INVALIDED SOLDIERS.

Otago Witness, Volume 26, Issue 2419, 26 July 1900, Page 29

INVALIDED SOLDIERS.

BETURN OF FOUR NEW ZEALANDERS AND TWO N.S. WALES MEN.

UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL OF THE PAPANUI. -

A CORDIAL WELCOME,

Few persons in Port Chalmers anticipated on Sunday, morning _that anything of import was to disturb the Sabbath, stillness; but shortly after 8 o'clock news reached the Port that a large steamer, evidently one of the New 4 , Zealand Shipping Company's line, was off the heads, and as the only expected arrival of that line in New Zealand was the Papanui, it was conclusive it must be her. Added to this, the lighthousemen at the Nuggets at*"2 p.m. on Saturday had wired that a large two-masted steamer, with a yellow funnel, was passing north, so, although Wellington was the first port of call of the Papanui, it was evident that vessel had arrived at Otago Heads for some unknown reason. All doubts were soon set at rest by the arrival of the vessel alongside the ocean steamers' wharf,, under the charge of Pilot M'Donald, and it speedily became known that besides a large number of passengers she had a number of invalided 'members of the various New Zealand and New South Wales contingents on board. With remarkable activity the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr D. A. De Maus) was on the alert, aiid the moment the big steamer came alongside the pier the enthusiastic mayor was amongst the first to greet her. His Worship was accompanied by some of his councillo-s, together with the officers of the Port Chalmers Naval Battery, Lieutenant-commanding Waters and Lieutenants Dodds and Churchill. Hardly was the ship made fast than -he Garrison Band (who, although called hastily together, responded manfully) marched down the wharf playing " Soldiers of the Queen." The ship having been boarded by the health officer (Dr Hodges), and all hands duly inspected, was granted pratique, and after the necessary delay, those whose duty took them on board were allowed to do so.

.The appearance of the seven invalided soldiers on the bridge deck was the signal for a universal burst of , cheers, and when his ■Worship the Mayor, accompanied by the exMayor (Mr John Mill), the volunteer officers, and other gentlemen went on board, a further display of enthusiasm took place. It is, almost needless to say that Port Chalmers ■was ablaze with bunting, some gentlemen going so far as to hoist the flags of the three countries of the Union. In every poseibie point of vantage bunting was shown.

The visitors were cordially greeted by Cap tain Mayoss, and as soon as the invalid contingent men (a fine lot of fellows, by the way) made their appearance on the bridge deck the band played " Rule Britannia.' Amongst the visitors on board the Papanui shortly after her arrival were several prominent ladies, and one and all seemed to take air earnest . interest in the return of our gallant boys. After a little time the invalided men were arranged in line under Lieutenant Oanavan.

! His Worship the Mayor said that, on behalf of ihe people of Port Chal- . mers, he was heartily pleased to greet them on their return to New Zealand. No doubt many of them felt vexed at not being able to participate in all the events of the war; but every one hero was assured they had done their utmost, and no doubt had they been permitted to stay would have seen the conclusion of this strife. At any rate, they had honourably and manfully performed their duties as men and soldiers, and were entitled to the highest honours their country could give them. He was pleased to welcome them back to New Zealand, and j to extend to them the right hand of fellowship. ' It was men like them who built a nation, and New Zealand' might well be proud of them. Mr John Mill, as an ex-mayor, said it was needless for him to review the glorious work in which the members of the contingents present had been engaged. It was enough for them to know that at the call of duty these young men had left their homes, position—everything, indeed — to prove their loyalty to the Empire. That they had served the Empire was most; apparent, and everyone present would unite with him in expressing their pleasure at their return. New Zealand, indeed, had reason to be proud of tl.e contingents she had sent to South Africa to aid her Majesty's forces. That glorious lady— God bless her — would, he felt, 'be gratified at the loyalty and devotion exhi-bited-by her subjects in every part of her vast dominion^. The patriotism, the devotion, and the honourable conduct of -the colonial forces was in his opinion an object lesson to the world, and would show to other nations what real patriotism, meant. Ho would point out to them that the greatest patriot in Now Zealand was their present Governor, the Earl of Ranfurly. The Gorernor had in every shape and way pince his residence amongst them endeavoured to popularise Imperial sympathies. That he had done so there was no doiibt, and the wisdom of his doing so was apparent. What could be more beautiful than the practical sentiment as present obtaining in the public schools — teaching' the children, patriotism and' to salute the flag? He knew for a fact that in every school it was the custom daily to sing patriotic songs, and thus educate the minds of the children in a propor love for their country. — (Cheers.) Mr Mill also utid a graceful- compliment those "-members of the" New South Wales contingent present. Lieutenant Canavan, on behalf of the officers and men of the contingents present, thanked his Worship the Mayor for the very pordial welcome which had been accorded to them. He might add that he had been associated with one well known to them all — namely, the late Sergeant Gourley, who had been his division sergeant at New Zealand Hill.— (Cheers). The National Anthem was th'en played, and three cheers were heartily given at the instance of Lieutenant Canavan for 'his Worship the Mayor. The officer of the New South Wales contingent is Lieutenant Vernon, who is attended by Trooper Mills, of the New. South Wales Mounted Rangers. The New Zealand men are: — Lieutenant Lindsay, first New Zealand contingent, but now of the 7th Dragoon Guards; Lieutenant Heather, second contingent; Lieutenant Oanavan, first contingent; Trooper W. A. Saunders and A. B. Saunders. The returned soldiers then went ashore, and were entertained at lunch by his Worship the Mayor at the Port Chalmers! Hotel. Amongst the other gentlemen present were Captain Mayoss, Mr Bullock (manager New Zealand Shipping Compairy), Councillor Cable, Lieutenant-commanding Waters, Lieutenants Dodds and Churchill, Mr F. W. Platts and several others. An excellent lunch was provided and discussed, and, at its conclusion, His Worship the Mayor proposed the toast dear to ,all British subjects, " The Queen," which was enthusiastically drunk with appropriate honours. " The Volunteers and the Army " were next proposed by Mr F. W. Platte, who, in a very happy speech, remarked that their presence that afternoon in that little obscure place brought together a body of men who one and all revered the glorious memories of the Empire. Mr Platts pointed to the great efforts made by the volunteers', of the colonies, who had exhibited their loyalty fey promptly responding to the mother country's call. — (Applause.^ It was a splendid fact that they were able to welcome back amongst them such heroes as Lieutenant Canavan, who was at New Zealand Hill when poor Sergeant Gourley so gloriously fell. Lieutenant Canavan might feel assured that there was not a man in Otago who would not feel proud and honoured to shake hands with him. Let them also remember a smart and intelligent officer. Lieutenant-colonel Robin, whose actions had won him the applause of all and every one, while Miey had present amongst them a gentleman whose conduct ?poke for itself, he alluded to Lieutenant Lindsay, who had been appointed to a commission in the 6th Dragoon Guards in recognition of his gallantry. — (Cheers and musical honours.) Lieutenant Canavan said he fully appreciated the gracious manner in which the toast had been greeted. He was not, however, he might state, the officer in charge at New Zealand Hill, but simply led his troop to the attack. Sergeant Gourley, whose loss he deeply deplored, was his right-hand man, being his division sergeant, and no man could have performed his duties, in a more capable and efficient manner than Sergeant Gourley had done. Lieutenant Canavan added that he had had the pleasure of having all but two of the Otago men in his troop, and could say that they behaved' splendidly. — (Applause.) He might add that as he had been one of the officers invalided he felt bound to say he had been splendidly treated at the sanatorium. While on the passage from the Cape to New Zealand Captain Mayoss had left nothing undone to make them comfortable. He (Lieutenant Canavan) could not say so much as to the manner in which the troopers had been treated, but he had no doubt all that would meet with strict inquiry. Lieutenant Lindsay briefly returned his thanks. Trooper Saunders said he had been in nearly all the hospitals in the Cape. He could not say ,much about the army hospitals. The army reserve doctors (civil service) with the sisters and St. John Ambulance were most kind, and did everything in their power to aid the sick. He pointed out the discomforts the unfortunate invalids suffered in being convened from the front by rail, and gave

some painful illustrations. He added that, while in Capetown he had made the acquaintance of Mr St. Leger, the managing director of the Cape Argus, and, although much against, his will, that gentlemen had extracted from lym a full statement of hospital treatment as he had seen it. And he believed he should be called upon to give evidence before a Royal Commission on the subject.

Lieutenant Canavan said it might interest them to learn that amongst the men approaching convalescence when he left were Mitchell (of Balclutha) and Orbell (of Waikouaiti), both suffering from enteric fever. They were at Wynburg Hospital, recovering slowly, and might be expected by the Karamea.

The toast of " Our Guests " was proposed by Mr John Mill, who alluded to Captain Alayoss's long and faithful services to the N.Z.S. Company. That gentleman had ever been a favourite with the (ravelling public, and the present instance only added another wreath to his laurels. Mr Bullock, the local manager of the company, was also amongst them, together with Mr V onion, and he could only say, for the Port Chalmers people, they were cordially and heartily welcome. — v (Cheers.) .

Captain Mayoss was extremely obliged for the compliment conferred upon him. ' He was pleased to see so much enthusiasm displayed here, but he could assure his Worship and the Patriotic Committee that the people in ihe old country keenly watched their doings, and were extremely gratified and proud at the conduct of the colonial people. Mr Bullock congratulated his Worship oil tho great success which had attended this impromptu entertainment. He thanked them, on behalf of the New Zealand Shipping Company, for the compliments they had been paid, and expressed a hope that such good teelings should ever exist. The National Anthem was again sung, and .as some of the contingent were desirous of proceeding to Dunedin, the proceedings were brought to a close. The band, stationed in the centre, of the scjuare, played patriotic airs.