RETURNING FROM THE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 25

RETURNING FROM THE WAR.

WELCOME AT DUNEDIN.

Troopers .W. Spain, fourth contingent (Central Otago), and A. Dixon, fifth contingent (Gore), arrived in Dunedin on Thurßday night by the north express. They were accompanied as far as Port Chalmers by Trooper Borlase. Along with a number of other men returning to the colonies they, left Capetown in the Victorian, and at Sydney took the Waihora to Wellington. A number of friends met the men on their', arrival in Dxmedin, and gave "them a hearty l welcome back. Trooper Dixon's father was among the number. Mr Lowe, assistant secretary to the Patriotic Committee, also tendered a greeting to the men, and saw them installed in comfortable quarters in Mr M'Kenzie's Excelsior Hotel. Trooper Dixon left for his home on Friday morning. Although invalided, both troopers are* now looking very well.

WELCOME AT PORT CHALMERS.

Trooper Borlase, of the Second contiiw gent, who was wounded in South Africa, re< turned to Port Chalmers on Thursday night, and was met at the upper railway station 1 ! by the Port Chalmers Naval Artillery, mi which corps he held the rating of a petty! officer. He was welcomed on arrival by I Lieutenant-commander Waters, who, with Lieutenant Dodds and Surgeon-captain Hodges, attended on the occasion, and was escorted to the Town Hall, which, despite the lateness of the hour, 11 o'clock, was crowded to excess by those desirous ot meeting an old friend. i The Mayor (Mr Do ilaus), who was in tliej chair, cordially welcomed Trooper Borla&e on his return to his family and friends. As! the hour was late, he said he would refrain! from making a long address, but would content himself by expressing the pleasure lit. and he was sure all present, felt at seeinr him once more in their miHst. He callec lor three cheers for Trooper Borla&e, an-. t'ie3e were heartily given, followed by three, more for Mr and Mrs Borlase, sen,, who,

•with their family, occupied eeais on th« platform. Mr E. G. Allen, M H.R.. said at that late hour of the evening he would not detain them by any lengthy remarks. He wished Trooper Borlase to understand that this was eimply an informal greeting. They would all have the pleasure of meeting him with the rest of the boys on a future occasion, when a formal reception would be given them. He must, however, be permitted to say that ' our boys" had fully done all that was expected df them. They had proved honest, brave, and manly, and had done al 1 in their power to uphold the prestige of the British race and the honour of the Empire.— (Cheers.) He cordially welcomed Trooper Borlase home again. — (Cheers.) Lieutenant-commander Waters testified to the great pleasure he felt in welcoming Petty-officer Borlase. He was a young man ;who was an honour to his corps, and without doubt one of the best men the Port Chalmers "Naval Artillery ever had. It dpok« volumes that the men of the Port Chalmers Naval Artill&ry took ruch a high

place in South Africa that they were apnoinled to the charge of a Hotchkiss battery—(Applause.) He asenred Petty-officer ' «orlase that both officers and men of his company were pleased to >aye him back.— (Applause.) Trooper Borlase briefly returned thanks. He assured them the New Zealand contingent had done all in their power to advance the honour of the flag whilst m South Africa. — (Applause.) The Mayor stated that on a future oceaeion Trooper Borlase would fully detail his South African experiences. His Worship then called upon all present to sing " God save the King," and this being done the meeting dispersed.

A WELCOME AT WAIKOUAITI. Active preparations for the reception of Trooper J. Townsend, of the first contingent, on his return from South Africa, have been going on (writes our (Waikouaiti correspondent) since Mon-

day. As it was definitely known he was < on board the express train on Thursday, ■willing hands set to work, and by evening tbe town, by means of evergreens, bunting, lanterns, etc., had assumed a very festive appearance. The heavy trains resulted in all • the trains being late, and a long and anxious < wait ensued, enlivened by the strains of the x local brass band, reinforced by strong sec tions from Palmerston and Seacliff. When at 9.30 the train appeared and the wellknown features of Trooper Townsend were < recognised, the feelings of the assemblage s found vent in hearty cheering. The hero of the hour was quickly hoisted shoulder high /fand carried to a trap in waiting, in which V*e was hauled by willing hands. A pro1 cession vat quickly formed, marshalled by /-Messrs Pinder and T. Smith, and, headed by {^4he band, marched to the hall, which was filed by over 400 persons, many bef< ang unable to gain admission. The stage - '■' ,-was beautifully decorated with flowers and draped with flags and festoons of red, white, _ end blue. The Mayor briefly opened the proceedings by welcoming the guest of the evening on ibehalf of the townspeople., hearty cheers being again given. Mr Harry Buckland, after congratulating the gallant trooper on his safe_ return, said -that his speech that night would be but a poor representation of his feelings. "Hope deferred maketh the heart sicV, but, in spite -of several disappointments and long waiting, 4he enthusiasm of those present had not cooled one bit, as was shown by the large gathering. When, at the beginning of the ' Boer war, patriotism ran high, and these brave fellows left all at their country's call, it was predicted that the pendulum would ewing and a reaction set in. Events had •supplied a complete refutation of that story. They had had great good luck in sending four men in the first contingent and getting them all back. Under Providence he thoroughly believed they had Colonel Robin to thank for the death roll being so small amongst our boys. Each one had to do his beat, and the spirit animating most persons was to do the best for himself, and an officer might sacrifice his men like counters in a game if by so doing he could gain honour and glory. Not so Colonel Robin ; he was of a different build. H-is kindness and humility of spirit kept him constantly on the outlook for the welfare of hie men. Colonel Robin was not appreciated half enough, and he repeated that to him they owed the safety of life and limb of their four boys. But in their happiness they must iiot forget to spare a thought for those aching hearts who could only look on pageants «f victory with tears. They must not allow the pride of that gathering to shut out sympathy to those who sorrowed in their midst for those left behind. Surgeon-major Coughtrey would like to congratulate them on sending so many of their sons to the Empire's aid. Waikouaiti Jiad sent more than its fair share. He congratulated Trooper Townsend on behalf of the mounted battalion of Otaco on his return and on the bravery of the old Hussars in the field. Trooper Townsend, he knew, was hard to kill. He still carried a brand inflicted by himself (the major). He hoped to see the rest received back soon a« enthusiastically. Mr Duke, chairman of the Waikouaiti County Council, who kept the house in a perfect furore of cheers and laughter during the whole of his speech, said he was present its chairman of the County Council to welcome the brave hero home in the name of £he county, and on behalf of the county to fhake hands with him. (Thi& he promptly did amidst uproarious cheer?.) He was de lighter to be present and hear the eions of welcome on every lip. Iso one seemed tired of waiting — at least, they did not say so. Nothing but words of joy. Townsend had been in many a tight corner, and brought home the marks of it; but he did his duty there. The Boers despised the IBritish, but when our brave boys went to assist the mother country they soon found out their mistake. He was glad to 6ee so many young ladies to welcome Jack home. *' None but the brave deserved the fair." He was the right, tough sort. The Rev. J. Christie had great pleasure in joining in a hearty welcome. They were «ntitled to thank God that success had attended British arms in South Africa. Although they must deplore the great loss of life involved, still war was unavoidable, and must be carried on. It was a great pity that the instigators could not be laid hold of and properly punished. Had the Boers been successful, there would have been a general scramble for the colonies amongst the European Powers, and we should have probably been left to the tencier mercies of Prance. The people owed their pre ent position of safety to the readiness of the contingents, and he thanked them for it. He Congratulated thp gallant trooper on his ie

turn to Waikonaiti, and was glad to tee him back. Tho Rev. B. Vanes said that Lord Robert, was the greatest oculist in the world. Many bad sympathised with the Br.ers, but Lord Roberts and his troops had opened their blind eyes, and they now paw r the Boer in his native ugliness of temper and spirit. Lets of people could not see any harm in the poor Boers or poor Kruger, but their eyes were now opened. Mr J. A. Townsend thanked tho audience for their hearty reception of his son. Hearty cheers were gnen for Trooper Townsend, the speakers, etc. ,and the meeting closed with " God save the King." Several musical items were interspersed with the speeches, and apologies were received from Mr E. G. Allen, M.H.R., Mr T. Mackenzie (member for Waihcmo, who twice journeyed up to Waikouaiti), and tho Rev. C. A. Fraer. While the room Was being cleared for dancing bountiful refreshments w ere sen ed to all at the Council Chambers by an energetic committee of ladies.

WELLINGTON, April 6,

The Governor has received a cable from the military authorities at Capetown stating that the Tongariro, which left there on March 31. has on boaid the following members of the various New Zealand contingents : — Colonel A. W. Robin, Major Jowsey. Captains Crawshaw, Chaytor, and Bourne, Lieutenants Ross, Tubman. Somerville, Blair, Kelsall, Fitzherbert, and Lewm, besides 291 of the rank and file. There are also eight men of the South Africa Irregulars.