SEACLIFF'S WELCOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 27

SEACLIFF'S WELCOME.

Trooper Walter Morrison was accorded a

A social to welcome the local returned tioopers was held on Friday evening last in the large social hall oi &ea.cUff Asylum. Ike ,

hall was handsomely decorated for the occasion by Mr E. Barnes. In addition to those con-

l'.octecl with the asylum a large number of friends frora the sunounding distuct were presejt. The programme opened with the playing by the orchestra of " God save the King," in which the audience joined heartily. Mi Bucklev then rendered, in excellent btyle, the so'o " Our boys' return," the chorus of wli eh was sung hy the company. The four men — namely, Troopers Campbell, Cornish, Duffy, and Smith — were the.i waimly -.\elcomecl back on bcnalf of the asylum st°ff and the district, anc! Dr King's own pleasure at their return was expressed, and his wish that they v.oulcl again take the;* places on ill? permanent staff Dr Falconer staled thit the troopers hsd only done that which thej. nl! expected Kiid knew the}' would do — nameiv, their duty, but he felt certain they had done it to the best of their ability, without flruchmg, even though subjected to pilvation pr>d peiil. Three hearty cheers were then given for the tioopers present, an:! fov Troopers Findlater and Leckir, who aie still at the front. Troopei Campbjll, m re spending, thanked the audience for the warm welcome given that night, end expressed his thankfulness at being again amongst them. He said that though they had some hardships, still they often had some good times as well, and he would not mind going back again to South Africa. Miss Coughjsn then recited -" Our Boys " in a capable manner, and n song by Mr C. Herbert received an encore. Miss FmdW sang " Doroen " veiy nicely. The Rev. J. A. Torrance (.chap'ain), in a felicitous speech, stated that he had been in complete accord ] with the war from its outset, and had hp be^n i a young man he would certainly have volun- j teerecl for service. He was proud and happy to be present that inght, and to act his part in extendii.g a warm welcome to th^ returned tioopers. Then followed a comedietta, entitled " A Happy Pair," by membeis of the Scachfi Dramatic Club. Mits Coughlan as Mrs Houneton, anc l Mr Barnes as Mr Houneton deserve tho greatest praise for their efforts, both receiving a recall befo~e the curtain. A very ! enjoyable dance followed, pnd was brought to j a close by the singing of " Auk] lar.g s.yne." I The following is a copy of Lieutenantcolonel Davicfc's farewell orders ls-ued on board the Tagus at Port Chalmers: — "It , is with very great regret that I realise that tlie time has come when 1 must say goodbye to the fourth New Zealand regiment, wl-ich I have had the honour to command . in the field for nearly 12 months, and also 1 the fifth New Zealand regiment, with which I have been associated during the campaign, , and which has been under my command , ch'ring the voyage from South Africa. I have to thank you one and all for the cheerj ful and willing obedience and assistance to I oiders, which has made> my duties on board a pleasure to me. By your devotion to your duties and cheerful endurance under inclement weather, my command throughout the campaign has been m?de very plessant to me. and should the necessity fpr your seri vices in the battlefield again 'janse, I can i wish for no better fortune t*an to again , command the same gallant men. As your | commanding officer. I must say good-bye, I though I trust that I s'v.ll meet yon all in New Zealand. May you find your' iriends well and happy, your private affairs prosperous; may you one and all enjoy the \fry best of health and good luck in the future.— (Signed) It. H. Davies, Lieutenant-colonel, commanding fourth New Zealand regiment." In the Hyde Schoolroom Ifist Friday evening a social was tendered to Trooper Chatles Annett. The room was crowded. Mr P. Kmney, C.C., occupied the chair, and refeired to the good work which the New Zealand tioops had done in South Africa. A good programme of songs, recitations, speeches, etc., was gone through. Trooper Annett returned thanks for the reception, saying that it recompensed him for all the hardships he had gone through. The ladies, as usual, had provided a hbeial supply of refreshments. I At Flag Swamp on Friday evening a most successful social was held in honour of Trooper Jones. Mr Kennedy's woolshed was comfoitably filled, in spite of the wet night. During an interval in the dancing Mr R. Hagan, in j a few well-chosen remarks, presented Trooper Jones with a handsome watch, gold albert, and Maltese cioss bearing the following inscription: — "From the residents of Flag Swamp, Goodwood, and Waikouaiti districts; presented to Trooper J. Jones, on his return from Transvaal war; July, 1901." Tiooper Jones humorously replied, stating that it was worth coming all the way home to see so many friends and get such a handsome present. The following contributed towards the evening's enjoyment: Mes-srs W. Brown, W. White (Merton), and R. M"Clintock. Refreshments weie provided on a liberal scale, and done ample justice to. Dancing was kept up with much spirit until 3 o'clock in the morning. In confirmation of the statements we have already published regarding the excellence of the equipment of the boots, clothing, etc., of the Otago and Southland members of the fourth contingent, one of the returned offireis- .nforms us that there was nothing like it -.-i South Africa, and that Imperial officers often asked admiringly where -t was got. It will be very giatifyiug to those firms and manufacturers who supplied portions of the outfit to have this testimony recorded as it will also be to Surgeon-major Coughtiey, who made it his special duty, at the cost of a great deal of time an r l labour, to see that the kits were as cornXalete and serviceable as possible. At Ra-veiisbourrle on Wednesday evening the local boating and football clubs gave a reception to Corporal James Low, of the fourth contingent. The boatshed, 'n which the returned soldier was asked to met his friends, was tastefully decorated, and there was a large assemblage to do honour to the guest. During an interval in the dancing programme the President of the Boating Club (Mr T. Ross), after reading a letter from the Rev. Di Nicho'son apologising for his absence, in a happy speech welcomed Corporal Low, and on behalf of the Boating suid Football Clubs, presented him with a gold Malte&e cross, suitably inscribed. Corporal Low, having suitablj' replied, refreshments were handed round, and dancing was then resumed, and kept up with vigour into ' the wee srna' hours." The function was most successful, all present viemg with each other in showing attention to Corporal Low and his returned comrades, who were at the gathering Among the company was Lieutenant G. W. C. M'Donald, to whom the members of the contingent became greatly attached whi'e they weie cpmweri at Foibury. , Trooper Eoboit Ciav.-roid. o. the fouith Xcw

Zealand contingent, was accorded a hearty welcome home by his old comrades in the Globe Hotci on Thursday evemrg. There was about 49 persons present, who sat down to a sumptrous rcpact jirovided by Host J. M'Ewan. After jiul.ee had been done to the good things prov cled a long toast list was gone thiough, pleasantly uiteispersed with songs and rscitaj tions. Mi Dugald Paterpo.-i occupied the chair. I Coiporal Goodman, of the fifth, and Troopers ', Biugess and Sanderson, of the fourth, were also present. During the evening Mr Mulloy, on I bfrhail of tho^c present, in a neat and laudatory 1 sppech, presented Trooper Crawford with a ' m!\ or-mounted pipe and v walking stick, suitj aVy inscribed. Mr D. W. Patersoir replied to | thr presentation on behalf of Tioopji Crawj U ret The follow.ng toasts weie Ihen gi/en and f'uly hoj ourcd —" The King, Queen, ard I Royal Family ': Tiooper Crawfoid, ' p:oposed by the Chi'iiman ; " The Visitors," proposed by Mr D. M. Campbel'. su.d responded to by Troopers Burge&s and Sanderson, and Mr E. Vivian (on behalf of xhe othev visitors); " The Host and Hcbtefa&," proposed by Mr A. Hedge. 'A lengthy prog.amnie of patriotic songs and recitations was gone through by the Vivian brothers (four, who pre a host within themselves), and Messrs D. M. Campbell, J. Jack, J. O'Connor. C. Besan, D. Hill (two it(ms). Macdonald, W. Skerry (encored), and D. Paterson. Great crcd't is due to Messrs ,E. Vivian, D. W. Paterson, and J. O'Connor for the manner >]■ which the dinner was arranged The smgLig of "Auld lang syne" I biought <o a c.ose a most successful function. j A number or the friends of Mr and Mrs S. , G. Smith assembled in the North Dunedin I Drillshed on Thursday evening for the purpose oi giving a welcome home to their son. Trooper G F. Sm th. just returned fiom the Transvaal. Be*-id°s Trooper Smith, who was the special guest of the evening, there were present Corporals S. L. Jones and J. M'Lean, and Troopers R. Simmers, West, and Monk, who shaied with their comiade Smith t^e hearty greetings and waim congratulations of the assembled friends ! on tijpii safe return to thpir homes. j A meeting of the residents of South Dunj edm and St. Kilda was held in the South Dunedin Council Chambers last evening, his Worship the Mayor (Mr Todd) m the chair, to take steps to entertain the returned troopers residing an both boroughs. On the'motion of Mr Cuttle, it was resolved that the returned troopeis belonging to the boroughs of South Dunedin and St. Kilda be entertained at an eailv date. Tlie Mayors of tho two boroughs, and Messrs Osmond and Cuttle, of South Dunedin, together with two residents of St. Kilda, weie appointed a committee to carry out the necessary details. The town clerk of St. Kilda and Mr S. J. Lyon were appointed hon. secretaries of the committee. Mr Lister kindly offered io do the necessary printing to the amount of £1 gratis. On the motion of Mr Hodges (Mayor of St. Kilda) it was resolved that a committee of ladies be appointed to be associated with the General Committee. A large numbeT of people assembled on the wharf at Greymouth yesterday to give the returned troopers a hearty welcome. The town is gay with bunting. The tioopeis weie banqueted in the evening. The Westport returned troopers were taken on an excurs-on to Capo Fou'wmd, and after a procession in the evening; were cnteitamed at a social, the proceedings rt which were of a most enthus.astic character. Trooper Swanwick was tendered a conijjl> i i mentaiy social at Wetherstones on Friday evening (says ths Tuapeka Times), when practically the whole neighbouihood tivrned out to honour the leturned soldier. The proceedings throughout were chaiacterised by the greatest enehusiasm. During the evening Trooper Swanwick was presented with a handsome gold albeit and pendant, suitably inscribed.