RECEPTION BY THE NATIVES ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12043, 15 May 1901, Page 6

RECEPTION BY THE NATIVES ASSOCIATION.

PRESENTATION TO COLONEL ROBIN.

A smoke concert, under the auspices o[ tli« New Zealand Natives' Association, was bold in the Choral ,Hall last night to give a reception to Colonel Robin, C.8., ami members of tlio New Zealand The chair was occupied by Mr T. K. Sidey. president of the association, who was supported oil his right by Colonel Robin, C.8., and Sir A. C. Hanlon, and on the left by his Worship tlio Mayor (Mr IJ. L. Dennistoil), Lieutenant Park, Mr IS. Withers, and the following members of contingents:— Sergeants M'Donakl, Scott, Wright, and Krull, Troopers Morton, Borlaso, Clark, Ilaydon, Foreman, Hodge, and Farqtdiarson, The men all belonged to tlio second contingent, ivith the exception of Serjeant Krull, who was a member of the third. Trooper Warren, of Kitchener's Light Horse, was also present. Tlio stage was appropriately dceorated with cabbage trees, grass trees, ferns, and Norfolk palms. There was <1 very largo number of gentlemen present. Tlio principal function of tlio evening was tho presentation of a pair of gold spurs to Colonel Robin. In carrying out this duty, Tlio President said it was a privilege to occupy the position of president of the association that year, as it gave him the opportunity of welcoming hack to the colony Colonel liobin and his gallant soldiers.—(Applause,) To Colonel liobin he had a special word to say. Since his return to the colony he had been entertained by a number of those with whom he had been connected in tho past, and lie had had ample evidence that the people had a very high appreciation of the work done by himself and his men in South Africa.—(Applause.) On behalf of the association, he (the president) wished to say that of tlio various institutions to which Colonel Kobin belonged there was none tiiat had .watched more closely or with deeper interest the progress of events in South Africa than had the Dunedin centre of the New Zealand Natives' Association. —(Applause.) They had folt proud, not only of the fact Hint Colonel Robin was a native of Dunedin, but that he was a member of the association, and every honour conferred upon him they bad felt they had an interest in themselves, and thai it was really an honour conferred on the association.—(Applause.) Referring to tiio work accomplished by tho New Zealand contingents in South Africa, he said that if it had not been for the skilful leadership of Colonel Kobin fewer men would have roturned to Now Zealand than had so far come back.—(Loud applause.) Sisters and mothers had Colonel Kobin to thank for having suppressed the too eager boldness and bravery of some of the men.— (Applause.) It was in view of all tho facts of what had been done in South Africa that tho association had resolved to give some tunable recognition of their feelings to tho officers and the men. Thoy, therefore, invited thcni to that gathering whore they would hear an expression of the warm feelings of the association for the work tlwy had done, and with Colonel liobin they desired to go a little farther and present him with a pair of gold spurs.—(Applause). Tlio money for the purpose bad been gathered without any difficulty whatever, and the amount that was over it was proposed to present to Colonel Robin in the (arm of a purse of sovereigns. It v/r.i appropriate that spurs should be presented to Colonel Po! ,! n. for ■' * j said that lie' bad won bis spurs.—(Applau'e.) I The spurs, he might state, had not beta ! completed, but the moa>-.:\- ' would be forwarded to Colonel Robin. They i were to lie enclosed in a box of native . wood, with a full-sized solid silver horseshoe on ton, together with Maori carving, and the inscription: "Presented to Lieu-tenant-colonel Robin. C. 11., by native New Zealanders of Duncdiii on the oceasiou of his return from South Africa."—{Applause.) lie was sure they all wished Colonel Robin long life to wear the spurs, and that he would not rest upon his laurels; indeed, he hoped they would all live to see tho day when they would address him as General liobin.—(Loud thesrs.l Tlio health of Colonel Robin and tlie troopers present was drunk with enthusiasm, and Colonel liobin, rising to reply, was received with voeifcroUß cheers. After thanking the asfjciatio'.i for having invited his 1 A CIIKAT MKDICJNK. " I have used Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera, and Diarrlitt'i Kemcdy, and find it to be- a great medicine," says Mi E. S. Phipps, of Poteau, Ark. "Ii cured me of bloody flux. I cannot speak too highly of it." This remedy always'trim the good opinion, if not praise, of those w!;o use it. Tho quick cures which it. effects even in the most 1 Eovcrc cases makes it a favourite everywhere. I For sale by all dealers; price, 1: Gd and 3c.

father to the gathering, ho said that if there was one tiling more pleasant to him tiia,n another it was the manner in which the president throughout his remarks had associated the colonel of the regiment with the moil who had been under him—(Ap. phuise.) It was all the more pleasing to him became no one Icnov Letter than he did himself that an officer could smceed in nothing without the co-operation of his moil.--(Applause 1 .), it was impossible for him to thank the association for their very kind uxprcssion of appreciation of his services ; but ho felt their kindness very deeply, and was sincsrely grateful for it.—(Applause.) He would like to say that all the men who went from Xe,v Zealand set out with only one object, and that was to assist the mother country at a time when everything looked as if assiftance were required; and all had worked throughout the campaign to carry out tho ordera given io them without any individual racing after any particular honour.—(Applause.) Of course, someone must he at the head, but honours showered on the oliicers, as honours wore shmvercd upon him that night, were also, he felt, shared in by tho men, and he hoped that in thin case the men would tool that they )uul ail interest in the spurs as well as himself.—(Applause.) He would not go into details with regard to many interesting mattora that night. When he had handed in his report?, and when the returned moil of tho contingents had lwen uncharged, he hoped to ix> able to speak ou a number of subjects with regard to which he must say nothing at present. He thanked the association sincerely for the lio'.viur they had done him.—(Cheers.) 11 is Worship the Mayor, who tvas warmlv received. expressed his appreciation of the ohjcct of tho gathering. Koth as mayor of the city and as a private citizen he wai pleased to do what lie could in honour of their distinguished townsman, Colonel Robin, and tlie men who had returned with ii!,n.---(Applause.) Lieutenant l'ark, in addressing o fewwords to the meeting, said he hoped employers would not forget the returned troopen when they had any light employment for which they wanted hands. Many of the men wno had come hack were quite fit for it, and that, thoy were deserving of kindly consideration thero could bo no doubt.--(Applause.) Sergeant Scott, in replying on behalf of the men, said he wa; proud to have served under Colonel Robin in South Africa.— (Cheers.) lie cordially thanked the meeting for the vrtiV in which they had received the toast. iff ■Sergeant M'Dona'.d. who also replied on behalf of the men, thanked the gathering for the welcome so generously extended to them. He would like to say that the men who were in'the field with Colonel llobin knew be deserved the spurs that had been presented to him, for lie had won them.— (Cheers'.) Mr James Robin, Colonel Robin's father, entered the room 1.-.to in the evening, and his health. was at once honoured by the company. In replying, Mr Robin, who was received with loud cheers, expressed Ids appreciation of the compliment paid to him. Referring to the returned troopers, he said the country owed them a deep debt of gratitude— (applause),—and he was glad to bo able to say that, judging by letters he had seen, no colony's efforts had been valued more than the efforts of the lads of Xew Zealand.—(Cheers.) He believed that the War, sad reading as it made, would have made much Kidder reading if the colonics had not assisted.—(Cheers.) Refreshments were handed round during the evening, the Misses Murray acting as caterers. During tho evening vneal solos wore contributed by Messrs 11. Moss, J{. Falck, and •T. Swan: recitations by Messrs C. 1). Arlidgc and .T. Mills; and a pianoforte solo by Mr G, A, Can', who also acted as accompanist. , A verso of tho- National Anthem having been smnr, a vote of thanks was accorded the president, and the proceedings closcd. WELCOME IVY Till', HIGHLAND RIFLES TO TROOPERS DEATH AND .I'RASIiR.

Troopers A. 11. l'ealli and F. 0. Fraser, former members of the Highland Rifles, who relumed from South Africa by the Tongariro last Wednesday, were entertained by their old comrades at tho Excelsior Hotel lust evening. The corps v,'» 3 very strongly represented, and (hero were also a number of ex-members present to do honour to the occasion. A capital repast was provided Illicit Jl'Koiizie. and a* tho evening progressed this was done, amplo justice to. lioth Trooper Death and Trooper Fraser were loudly applauded on their entry to the room, and prior to the proceedings beginning tho pipes were played by two members of thn l'lunedin Pipe Band. Lieutenant Dempster, who occupied the '•hair in the absence of Captain Stoneham, proposed the tcast of "Tho King." ] : *ulcnant Barclay, of the Sydney Scotli:'i Rifles, who was among tho guests, proposed the toast of " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," and in doing so said they were all proud of what tho army had doito in South Africa. Thus wa? the first war in which the volunteers had come so prominently to the front, and he wa? quite sure the praise they had won had been fully deserved, and it made them very proud to know that they wcro of the same sleek as tho men who had fought so valiantly over there. The toast, which was honoured with a great deal of enthusiasm, was responded to by ex-Lieutenant M'Callmn, who said ho looked forward to the timo when there would not bo such a distinction made liet-WCGn tho volunteer and tho Imperial soldier. It had been shown what sort of quality tho volunteer possessed, and ho considered tho way the volunteers had stood by the Umpire was something wonderful.—(Applause.) The Chairman Baid the toast that fell to hi; lot to propose was one that gavo him an exceeding amount of pleasure, and ono that he was suro all would drink with gusto. Probably the occasion of theii "meoting wa? unique in tho annals of volunteering in Dunedin. It was true they had met and feted another who had been through the war in South Africa, but on tho present occasion the awfnlncM of war was brought heme to them When they saw their comrade, B:ath, who left them some 16 or 17 months ago in full bodily vigour, now return hearing too evident traces of having been in the thick of the fighting in upholding the honour, integrity, and prestige of the British Empire. But he (the chairman) was suro their friend was solaced by tho thought that bis loss had been sustained in fighting in the cause of the greatest Empire the world had known. It must not be supposed that ho (the chairman) was forgetting their comrade, Trooper Fraser; whom fortune hati smiled upon, insofar as freedom from wounds was concerned. lie had been through the thick of it, but hip lines, so to speak, had been cast in moro nlcasaut places, aud he caine back to them 'in all the manly vigour in wliieh ho left them; in fact, ne ( the chairman} thought both he and Trooper Beath were looking uncommonly well. Their two comrades in leaving their homes, with all their attendant comforts, and with the certain knowledge that they would have to undergo all the hardships and all the perils of active warfare, mado one of the greatest sacrifices it was possible for any man to make, and it is to recognise that sacrifice that they had met thai evening to show the returned men, to tho best of their ability, that they were conscious of the honour they had brought| on the Highland Rifles. They were proud of them as sons of the Empire, but more especially as members of the Dunedin Highland Rifle?. As to the services rendered by the second contingent, of which their comrades were members, he had the authority of Colonel Robin for Eaving that it waa owi-iir io the excellent work done and their rapid ivorchi'is through tho western districts of Cane Colony, around Carnarvon and Victoria West, that a huge rebellion, which was nuitc ripe, was nipped in the bud; a rebellion which, had it been allowed to eventuate, might have changed the whole course of events and been far-reaching in effect' that'the TJritieh position in South Africa might possibly not have been in the I comparatively satisfactory condition it now wns.

Trooner IJoath. who was received with loud chceiv, thanked those present for the reception they had accorded him, and proceeded to doserilw (lie places lie iiad been nt since he lolt Capetown. In referring to the Klip River engagement, lie mentioned that it was there that Colonel Kobin was «> conspicuous for his bravnry. Ho also referred l« Diamond Hill. Bai'lwrton, Bust™berg, and finally to the Hhenosier Kop ciigapomuut, where lie was wounded. The attack thero was made at daylight. and in tho lino «! tire over 25 New Zealaiidrrs'wen' down. They were 2H hours under lire?, and 1)0 was. after boincr wounded, taken to the hospital .it' Pretoria, where ho met with vorv good treatment. Ttconer Fewer, who was also received with oh"crs, said he was verv plca-ed to inert his old comrades. He and Trooper lion'li had been toralhev from the start to the finish, and when Beath pot wounded he would havo liked to havo attended him, but it was impossible. Heath's statement was his— whatever ho said lie (Trooper Fraser) said too, and whatever he did he (Trooper Fraser) did also. It was a fine thing the wav tho follows mot them (the returned trooners) at tho Tongariro.—<A Voice: "You deserved it.") Some night those present would hear him tall:—'no would then ','ive them bi" leclutw on this Hoc!' war.—(Loud laught-cr and applause.) Death,' concluded Trooper Fraser,

is done; be is no good at all. All the same, ho is a good fellow, and when ho is at a loss he has a friend, and he's got to como to him—that's Eraser.—(Loud applause.) Quartermaster-sergeant Mouerieff proposed "Absent Friends," in replying to which Piper Henderson said as long a.s there was a Highland corps in Dunedin Trooper Bcath would have a friend—(cheers)—and whatever they could do for him would not 1)0 done l for clarity, but because it was his due.—(Renewed cheering.) They were very pleased to see Trooper Eraser also, and glad to think he had come home whole. Ha referred to Troopers Gillies and Nichol (sixth contingent) and Corporal Ashton (seventh contingent), member? of tho Highland Rifles, who were still absent in South Africa. The Chairman raid that when they knew their comrades. Troopers Rcuth and Eraser, were coming back they divided to make them soniß presentation, to recogniso tho way they had upheld the reputation of Xcw Zealand an a whole, and the Highland Riles in particular. Tlicy had decided to give them a gold medal each, which ho would have much pleasure in handing over. When Captain Stoneliam came back he would put it to him that they must elect Trooper Beath an honorary lifo member of the corps. (Prolonged ohecring.) Ho (tho chairman) could also take it upon himself to say that they would present Trooper Heath with his full dress uniform, and he. could come on parade with them.—(Loud applause.) He then presented the medals, which boro tho inscription: "To Private A. M. Beath (or P. (). Eraser) by his comrades in. the D.H.R., mi his return from South Africa. 14/5/1901."' Tho Chairman then presented two meda'.i to Sergeant Gillan (one. Captain Stoneham's, for shooting, and the other to him as sergeant of No. 1 i«etit;n. which won tl'.a prize for drill) and one to Sergeant. Harper, sergeant of tlm section which came rccond and ran the other close for first place. lie also presented to Sergeant Gillan a, pair or field ginsscs, to lie belli by him as sergeant of tho winning scctiou for drill, for one year. Tlieso latter were the gift oE Quartermaster-sergeant JloncriefT and exLieutenant M'Callurn. Sergeant Harper proposed tho tcast of "Tho ex-Members," which was responded to by «x-Lieutenant M'Callum, ex-Lieuten-ant i' and ex-Corporal M'Donald. (Jiiar,.master-sergeant Moncrieff lhenpr» sented to Lieutenant Dempster, as representing tho company, a framed photograph ol the No. 1 winning team, given by that team to the company: and the remaining toast was "The Visitors."

During tlif! evening songs were aimsf by Sergeant "VVcjt, Sergeant Cameron, J'rivata Chishohn, Private Turner, cx-Privato Smith, Private Davidson, Corpora! Cutt, Lieutenant Dempster, and Sergeant Harper. Recitations ware given by Private D. Campbell and ex-Lieutenant. M'Callmn, while Privato Fraser danced and ex.Cwporal M'Don'ald gave nn anecdote. The singers wcro accompanied on tlio piano by Sergeant. West. THE JtKTCRXKD TROOPERS AND THE TiIANKSGIVIXG SERVICE. At tho St. Clair Congregational Church on Sunday morning tho Iter. A. Hodge, preaching from the text " In Thy fear will 1 worship toward Tlij* holy temple: Lead me, 0 Lord, in Thy righteousness," mado reference to the public thanksgiving ecrvico for tile returned trooper* as follows:—It fills one with shame and disappointment when he think* of the irreverent attitudo of the soldier? during the thanksgiving service on Wednesday last. Xot a man that I could see, bowed his head ov even lifted his hat when the solerrai word? were heard floating over the multitude, "Let us pray," but, to their shame, the dragmon did so. Do these men forget that all this time the hearths at homo have been bathed again and again with strong crying and tears oil their bshalf? Do they forget that every church ill the colony all this long, weary, anxious year has been steadily and faithfully praying for their safo keeping and speedy return, and that from time (o time .special mass meetings liave been arranged, when tho multitude sought God in an agony of petition for tliein? Can it be that- ithey forget that God is a real personal presence, and was insulted by t':eir omission to join in the thanksgiving on their nslialf: Oh, for moro of tho strong, courageous spirit to come, as the Psalmist: "As for mc, I will come into Thy house, and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple." They missed the opportunity. I thought I could hear Isaiah's choking sobs, saying again, "Hear, 0 heavens, and give car, 0 earth, for the Lord hath rpoken. I have nourished ami brought up children, and they havo rebelled against me. The ox knoweth bin owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. ' One's heart cannot refrain from weeping with pity and praying to God to have mercy. When will men know? When wi'l they consider? Will noising convipce them? Is someone answering us? Yea! No! Yet I seem to hear, "Neither will they bo persuaded if one riso from tho dead." COLONEL ROBIN FUNDS. Mr Theomin, the treasurer to tho Colonel Piobin funds, acknowledges the further following subscriptions: — To tho purse fund, Mr Alexander Burt, £5 ss. To the sword fund:—Per Mrs Gill, 9s; per Mr J. J. Connor (Criterion Hotel), 13s; per Mayor of Port Chalmers, £1 ss: per G. B. Bullock, XI 9s; per Da'.gety and Co.. 12s; per H. E. Hart, sa; employees of }!ir.p. Harris, and Co,, XI 2s; employees of Donald Reid and Co., lCs; employees Daily Times, 15s; eight friends, 8s; ex-Dunedinite (Wellington), Is; Dr Truby King, Is; R. Johnston (Queens•town), Is.

Colonel Robin and four returned troopers who are Freemasoiu wcro entertained by Lodge Celtic, 477. S.C., on Monday night. Addrosses of welcome wero dolivcred by tho R.W.D.G.M. Bro. Gore, the R.W. Grand Superintendent tho Rev. W. Ronaldson, and worshipful brethren G. L. Deniiiston, Dr Stcnhouse, and Dugald M.icphereon, and the address to Colonel Robin was presented by the K.W.M. John Craig. A banquot followed the meeting.

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