defunct Riversdale Rifles, in which corps the returned soldier got his first military training) presided, and had Trooper Hcenan on his right hand and Mr M. Beenan (the. latter's father) on his left. The others on the platform were Messrs M'Nab. M.W.R.,

and Gee, nnd Troopers Aitken and Samiders (also of the first contingent). The proceedings commenced with a choir singing " Rule, Britannia." The Chairman, in a few wcllchosen words, welcomed back Trooper Heenan to his home. He said he had known the returned trooper since he was a boy, and had always found him made of the right stuff for o soldier. .He had, no doubt. 'seep a lot, and liis experiences would all help to make a man of him. Simply because Heenan had had a long time in hospital, it must not be thought tliat lie had not done his duty, for disease was no more avoidable than a !bul'ot, and he was glad to hear that Heonan could give such a good account of the enemy's hospitals. Tho Chairman then read the following telegram from Mr i'Vaser, M.H.TC.: —

" Hoped to the last might get buck to Riversdale, but find I must leave for Wellington to-day to attend to important matters affecting my constituents. Incliimtinn must give way to duly. Kindly apologise to meeting for my absence, and convey to Mr Heenan my regret at being tumble to personally welcome, liirn bock. It would be discreditable for us not to do honour to eich and all of our boys. Nobly juvl well have they comported themselves in Afrr-. "Now Zealand is proud of (hem; Britain iroutl of them; nnd the historian will racor. n glowing terms of those who, though born and reared thousands' of miles from the motbtn-lnnd. yet eagerly volunteered to defend and uphold the Empire." Three lusty cheers were then given for Trooper Hconan at the request of Mr Donald. Captain Bowler and Mr Gee also spoko. The latter referred to the '.niest of the evenimr us a great credit to the district, and hoped that his action o£ volunteering to defend the Empire would be followed by many of the young mon in the district when necessity calls again. Trooper Hecnnn, in his reply, said he was not used to public speaking, and he could not find words in which to thank those present for th.c royal welcome they had given him. Tt made all the hardships worth going through, to got such q homc-cominp;. Trooper Heenau then resumed his seat amid deafening aoplr.use.

Mr M'Nnb also syioke. and complimented and congratulated Heennn on his return, remarking tliat when the news came to hand of his death the speaker had always doubted it, as the .evidence was not sufficient to con-

Mr IJeenan. sen., thanked the meeting for the cordial welcome they had extended to his son. and said that it gave him erear plcasuro to know that lie had so many friends. The speeches during the evening were interspersed with musical items by the following Indies and gentlemen:—Misses Smail. Wallace, ami Qualter, Rev. Mr KirVland. Captain Bowler, and Messrs Lennon, Tanner, and Wallace. Miss King played the accompaniments. After refreshments had bpen partaken of the ha.l was cleared for dimninpf, nnd enjoyed until an early hour next morning. The hnli and stage had'been very tastefully decorated by several ladies in the district, who richly deserved the vote of thanks passed to them.