RECEPTION OF TROOPER JONES AT WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 25

RECEPTION OF TROOPER JONES AT WAIKOUAITI.

Otu Waikouaiti correspondent sends the following account of Troopei Jones's welcome home from the war: — A very large concourse of people assembled r.r the Waikouaiti railway station on Monday evening to greet the returning trooper James Jones, of the fourth contingent, who was equipped by the residents when that contingent was seist off for seivice in South Africa. After bs'ng welcomed by the May 01, and heartily cheered, a torchlight procession was formed, headed by the band, which wended its way to the Mechanics' Hall, where the formal reception took place. The hall had been elaborately decorated with flags and evergreens, and was soon crowded with people eager to take part in the proceedings. Ovec the platform a motto, " Welcome Home." h"d been beautifully worked c.rt by lafss Cowie, the national colours predominating, and military emblems were displayed around the foot of the stage. ! The Mpyor (Mr Thomas Allcoek) sa: d they j were all assembled to give a hearty welcome to Trooper Jones. Some two yeais ago they had sent four fine fellows away in the first con- | tmgent; things got worse, and more help being needed in South Africa, more contingents had been sent from New Zealand. Other men had j left here, amongst them being the one in their midst, whom they had specially equipped for the " Dandy Fourth." The fourth had not been long in South Africa before it was known as the " Fighting" Fourth, for they had had plenty of fighting to do, and everyone was proud of their sehievements. Trooper Jones had done credit to them, and he was happy to see him Ifaere safe and sound before them. The Mayor thea shook hands with the trooper amidst great applause. 3lr. Harper followed with a piano solo, " The Sultan's gTand maTch," after which the Mayor lead apologies for absence from Mi T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., who regretted being unable to. be with them that m night xiwiag to having to be present at an educational debate in the House; from Dr Hislop, Mr H. Btickland, Sergeant-major Elliston, and S. Orbell (of the fourth contingent), who said he had received orders to present himself at Wellington without delay. He hoped Tiooper Jones would receive a cordial .reception, as he was one of the best men they had m the fourth. The Rev. J. Christie next spoke, find said being such an old resident he might be looked upon as representative of the place, but he wished some younger anaii had to speak instead as he was getting past the\tinie when the blood could be warmed up to give such a speech as the occasion demanded. He hoped the returning troopers would settle down as did Cromwell's soldiers, for aftei the civil war was ended in England they turned out tradesmen and settlers, and became the backbone of the country. He was sorry the wai m South Africa had not ended before otir gallant troopers had returned. Miss Christie sang " The march 01" the Cameion men." The Rev. B. Vanes thought the meeting ought to express itself in thankiulness to God that all the^young men we had sent from Waikouaiti had returned without any evil happening to them. No doubt they had gallant and easeful officers, but he thought they had been guarded over by God in answer to prayei. This war had be«n forced on us by the Boers, and it was founded on falsehood aad treachery. Many had been deceived in the so-called religiousness of the Boers,—faacy Kiugei .goaig about with his Bible under his aim, and then prostrating hiin«elf before God, making himself into an Elijah, sajing that God had bidden him go on with the war. He had ivot only deluded the poor, ignoiant Boers, but also, before this, such men as Gladstone, who was led to believe his religious prole&sions to be real. A song by Mr P. Wilson, " The sleeping ca/up," followed, with " The lads m navy blue " as a;i encore. Mr C. Duke (chairman of the Waikouaiti County Council) said he had been asking himself " Why all this wave of enthusiasm which had spread over the British Empire? Was it right?"—(Cries of " Yes."). Well, he wanted to s«e their enthusiasm now by giving three hearty cheers for Trooper Jones (this was done, and the audience sang "For he's a jolly good fellow"). He was glad to be asked to speak to the Waikouaiti people, for they had given proofs of their loyalty and patriotism; they had a histoiy which went back into the past, of which they ought to be proud—he might say they were " bucks." One day he was talking to Dr Watkms, of Melbourne, the son of the lrissionarv, and he had mentioned that at the Waikouaiti Mission House the first brick chimney in the South Island was erected. Eleven years ajo he had met Mrs Watkms, the missionary's wife, in Sydney, then an old l^dy of SO years af age, and had gone for a picnic with her up the Hawkesbury River. Talk about Mr Christie's men of youi g blood. Why, Mr Christie was not neai 80, and yet was talking of giving upl He hoped the young ones present would remembei the gathering that night, and be braced up by the remembrance m years to come so that they too would fight for their country 'f need be. Our fight was just, for it was fo. equal rights and for freedom of speech*

Mi&s Vslentine then sai.g ' Home, sweet he me." The Rev. C. Fiaer sa:a at times like these a wa\e of patiiotism waa passing over us, but it might wane. He hoped they would strive to cultivate a spirit of local patriotism which would not be nariow. We had a grand heritage, aud should endeavour to take an inteiest in our country's affans, stri\ ing to build it up in a traly democratic spirit In welcoming Ticoper Jones he hoped the commurt-.y would shew their thankfulness to God in if me way Mr Thomas Smith returned thanks on behalf of Mr and Mis Jones foi the \ civ kind way 111 which the public had welcomed their son. The meeting closed with God save the King " being sung lustily by all present Refreshments weie then seived out in the Borough Council Chambers While the hall was being cleared for dancng the bai-d played a number of selections in the open space outDancing w?s kept up with much spnit pfterwards till a late hour. 1 j I j I I j j