OTAGO EX-CONTINGENTERS' CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12831, 27 November 1903, Page 8

OTAGO EX-CONTINGENTERS' CLUB.

FIRST ANNUAL REUNION AND DINNER. The Otago Bx-Contingenters' Club held their first annual reunion and dinner in the Victoria Hall last night. The function was excellently managed, and proved a pronounced success. Over 100 contingenters and their friends sat down to tho tablets, the chair being filled by tho president of tho club, Surgeon-captain O'Neill. Among thoso present wero Brevet-colonel Robin, C.8., Alaior Jackson, Lieutenant D. A. Hickey, D.5.0., Messrs T. Scott (Mayor of tho city), 11. D. Bedford, M.H.R., J. H. Disking, J. A. Park, G. L. Dennisten, R. Chisholm, T. W. Kompthornc, T. S. Graham, D. A. Do Jlaus, J. P. M. Eraser, O. R. Smith, the Kov. D. Dutton, and others. Apologies.for absence were sent by l:k Kxeellcney tho Governor, Major-general Babington, Sir Joseph Ward, tho Hons. C. H. Mills and J. M'Gowan, and others. After the gentlemen present had donetheir duty by tho excellent dinner provided a more or less convivial programme was! entered on. Mr D. A. De Mans gave tho toast oE the " Army, Nuyy, and Volunteers," and, needless to say, it was received with enthusiasm. 'Brovot-colonel Robin, in reply, romarkca that tho best appreciation of the navy in this colony was shown by tho splendid ' manner in which the Legislature' had passed an increased vote for tho maintenance of tho navy in t-he-ie waters.—(Applause.) Mr; 'Do Maus iii proposing tho toast had referred | to the results of the recent inquiry into tho conduct, of the war, but in the whole of tho report there was not one word of reflection thrown on tho army at the working army.—(Applause.) C:)loucl Robin concluded by expressing the oninion thcro i never was greater need for the "British nation to be in a state of preparedness for war. Lieutenant-colonel de Lautour replied on behalf of the Volunteers. , Mr J. H. Hosfcing, in proposing "Our Club," made n felicitous speech, giving a humorous account of his own experiences as a Volunteer when a special forco of constables was sworn in at the time ot the maritime strike, or when the Russian scare occurred somo years ago. Speaking of the formation of.tho club, ho' said it was the outcome of a suggestion by Mr J. A. Park. -■"(Oncers,) The idea iiad -boon carried out well, and that the club was now a vigorous and a healthy institution was abundantly demonstrated by the' gathering that night. | Ho was very pleased indeed to see that so many of the contingenters who had gone away wero able to reassemble around tho dinner table to .have a smoke and a drink togethef, and he hoped that the club, which had begun so well, would last as long as there wero ex-contiiigonters left to meet together.—(Applause.) ] The Chairman,'in replying, expressed the I indebtedness of the club to the gentlemen ■of the Patriotic Committee, who had given I every 'assistance to the committee of the club.—(Applause.) Tho Patriotic Committee !■ had always been conspicuous in promoting ■ tho welfare of. contingents. They looked ' after tho contingenters before they went to active service, thoy remembered them at the front, and now thai all tho pomp and circumstances had passed away thoy had not forgotten them,—(Applause.) Ho hoped tho club would continue to prosper and be, as j Mr Hooking suggested, a livo and useful institution until the 'last member had answered the final roll call.—(Applause.) Mr J. A. Pari;, in replying, referred to the success of tho club, and also commented on tho generous support it had received from the Patriotic Committee. He concluded by mentioning the name of Major Jackson, who, although far from well, had turned out and made a point of being present that night. Cheers wero then given for Major Jackson, and the gentlemen present spontaneously rose to their foot and sang "Por he's a jolly good fellow" and toasted Major Jackson with enthusiasm. At a-later-stage in the proceedings tho Chairman presented Mr Park with a framed photograph of the officers of the club, and tho gift was appropriately acknowledged. Other toasts were "Our Guests," "Absent Contingenters," coupled with the names of Major Pilchov. and nursing sisters, "Fallen Comrades," "Tho Ladies," "The Press," and "Tho President." Songs were ijivon (hiring tho evening by Messrs G. C. Lyttclton, D. A. De Jlaus, Ben Stovons, tho Driscoll brothers (by permission of Mr Ben Fuller), G. C. Black, and P. G. Williams. Stokes's Mandolin Band played selections: Mr J. Braid and Mr L. S, Donald gave recitations; and Mr D. Cooko, in addition to playing the accompaniments, played a piano solo. The. proceedings were kept up till a fairly late hour.