CLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 33

CLUTHA.

September 10. — There a good muster of tht; Ulutha Mounted Rifles at the drill on Saturday, ovei 70 being on parade. 'Ine movements were under the ctuection of Lieut.-cormnand-ing Penny-cock, the division leaders baiug Lieutenants Watt, Smith, and Seigeynt-Major (Jrigoi. Alter the drill a meeting ot the corps was neld. to elect a captain ni x-lace of Captain Harvey, killed m action m Soata Amca. Lieutenant Pennycock was unanimously chosen to fill the vacant captaincy, and Sergeant-major Gugor elected to the vacant lieutenancy, botli decisions being leceived with much favour. The corps decided on the motion of Surgeon Captain Fleming, to record on the minutes their appreciation of their late captain, and torward a message of condolence to ins relatnes. 'Ihe question of a permanent memorial was then discussed, p.ncl the corx^s fell m with the decision of a public meeting held the previous evening, that a fit ami pioper memorial would be the erection in brick ot a hall to be called the Harvey Memorial Hall, where an orderly room could be set asidr. for the use ot the corps, and a memorial tablet and other mementoes of the late captain be preserved. The tioopeis and ofneers who spoke to the question made feeling leferences to the hard fate which had rendered the pioceedmgs necessary. Captain Harvey was a man he*d in the very highest esteem byhis corps, and seeing it comprised every class in the community — professional men, farmers, tradesmen, and other?— it could never be s?id that he met his men, of whatever standing, except with courtesy and geniality. That he was proud t>f his corps and his corps proud of Him was an accepted fact, for he * possessed that peculiar trait of character m being able to ' make men like him so they learned to like their work." He was more than a popular captain, for deep down in the heart of every tiooper who came in contact with him there was a leelmg of admiration and respect, and many duties were undertaken at camp time cheerfully and willingly, because the captain had hinted at their necessity. However, he met a soldier's death, leading on his men in fai-away South Africa, and as a soldier and a man, he will dwell long in the memory oi those who first were sworn in as members ot our Clutha Mounted Rifles'. During the meeting it was mentioned that Tioopei (ieorge Mitchell, of the first contingent, would be returning m about a week, and arrangtLQems weie made to give him a fitting welcome. Honoiary Seigeant-Major 3. W. Wilson and Sergeant Fleming announced their intention to meet him st the Bluff, and would welcome him back m the name cf his comrades of the Mounted Rifles Further arrangements weie also completed for tho subsequent proceeding.. The camp of instruction will be held ? bout the third week in October. Altogether the prospects of the corps' are mobt n sy, and the large numbei of recruits who navo lecently been sworn m seem to be of good nvtal, while the shooting of some of them -s \eiy creditable already. The corps came cut hst year third in the list of all corps m voileyliring, and this year an attempt should be made to come out on top.

Weather.— Glorious for "spring, and on all sides oats and wheat ar,e being sown, vuch ground in splendid condition.