COLONEL BAUCHOP'S RETUNR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13077, 13 September 1904, Page 3

COLONEL BAUCHOP'S RETUNR.

Colonel Bauchop, accompanied by his Worship tho Mayor (Mr D. A. Do llaus) and. tho Mayoress, Miss Bauchop, Mr I'. W. I'latts (secretary Patriotic Committee), and the town clerk (Mr Alex. Leek), visited tho Port Chalmers District High School yesterday forenoon, and was received by Air James Rcnnic, 8.A.. B.Sc., tho rector, and tho staff. The scholars wero drawn up in tile school ground in tho form of. a hollow oquare, with tho iifo and drum band and ilio cadets in tho forefront. After a round of cheers for tho Colonel, tho licctor read apologies for their absence from-the chairman {.Mr J. M'Lachlan) of the School Committee and others, and aaid there Was no necessity for him to introduce thejr distinguished guest. They still preserved amongst tho treasures of the school a photograph which was. valued not only because in tlio group it contained wcro Samuel tlourlny and James Cadiman (old boys of tho school who had laid down their lives for tlw Empire), but also bccausc it showed them Colonel Arthur Bauchop as lie-was when a Sixth' Standard boy. it was a great honour to tho school to bo able to point to a scholar who had Wen so deservedly successful and so honoured as their guest, and it was an object lossou .to them all. It was in tho nature of a triumph for an old boy to conic back to his old school under tho circumstances that surrounded Colonel Bauchop's return. In tho nanio and < n behalf of tho school ho said, " Well done. Wo aro proud of you."—(Cheers.)

The School Band having played an appropriate air, .

The Mayor said they all knew Colonel Bauchop, who had won and deserved their best respect and highest esteem for the worthy manner in which ho had horno himself in South Africa—ho had acted like a true man and a Britisher.

Colonel Bauciiop. who was received with applause, said it was a peculiar pleasuro for him to l:o with tliem. In that courtyard whore tht-y wero standing lie had first learnt tho difference between "Bight wheel" and "Loft wheel," and it wis delightful to sco it all as ho had left- it years ago. Ho eulogised the vitality of the school as evidenced by the cadet corps, the band, and the excellent ctatf and fine body of children. Ho had always folt a keen interest in the school, and would continue to do so. After some interesting details of his meetings with old schoolfellows 011 the veldt, Colonel Bauchop concluded by asking that tho school bo granted a haltholiday—a request which, subject to tho approval of the School Committee, was duly granted, and three hearty cheers cxprcseeu t lie _ gratitude of the scholars. The Rector' then feelingly referred fo tho old boys of tho school—Samuel Gourlay, Charles Ward, Jack Salt-cr, and James Caslnnan—■who had fallen in the war. 'Ihe memory of the gallant dead was 1 then respectfully and silently saluted. Tho band then played tho classes hack to their rooms. Subsequently tho Colonel inspected the school cadets, and complimented them upun their drill and appearance. Colonel Bauchop and party then visited St. Mary s lioman Catholio .School, where they wero l-eeeivcd by tho Rf»:. Father Howard and introduced to 1110 teaching sisters. The Mayor then thanked the sisters for their kind reception, and complimented them upon tho efficient state of tho .school, and Jlr Piatt.? having congratulated the staff upon the excellent work of tho school, Colonel Bauchop briefly addressed the scholars. Ho expressed his interest in fhe school and the pleasure ho felt 111 visiting it. In South Africa he had experienced tho honour of meeting and fighting cide by side with tlio splendid soldiers of the Dublin Fusilcors, tho Connaught, Rangers, and other crack corps of tho Irish Brigade, for whom he cherished tho warmest admiration,—(Cheers.) Ho was delighted to renew his acquaintance with their school, and do-ired to thank lather Howard and the sisters for the opportunity they had given him of so doing.—(Applause.) Father Howard, in vepiy, said they all folt honoured by the-'Colonel's visit, for they were sincerely glad to sco ono whose high qualities of ifimd and heart and whoso manly spirit had won such distinguished recognition. It was a matter for congratulation that New Zealand was about to receive tho advantages of these qualities. Ho thanked tho Colonel for the soldierly sentiments lie had expressed in his address to fhe children. He was expressing the wishes of tlie scholars and of tho Catholic community when he hoped that Colonel Jiauchop s finc qualities would continue to bo recognised by his country and that ho would bo attended with ovcry success and every blessing.—(Loud applause.) The children then sang somo very pretty songs, and after cheers for fhe visitors ibo proceedings wero brought to a happy termination by the declaration of a halfholiday in honour of Colonel Bauchop,