BACK FROM THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12448, 3 September 1902, Page 6

BACK FROM THE WAR.

n,bv

SOCIAL TO LIEUTENANT HICKEY. Tho mcmbprs of tho local Police Force —or as many of them as tho exigencies of tlio service would allow—assembled in the library of the Central Station last night to welcome back to New Zealand Lieutenant Hickey, who two years and a-lialf ago rosignod from the force' to go to the front. Lieutenant Hickey went to South Africa as directly representing tlio force, the office™ of Otago and Southland furnishing him with equipment and a horse-. The. fact that he joined as a trooper, left as a sergeant, and returned as a lieutenant* is evidence of the ability he has displayed as a soldier, and tho Police Force are pardonably very proud of their man, who has acquitted himself so very crcditably. The 'gathering last night indicated this quite unmistakeably. Chief Dctcctivc Campbell, who occupied the chair, in proposing Lieutonant Hickey's health, said lie had followed his career with tho greatest interest, and it seemed as if he always came out on top. Ho never asked lib subordinates to go whore ho would not go himself. He had always been in the front, and in consequence had got riddled with bullets, notwithstanding which, however, he kept at it until ho (the speaker) was afraid the Book had given him up as a bad job.—(Laughter.) He expressed the hope, amid applause, that Lieutenant Htcke.v's services would be suitably recognised by the New Zealand Government and by the Imperial Government. Chief Clerk Dales and other members of the force also expressed their satisfaction at seeing their old comrade back again. Chief Cleilc Dales drew attention Jo the fact that Lieutenant Hickey was ncj; the t'amo powerful man as when ho went away, tho succession of wounds ho had received having incapacitated him. With the chairman, lie expressed tho hope that- Lieutenant Hickey's efforts at the front would be suitably recognised aud full'provision made for his future. Needless to «ay," the toast of Lieutenant Tlickey was honourc'l in the very heartiest fashion. Brave men arc' usually modest men, and Lieutenant Hickey proved not. to bo an exception. He> said bo bad only done his duty at the front, and in doing it lie had tried to worthily represent the men..from whom ho came. Their attendance that night indicated that tliey;. appreciated what he had done, and that appreciation more than repaid him for tlio few hardships lie had experienced. Lieutonant Hickey Was prevailed on to relate some incidents of the war, and he proved himself an excellent raconteur. His stories and the songs and recitations contributed by others present made the gathering' "very enjoyableindeed, and tho necessarily rather limited time passed away very quickly. Information was received last evening by Colonel Robin that the Montrose will not come south, having been ordered to proceed t,:i Sydney. The Ot.aoro men of the Tenth Contingent left Wellington at 10.30 last evening by the steamer Upolu. She can rearcely reaoh Lyttelion in timo to catch the express train for Dunedi^.