THE CONTINGENT LUNCHEON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2404, 29 March 1900, Page 11

THE CONTINGENT LUNCHEON.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

The Organising Committee entertained the Otago and Southland section and the other members of the fourth and fifth contingents at a luncheon in the Agricultural Hall annexe on Thursday afternoon. The chair wa& taken by Mr T. W. Keaipthorne, chairman of the committee, who was supported on his right by his Excellency the Governor, Colonel Francis, and the Hon. J. M'Kenzie, and on the left by the Mayor (Mr R. Chisholm), Colonel Collins, and the Hon. J. G. Ward. Ihe company, which completely filled the spacious annexe, aleo included the following gentlemen : — Captain Alexander (aide de camp to Lord Ranfurly), Colonel Penton, Brigadier surgeon-lieutenant De Lautour, Captains Harvey, Stronach, Fulton, Davy, Walker, and Pringle, Lieutenants Arthur, Collins, Johnston, Thomson, Freeman, Morris, and Prnin, the Hon. G. M'Lean, Messrs J. A. Millar, J. F. Arnold, A. R. Barclay, A. Morrison, £. G. Allen, W. C. F. Carncrosp, and R. M'Nab, M.H.R.'s, A. de Maus, (Mayor of Port Chalmers), J. Ballintyne (Mayor of Gore), and members of the Organising Committee.

The invitations to the function were limited to Ministers of the Crown, the Mayors of Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Oamaru, Port Chalmers, and Gore; the City and Suburban members of the House of Representatives ; the military authorities ; the- commander and wardroom officers of TI.M.S. Pylados ; and the Otago Hussars' officers who v ere in charge of the training of the contingent* in comp. Invitations were also sent to the whole of the Otago and Southland corps, the Nelson corps, the Fifth Reserve, and 100 men from the balance of the fourth contingent, making a total of 375 men. -It was impossible to find accommodation for more than that number of men, and on account of want of accommodation the invitations had also to be curtailed to those named above.

The men arrived at the hall shortly after 1 o'clock, and about 25 minutes to 2 his Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Captain Alexander, put in an appearance, and was heartily welcomed, the Southern Band playing a verse of the National Anthem. The decorations of the interior of the building were on a most elaborate and effective scale, and evoked general comment of a highly favourable charactr. The design was c-irried out by Mr Kirby, of the Union Company, who deserves unreserved praise for his efforts. The central design had for its background a large Union Jack, and surmounting it were the words " God Save the Queen." On it was a large placard bearing the inscription — " Robin's Own, Cradock s Pets, Jcwsey's Boys, Dandy Fourth, Fighting Fifth, and thousands more to follow should the Empire require them." Underneath, the names of Roberts, White (with Ladysmith attached), and Baden-Powell (with Maf eking attached) appeared. On the right were the inscriptions " Scotland's Brave Boys, Gordons, Black Watch, Seaforth, and England's Heroes, Naval Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, Suffolks, Yorks." On the left, "Ireland's Brave Sons, Dublins, Inniskillings, and Connaughts." Other inscriptions littered the walls on all sides. A large Union Jack bore Major Robin's name, whilst another opposite bore the words: " The Queen's Cable : ' Her Brave Irish Soldiers.' " The names of White, Buller, Dundonalcl, " Fighting Mac," Kekewich, were all to be seen, besides the name of every j>lace in Otago which sent men. There was also profusion of national flags, the central design being surrounded with the English, Irish, Scottish, New_ Zealand, and American colours, while as his Excellency entered the Royal Ensign was hoisted. Altogether, therefore; the decortions were of unusual interest, and attracted a lot of attention.

After some attention had been paid to the edibles provided by the caterer (Mr Lean), the toast list was entered upon. The customary toast of '• The Queen " was received with the heartiest of cheers, and honoured right royally. „ -?! 10 Chairman, in proposing the toast of His Excellency the Governor." said : Your Excellency, Mr Mayor, and Gentlemen,— l think that New Zealand has been fortunate m respect to Governors, but certainly no previous Governor has taken a deeper interest in the colony's welfare than Lord Ranfurly.— (Cheers.) He shows sm intense desire to familiarise himself with the capabilities of the country by travelling over every part of it and ascertaining, through close observation, the wants of the people. — (Hear, hear.) This anxiety to ses for himself all that is going on and generally inspecting thing.* gives the highest satisfaction ,to the whole community. I therefore ask you to drink to the health and welfare of His Excellency the Governor. — (Cheers.)

The toast was received with musical honours and with unbounded enthusiasm.

The Chairman : Your Excellency. MiMayor, and Gentlemen,— Before His Excellency replies, and the important speeches of the day come on, I will ask your permission to make a few remarks on the business the committee have had in hand in respect to the fourth contingent of Otago and Southland. Afier the labours of the Patriotic Committee were nearly accomplished some few weeks ago it was deemed necessary on the part of the people of New Zealand to give further assistance in the way of sending more men and Worses to South Africa, and the Government decided to send a fourth contingent of 100 mon and horses. The Right Hon. the Premier being on a vi>it to Dunedin-, a deputation waited on him in respect to the matter, and as the three former contingents had been despatched from northern ports, the southern people made up their minds that the fourth should be despatched from Dunedin. if agreeable to the Government. The deputation to the Premier was to ascertain if this could be done, and if the Government could arrange for a transport. Mr Scddon at once told the deputation that the Government would find the transport vessel and do what they could to assist the committee to carry out the business. Having this assurance, the deputation informed the Premier that they would trouble tho Government as little as possible, but would set to work and get thf> contingent equipped and ready as soon as the transport vessel was here to take the mon and horses away. The contingent was shortly after increased to 150 men and horses, and we have now equipped 156 men and six officers—l 62 in all, and 15 remounts. Some flight agitation arose to divert a portion of the money collected for patriotic purposes to expenses in connection with the purchase of horses for the fourth contingent, but the Patriotic Committee promptly decided that no portion of that fund should be touched, but should be used as determined by the sub-

scribers. On our Organising Committee being formed I was appointed chairman, and our first worls was to find a secretary, and we at once conferred with Mr E. F. Duthie, who consented to act, and, I may say, that since that time he has almost lived night and day at the Garrison Hall. Having made this arrangement, the committee set to work in dead earliest, and within 24 hours we were in telegraphic communication with the mayors of boroughs, chairmen of county councils, road boards, agricultural societies, harbour boards, chambers of commerce, Trades and Labour Councils, and all other representative trades throughout Otago and Southland, and the response was much more enthusiastic than we anticipated. All sores and conditions of men were simply jumping over each other to lend us a hand, and have kept us well going night and day ever fince. Now, -with respect to my own position as chairman, I may say that my work has not been more, nor quite as much, as that falling to each other member of my committee who have worked with splendid will and resolve from the start. I may say that at the outset we pledged ourselves to stick unitedly together whatever happened, and that if through undue strain any member became a bit refctive the others would restore him to a submissive calm; and I have now to thank, personally, my good committee for their quid- i ance of myself. No set of men have ever ! worked together better than we have done, j and our hope is that notwithstanding trifling | adverse criticisms we have" given satisfaction — at all events we have tried to do so. I have now, by request of my committee, to thank all the subcommittees, and especially the Amusements Committee, who handled the floral fete with extraordinary success; also the theatrical and musical societies and lecturers, and tho generous contributing public, who have supplied us with cash, horses, horse feed, clothing, general wearing apparel, and a large number of nccos^ary articles free of cost, and to whom wo have, by the kindness of the pro-;", endeavoured to thank from day to day, but if we have overlooked aiiyone we deepl3 r regret it. Our especial thanks are due to tho prcbS, who have helped us in the most generous manner conceivable. Well, now. I have, also by committee's request, to thank the , ladies whose enthusiasm was simply boundless. — (Clieeri.) They formed themE?elves into committees, getting one or more of our committee as a connecting link end worked with a zeal inspiriting to us all. The question of nurse* with the ladies was a prominent one, and they made up their minds, thai our equipment world be incomplete without trained muw-i, and tho committee at once determined tn assist them in this matter. They set to work and in a short space of time collected some £1100, and we have sent to South Africa a band of eeven nursing sisters which for efficiency and general competency could not | be excelled . anywhere. To the Defence oJlicers and volnmeer staff officers who have given so much of their time, and also the j bandsmen who have so materially helped ud. ->ye acknowledge our great indebtedness. Sur-geon-major Coughtrey's help has been invaluable to us, he having given his full time to the necessary equipment of tho men. Now, brave volunteers, without your enthusiasm and earnest desire to serve your Queen and country our efforts would have been in vain. Your proffered services will be acknowledged to-day by the powers that rule this section of the British Empire, and I take this chance of conveying to you the gratitude of the committee to your noble response to our call, and express the hope that you will endeavour to keep up the reputation the first contingent has called forth from the highest authorities of the South African battlefields. When we asked for 150 men, and 500 re-r-nonded, our anxiety began, knowing that disappointment must follow to so many ; but the necessity of a fifth contingent has taken a large proportion of the disappointed applicants for the fourth contingent, and our troubles decreased. This unmistakable display of hiteiise loyalty of ourselves and the other colonies is an object lesson, and will add additional power and strengthen the devotion that binds us to the Great Empire to which we belong. , Another thing, it also suggests to us that, whilst we are helping the. Empire abroad, we should further help it* by protecting ourselves at home, a"vtd prepare for any emergency that may arise. The present Government of New Zealand have an * opportunity whicK no predecessor ever bad, and no successors will probably ever get. to take steps for New Zealand's defence. — (Cheers.) As to the cost, this should not frighten the most timid, and if it did. no heed should be paid to people who could not see the necessity of this pressing want. Each and all, willing and unwilling, should be met with a tax to cover the expenditure. Volunteering should be encouraged by the State, and every man and boy should be equipped and trained to arms. A very large proportion of the male poulation would be delighted to pay the cost of equipping both themselves and their boys, and those who could not afford to do so should be equipped at the colony's expense by the Government. A census should be taken of the male population capable of handling arms, with a table heading for those who would volunteer to pay and another heading giving the probable cost of equipment. — (Cheers.) Then, when arms and ammunition are received, register all deliveries and appoint sufficient competent drill sergeants to make the .holders of the weapons efficient, and in a couple of years we should have a splendid army of defence. With regard to the complete defence of harbours, and the heavy protective works it would, of course, be necessary to get the best military engineering talent available to prepare plans and estimate the cost. I There is nothing to be frightened abovjt, — we can afford to grasp the whole thing and have it effectively done. It is to be hoped that the Government, having the country at its back, will not pass this golden opportunity. There is a tide in the affairs of men — we are i on the flood, and if we do not take it we deserve to be blotted out. Lastly, the committee desire to thank the Government for the valuable advice they have given us from time to time, and for appointing the officers we recommended to the fourth contingent. We now feel that the men will be in charge of thoroughly reliable and, able commanders, pud express the hojie that the men will be careful at all times to merit the commendation of their officers. — (Cheers.)

Kis Excellency, in replying to the toast, fciicl : Mr Chairman. Gentlemen, Officers, and Men of the Fourth Contingent and the Fifth Contingent, — Tn the fir&fc place I must thank the chairman for the kind manner in which he proposed this toast. He truly said that I take a deep interest in the welfare of this colony. — (Applause.) But he did not ■say what is the cause — that I take the deepest intarest in the welfare of the colony's sons wherever they may be — (cheers), — especially when they have gone forth to- do their duty in South Africa. Months ago, I Paw some lines in a paper which I will read to you. These lines appeared somewhat prophetic of what would take place. They were written

long before war wae declared in South Afrfcai They were as follows: — --'Hold Britain, hold thy creed of old: Strong foe, steadfast friend, And, still unto thy motto true, Defy not Iwt defend. Men whisper that our arm is weak, Men say our blood is cold, And that our hearts no longer speak That clarion note of old. But let the spear and sword draw near The sleeping lion's den, Our island shore shall start once more To life with armed men. The writer of those words little know how soon they would come true. Directly the occasion arose the shores of England did bristle with armed men.— (Cheers.) Not only the peasants, not only the agriculturists, not only the factory hands, but the eons of the noblest in Great Britain came forward ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with those from the soil. (Applause.) And all did their duty equally together at the seat of war. If you who are about to set forth for South Africa evei\ come across the Imperial Yeomanry, you will find in its ranks as troopers some of the first blood of England. — (Applause.) When the necessity arises the sons of the Empire do not take time to think as to what will be their position. They do not say, "We cannot go unless we get command." No, their words were, '' Take us. We will do anything, but let us do something for our Queen and for our country." — ■ (Cheers.) Now, this war may be put down by vsome as a most unfortunate war. No doubt many have suffered considerably. But I look upon this war as one of the most fortunatev/ars that lias ever taken place in the history of the Empire. — (Applause.) The creed of the Empire has always been that under the British flag there is no slavery. Our creed has always been equality, and we insist also on equality foi the British who are living in the Transva/il. — (Applause.) When I say that this war is a fortunate war, it is because that Great Britain has shown the world at large that in the time oE need all her colonies will come forward as one man, that the strength of the Empire is ribt.the strength of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and little Wales only, but it is the strength of every place which is under the protection of the British flag. — (Cheers.) Our army wayS truly a small' army in the past. Our reserve also in the mother land may be a small reserve — may be supposed to be inadequate, considering the vast armaments of the other European nations. But that is not our real reserve. Our real re-serve is the unlimited loyalty and love of the people of Grpat Britain's colonies for the mother land. It is from those colonies that the Empire in the time of its necessity can draw, not as we 1 are sending on this occasion a mere handful of men so to speak, but a vapb force. What is it that New Zealand could do? We decided to send 500 men in these contingents. What is the result? Two thousand would not cover the number who were anxious to go. — (Cheers.) I only mention this to show that if necessity arose England could send a big number into the field. and at the same time protect" her shores. We have here 80,0C0 or 90,000 men who are able to fight and bear arms, and if you take that and the numbers that are available in the other coloniep you will find 'that Britain's true reserve is indeed colossal. If; is one which all European statesmen should take to heart when they think to attack the lion in his den. — (Cheers.) We have. now the gratification of knowing that it has been stated by tho Prime Minister of- England that in this matter we will brook no interference. — (Cheers.) The New Zealand Crown Ministers have forwarded a cable to the Secretary of Slate for tlsfe Colonies entirely sympathising in this view, and saying that they will support it in every respect. — (Cheers.) We have in our Empire at the present moment but one discordant note. It is a matter which might be passed by in silence, for it emanates from a few people who talk loudly, and who consider that England's difficulty may be Ireland's opportunity. But in Ireland I—and1 — and Tarn an Irishman — (prolonged cheers), — I -Jnicnv that the 1 feeling is not what it is supposed to be .throughout the land. How does her Majesty obtain such' fine troops from Ireland if it were so? — (Cheers.) How does her Majesty obtain recruits from Ireland? And in the Imperial Yeomanry Ireland is going to le represented, while there are thousands in Ireland ready to come forward if necessity arises. — (Cheers.) This discordant note, then, comes from a very small section of the Irish, people in Ireland — a very small section ; but still«it is a discordant note on our ears. The Irish people all over the world are of different views to that small section living in Ireland. I have here, a cable sent in reply to tha cable forwarded by the Diinedin Irishmen to her Majesty. -The Quean commands me in it to cordially thank the Irishmen of Dunedin. for their kind and loyal message, which has given her Majesty much pleasure. — (Prolonged cheers.) I thank you cordially for the way in winch you have received this toast. — (Cheers.)

As His Excellency resumed his seat three cheers were given in his honour, and also three cheers for Lady Ranfurly. /

The Hon. J. M'Kenzie proposed the health of" The Fourtirand Fifth Contingents." He knew he would be echoing £he sentiments of everyone present when he said the toast would be received by all in that spirit which had been shown throughout the length and breadth of the colony in sending forth contingents to fight the battles of the motherland.— (Cheers.) They had only to look at the men before them to see at once that the British, generals would have to admit that it really appeared that, although the men in the previous contingents were first-class, the colony was keeping the best of its men to the last. — (Applause.) The mfen who were going oub from the colony to strike a blow at the enemy were from all classes of the community — from those who were well off, and from those who were only small settlers in the interior of the country. He read the other day of a battalion, of volunteers in the old country who were failed 6n parade for the purpose of ascertaining how many of them would volunteer to go to South Africa to do battle for the Empire. The officer in command called on those who were prepared to go to come forward three , paces, and the whole battalion stepped out. — (Applause.) It was not too much for him to say that, so far as the volunteers of New Zealand and the young settlers and the Rough Hiders were concerned, they, too, were all prepared to go to South Africa if the necessity should arise. — (Cheers.) The difficulty, as his Excellency had said, was not to find 500 men, but to choose from the largo number who came forward those who should be sent to the front, and the position of the Government and the Defence department was, not to find men for service, but to. make excuses to keep a certain, number from going, who were willing and fit to go. — (Applause.) That was a fact that did credit to the colony, and it would be fully appreciated throughout the Empire. — (Cheers.) While acknowledging the martial spirit of our young men, those who were staying behind should not be forgotten. — those who had put their hands in their pockets and provided for the equipment of the men. — (Cheers.) We were in reality find*

ing for the British Government a new army — an army that, five or six months ago, the Home Government did not know they had within their dominions — an army that would bring them to recognise that in times of trouble they could always depend on the colonies to render them valuable "aid, if necessary. — (Cheers.) To the young men of tho fourth and fifth contingents he would say they must still look on themselves as boys of New Zealand. Every success they achieved would be a gratification to the people of the colony, and if misfortune should overtake them they would have the sympathy and condolence of every family in this young land. — (Cheers.) On behalf of the gathering, he wished the contingents success and fortune in the trials they might have to go through, and with the toast he coupled the name of Colonel Francis. — (Cheers.)

The toast was honoured with the utmost enthusiasm and the lusty singing of " For they are jolly good fellows."

Colonel Francis, on rising to reply, was received with loud cheers. He thanked tho gathering for the flattering manner in which the toast had been proposed and received. Perl aps they did not deserve- all the good things that l.ad been said about them, but, as the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie had sttid, the material Mas there, and it remained for " the boys to prove that they were worthy of the many favourable remarks made concerning them. — (Cheers.) He fully recognised the grave responsibility he had undertaken in accepting the commaiid of the contingent, but he trusted that, with the help of God and the united aid and loyal support of hib omesrs and the confidenco of the men, he would be able to carry out his duties to the satisfaction of his superiors, and with credit to the contingent. — (Cheers.) It had been said that it was a creditable thing to see men coming forward freely, offering their services to arsist the cause of the Empire, but for himself he considered it was something better that the people should come forward as they had done from one end of the colony to the other, and equip the various contingents for Fcrvice on behalf of the old land. — [Cheers.) For many years volunteering was carried on in this colony under great difficulty. It got no support from, the general public; in fact, it was rather the other way about, but for all that the men fought on until the time had now arrived when they could show that, despite the trials they had to encounter, they were able to take up a position at the front and hold their own with the best of the Imperial troops, as the first contingent under Major Robin had already done. — (Cheers.) They were considered absent-minded beggars, no doubt, but there were very many of them who would not, and who could not, forget the dear ones they were departing from, and if those who remained behind could do anything for those sorrowing- ones it would be a matter for which the men in khaki would ho very grateful. — (Applause.) He was xevy pirated, indeed, to see tho magnificent gathering", and he trusted tbat when, the men returned they would be accorded a welcome as hearty as ihe send-off they were that day experiencing with so much pleasure. — (Cheers.) He once more thanked the gathering for the way in which the toast had been proposed and honoured. — (Loud cheers.)

The Hon. J. G. Ward, who was welcomed with cheers, proposed the toast of " The Honorary Officer?," with special reference to the commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the Otago Hussars, who did the selection of the Otago Contingent and gave their services in training the men of both contingents. The toast also .included the members of the Medical Board, who gave their services in examining the men. The officers included were — Captain and Adjutant Stronach, Captain Price, Lieutenants Morris, Pram, Freeman, G. W. M 'Donald, Captain -quartermaster M'lndoe. Veterinarysurgeon Snowball, Brigadier Surgeon-lieut-enant De Lautour, Surgeon-majors Coughtrey and Will, Surgeon-captain Fulton, Sergeants Fox, Grieve. Wood, and Morice, and Corporal Millar. Referring to the work of the non-commissioned officers, he said it was recognised that if those officers were good and capable men they were the real backbone of the British Army — (cheers), — but if they were bad they were the curse of it. They were the connecting link between the officers and the men. They were in charge of sections of companies, and upon them devolved a very heavy responsibility — a responsibility which, he ventured to affirm, was recognised by the young officers the colony was now sending forth with the contingents. — (Applause.)- Personally, he had every confidence in them. He believed they would co-operate with their superiors and at the same time always keep in touch with the rank and file, so that the proper discipline that was for the Melfare of the army might be maintained as it should be. — (Cheers.) He wished to add to his few remarks that ihe numerous difficulties attaching to the sending off of the men had been admirably surmounted by the Organising Committee, and ho would take that opportunity of stating publicly that from what he had himself seen of their work they had gone into it whole-hearted, and had done a vast amount of useful, work — work that would result in the despatch of the contingents in a way that would be a credit not only to this part of the colony, but to New Zealand as a whole. — (Loud cheers.)

, Lieutenant Pram, in reply to the toast, referred to the part non-commissioned officers played in mi army. He urged upon men to loyally support, respect, and obey their non-com?., and he recommended these officers themselves?, as he had no doubt they would, to worthily and ahly fill their positions. Ho paid a special tribute to Major "Robin, under whom he had served for 16 years, and dwelt, upon thf» importance with which that officer viewed his non-commis-sioned officer 5 :.

His Excellency did not think it was right they should leave the room without proposing the health of the chairman and of the committep. In doing so^ he spoke of the success which attended the labours of those gentlemen. Ho added that while attending the parade that morning" he was greatly impressed with the fine 10l of horses and men comprising the contingent.

The toast was cordially honoured, arid as the time was limited the proceedings were brought <o a close with the National Anthem and the Maori war cry of the contingent.

The Southern Band played selections during the luncheon.