BACK FROM THE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2473, 7 August 1901, Page 28

BACK FROM THE WAR.

ROSLYN TROOPERS 1 RECEPTION. A large audience assembled in the St. John's Ilall, Tloslyn, on the occasion of a social ! tendered to ihe troopers from the dist rict recently returned from South Africa. Mr L. Kemnitz (deputy-mayor) occupied the chair, and he was supported on the platform by Mr R. Chisholm, Canon Mayne. the Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland, Captain Haig, and Captain "Washer (Wakari Rifles). The returned troopers were with difficulty induced to come upon the platform, the Chairman stating that they would rather face a. horde of Boers than a, peaceful meeting like the present one. The Chairman apologised for the absence of his "Worship the Mayor (Mr Tlios. Mackenzie), ■who was in Wellington on parliamentary duties; for Trooper "W. P. Davidson, who was ill; and for Trooper T. W. Cubitt, who was out of town. Captain Kicolson and the rest of his contingent were on the platform, and they were glad, to see them back safely.. The Chairman then called upon Captain Nicolson (fourth contingent) to step forward, and amidst deafening applause proceeded to i pm upon his breast a golden Maltese cross, . upon which was inscribed " Presented to Captain Kicolson by the inhabitants of the j Roslyn district upon his return from the Boer i "War, 26th Jujy, 1901. ' Each of the troopers in j turn was called to the front, and amidst re- ' peated ovations the Chairman pinned medals upon the breasts of Quartermaster-sergeant Ellis (first contingent), Trooper "W. E. Bunting (fourth contingent), Trooper J. D. Hawkes (second contingent), Trooper J. S. Thorn (fifth contingent), Bugler A. M. Don (fifth contingent), Trooper C. N. A. Cornish (fourth contingent), and Trooper J. A. Millar (fifth contingent). . SOCIAL TO TROOPER WEST. I The members and ex-members of the Dunedna Rifles, more generally known (unofficially) as Burt's Rifles, assembled to the number of about 60 at the Provincial Hotel on the 26th ult. to do honcui to their comrade, Trooper West, of the fourth New Zealand contingent. A bountiful cold collation, provided by Mr Gebbie, was done ample justice to, and the various toaots honcared were " The King," " Our Guest, Tiooper West," " Buit's Rifles," and " The Firm." Captain Buit, who occupied the chair, ia proposing Tiooper West's health, said he wa-3 sure that all present were delighted to welcome their comrade and shopmate, Trooper "West, back from the war, and said he had pleasure, on behalf of his shopmates, in pres&ofc/iEg Xiooj,^ W«at with a. iiaatls^me silver-

' Tioopei V. t IM, v.-ho was received -wit', piolomjid chceur'.', kjs veiy much gratmed to hsv Mich ,( welcome. The cair.iaifm hs^l not ' li^en bj any means a p.cmc. They h*d unfortunate y landed at Bf-na, to meet fever: thc-j hrfd marched thiough Rhodesia on bully ' beef, v<ith occasional'}-, as a special treat, tinned bicon, wlncb they ate with spoon*. The Impnuil aut'iont es look a log time to decide whether lluy \\ouM employ co'oinn's but once Lpcured they took just a^ lo;:g to let them go As for then officer, he felt sine that no bettei nn-i than Co'one] Da' :es ever ieft our shoies, pinr could a more ponn'cu oifioer than Lieutenant jM^clnnnicl by foil ml anywheie. He tlia iked (hem heartily for ti.en ha.-dsome p/csent, which he. would piuc d-, a io'xeii of iheu j,oo r l\viil. WELCOME TO TROOPER MOORE. Tiooper J. Jiojie, a member of the fourth j contmg' nt, was accorded a v.e'come so;»sl by J the residents of Cavisliam on Friday evening m the Cavcjbham Hal!. There was a gooJ pHcudt'i:ce. Trooper Mcore wrs accorded a very hearty leceptjon on Ins appeirpnce. The Xfa\or (Mr T. K. Sidcy;, who was in the chair, lead apologies from Mr A. Momson, M.H R., S. M. Harrison, R. A. Abei, ard Tioopers Lear and Goodman. Amoag tho.se who occupied c ..eats on t*ie platform were Trooijeis Moore and Tennent, Captain Loasby, C?.yj;ain Ecsther, Rev. D. Putron, Messrs J. F. M. Fiaser, W. J. Mcoie, W. R. Cole, J. R. Thornton, and Imperial Veteran Yates, M'Farlanj, and Scho-f-eld. lii? Mayor said they all knew the object for which they weie there that evening. Vnen it was. decided to send a fourth contingent i j Cavers' 1 am was asked to do something, and i Caver&liam rose to the occasion as creditably I t.s aii j one could lia\e wished it to do. Ihey ! \ Lsil i-urchased five horses, and had equipped i f hiee mmm m Of the me i, Trocpcr So-rubon had i b'-en killed. Quartermastei-Sergeint Christie j bvd ]o:npd the seventh contingent, e.uu the ' third member Aia.s on the platform. — (Applause.) i 'ihey were met to give him a hearty welcome to i his native country. j The Rev. Mr Button and Mr J. F. M. Fraser also spoke. '-In© .Mayor, in making a presania-tion of a go!d uiUqlz and chain and pendant to Trooper -Ntooie, said he ■could hs\e wished that she three men they had sent could have been pre- ! sent that evening; but that was not to be. J He had been told that the late Trooper Soren- | ",on had been -well liked, and he was sure, from i iLe little knowledge he had of him, that such vavud be the case. He (Mr Sideyl thought it ' would be a gcod thing to write to Quarter-master-sergeant Christie congiv^u'phjig him on his promotion, and to tell him he was not forgotten. Trooper Moore had gone through the campaign, and endured all t!ie hardships he had been called upon to face, and now he was back .again. Those who saw him must admit he was loo&ipg better than when, he went away.— (Hear, hear) He had pies sure in publicly welcoming Trooper Moore back to Caversham He had a small xnoniei to there on the table, which the citizens wished presented to "him. They asked him to look uuon the present in tke lip-ht of the sentiments that had been exnressed that evening;. — CAt>T)ra-use») The inscription read. "Presented to 3 TTooper Moore, Fourth New Zealand Contingent, by the Citizens of Caversham. in recognit'on of military services in South Africa, 1900-1901." j The audience rose to their feet and sang [ " For he's a iolly good fellow " very heartily. Trooper Moore said lie would like to thank them for theiT present. He had not come I ba-ck with the V.C., not with any stripes, but simply as a trooper. He could simply say he ' hs>d done his best to represent Caversham. — (Hear, hear, and applause.) Mr W. J. Moore (father of Trooner Moore) i said he felt very grateful for the welcome they had extended to his son. He was thankful for | his safe Ttturn. RECEPTION TO SERGEANT-MAJOR : j M'LEAN. ; A recept on was given to Sergean~t-major L. i . M'Lean. a member of the fifth contingent, who ■ returned home by the TagU3, by the City Fire i : Briga-de, of which he is a member, in the Fire ' . Brigade Hall, on the 28th ult. The place was , profusely decorated with flags and a nice little ; repast had been prepared for the occasion. ' j Th-ere were probably about 50 gentlemen present, and apologies were received fiom no less than 14 invited guests, among whom were Colonel Webb and Crs Carroll, Lawrence, and i Ma:tl*nd. 'The Mayor (Mr G. L. Denmston) j presided. j The toast of " The King " having been ' honoured, the Chairman proposed the toast j of '" The Governor of New Zealand," and ' in doing so said that no man had taken j a nioie sincere interest in sending away and | receiving ba-ck the contingents than h's Excellency had done. Mr Pprk, in proposing " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," said that the care of the returned meri should not stop | at their -welcome home. He thought the dis- | tricts which had sent them should look after ; their welfare in the future. In referring to the ] cadets, Mr Park said his Royal Highness the Duke of York had been v«ry much impressed ' i with the cadet corps he had seen during his I visit to New Zealand. The Patriotic Committee j were distributing the funds at their command I amor.g the deserving cases. A mistake had been made in sending a Hrge sum Home to the Lord Mayor, but Mr James Mills, -who was at Home, was in hopes of getting on the trail of it. Several hundreds of pounds had been sent out from Home, and they were not aware of this fact until Mr Mills unearthed it. The toast wa» responded to by Lieutenant- ' colonel Robin and Brigade-suigeon Lieutenantcolonel De Lautour. Captain Mitchell proposed the toast of the i < evening, "Our Guest, and said he wrs only '. sorry that it had not fallen into other ' ; hand 3 than his, becaiise lie felt he j 1 could not do it jubtiee. Captain Mitchell 1 read tiie following letter from Captain ' Jackson, dated at Johanncbuig, May 18 — i "My Dear M'Lean — On the eve of ycur de- j parture foj New Zealand I v.ant to Bay a word ' or two to express my high opinion of you dur- -, ing tke period you ha-\e bce,i =orving under t my command. As a sergeant-major I am per- t fectly sure you are unequalled in the legnnent, t and your excellent ser\ices have rendeied my t pos'tion as a squadron leader a most coaifoit- ( »be one. I hope on your lotarn home that the t New Zealand Government will offer you sonis £ gcod and permanent nuL,t*ri appoiiitmei-t, and. t i

my utmost. I am writing to Colonel Welib about you, and I shall be glad if you. ' will show tins letter to him.' 1 Captain Mitchell then pioceedpd to refer to the ia-i 1 piomo'io.i ot Si rgpaiit-ma]oi M'Lean. ' ill ring the 16 or 37 months he harl neen away. 1 he had had a t'oop m the field Since Isovenbci 7 ast up to the time he lef* South Africa, for New Zea'.ird He v. a c oftced a coniiiiiso ou m the sevc'it'i contingent by Major To ibonljy, the coinmandu of that contingent, and ako l)y Captain Jack--o:i, but home ties made him lefiise it. It would no doubt be admitted on all hands that, Seigeaat-rnajor M'Lean must have shown exceptional ability to have won the position he occupied. They hrd met that e\ enng to do hoi.oiu "to h'm, and he iCpptam M'tc^elM felt he v,-as ex'^-es= ng thn , u ,h o f a'l when he hoped that Sergeant-majoi M'Lean j might long be spared They had auoiher gnc^fc ; piecent— a 13ci— (irdicatmg a Boer fi-g su=- ! per.d^J on the v.ali), and the histo y of "it Mas i that it was captured by Captain Ja.k&on and 25 picked men of tixe Otago and Soutli'and section. , of th<-> Tifth contingent. «z the Vaal R:\er, oa the llih of January. The paity had been tod tk.*t ? Boer fhg was flying on a sore, "o Crjtam Jackson and the mea went out to t?V.e -t down, but on rca;hi"j; the store it had dissnpoare^, but was found m s. curboprd and taken po=os-ion of. Se'gsant-major M'Lean, s-a:d Captain Mitche'l, -n couchis»on, h-,d pioved himself a credit to the cojt.-igent, lo the city, to his parents, and to the City Fire Bngadp The toast w*-- d-unk with great enthusiasm R-nd inu = icf ho'.ou --, and cheers wne ? i\en ior the segcau*- i:nior, vho briefly lephed. WELCOME SOCIAL AT TEVIOT STATION. Corporal Rumble, a member of the fourth contingent, and a lo<-n;<" ei-nployee on the Teviot estat», \i^= p ■'t-^-ts.nrd at p welcome ?ocia! b3' Mr ana Ho ingecnr and the emp oyees on the st::t c.i, o" Sf turd^y e\enmtj; 'ast. There was a large at:e. daaice, and after a bountiful suppei — provided by Mis Scnmg<-our and her staff m t!ie laige dining hall— was done ample justice to, Mr Scrapgtour presented Corpoiai Humble, on behaif of the station employees and himself, with a handsome double god n-ib^- 1 chpm ut<Ji pendant, suitably inscribed. He s? kl all knew the object they had in meeting that evening — /lamely, to mark their appreciation of Corporal Jce Rumble as a nan ai:d of his pluck as a- soldier. They would remember that sojne 16 months ago there was a call for volunteers to proceed to South Africa to uphold the reputation of the Empire, and many of oui you :g and adventurous spirits, heroes Jike unto those who have mae'e Britain what she is. responded to the call, among thera Tj^i'Kg their hcncnrecl guest. His fellow ernp'oyees detenniiied ta give him -a proper outfit aufl equipment on leaving, and he (Mr Ekjrimgeom) £ays him the well-known hack . Teviot/ Being well equipped and mounted, they expected him. to give a good account of himself; no-r weie they disappointed. From, time to time they heard of the actions of the gallant fourth, culrninatirg at Ventersdorp, when Trooper Pramble with his owni hard captured a Boer gun, and was therefore promoted to the rank of King's corporal. They were naturally very proud" of him, of his actions at , the front, and of his modesty since his return; I and "it was at opce determined to mark their appreciation in a substantial manner by presenting him with a souvenir from Teviot, which, they hoped he may long be spared to use. Corporpl Rumbte, who was received with proi longed cheers, said it gave him great pleasure to be back again amongst his old friends and comrades. He was very pioud of the manner in which he had been received, ar.d of th» ' handsome present they had made him.^ He I could only say he haa tried to do his duty. They must excu?e his shortcomings in thisIme, as he would sooner face a Boer gun thaax make a speech.— (Hear, hear, and applause.) Afterwards a number of toasts were duly honoured, and musical selections and songs ' w*ere rendered by the Misses Scrungeour and I Linton and Messrs Anderson (2), Croft, Wilson, ! Pearson and others. A very pleasant evenii-g; 1 was brought to a close by Mr A. Cameron, one of the oldest employees, calling for three cheers for Mr and Mrs Scnmpeour, which were 1 heartily responded to by all present. EECEPTION TO TROOPER HARRIS. A splendid reception was given to Trooper Hams, of Kvebum, in the large hall of the I hotel on Wednesday evening. Trooper Harris I was a member of the fourth contingent and 1 was represented ps belonging to Gore, tie is I a son of Mr Harris, of Kveburn. Trooper 1 Harris's name had got m xed up with that ot i T'ooper Harris, of Oamaiu, and his return I home to Kveburn was quite a surprise to his parents and friends in the district. His quiet and unobtrusive manner made him a general favourite, and his friends and associates determined that his leturn should be marked in. I some more public manner than in stealing I ouietly home, creeping to the house behind 1 the hedges in order to surprise his parents. ' The large gathering was representative of ft 1 wide district of the Mamototo Plain. The large j hall was converted into a veiitable fairyland, I being decoiated with flags, mottoes, and everI greens, the work of the ladies and young men | of the district. The reception took the fc;m. | of a social and dance. Speeches were contributed by Captain Logan, of the Otago Mounted Rifles, and Mr Bannerman, schoolmaster, and songs by Mrs Bannerman and Mrs Griffiths, the Misses Bpnnerman, Crutchley, Coombs, Hams, Morgan, and Mr F. Hams. The accompanists were Misses Banneiman and Harris, the" M C. Mr Wallace, and the violinist Mr Douglas. I'ittir.g lefeience was made by Captain Logan to the services of Trooper Hains's father, who had scived in India a"d in the Maori war. Tiooper Harris replied to the many kind remaiks made m leference lo his services m a chaiactenstic and hun-o.ous speech, greatly to the dehght oi h.s many friends. The residents of W^ipi'ii (ncVc-i a social to Tiooper W. M. Browii, ot" the? feu. h contingent, on Friday evcmi-g, 2C'h. the Mil hv> g tastefully decoded for the occasion. Amoncsfe thrse pve-ent were Troopcis J. Bicvn <.Du.iiedm) and Milne (Pukerau). The Chu-nui (Mi M. Thomson) dehveied a speech en.ogi-. .£ the woik done by the lomth co-iiii.-ent m South Afuci. A musical piogra'iime was then piotcedsd with, consisting oi a uoiia o\eitui«

mounted nialncci care, which he hoped would ai.\thuig that I can do foi you to fmther >cnr seive as a i.jfucnio o. this bapi y occasion. interests jou may rest assiued that I will do

by Messrs Collins, Melrose, and White, and songs by Miss A. Fitzpatrick, Messrs Murtagh, Morris, Beath, and Greenwood. At the conclusion of the concert Trooper Brown was the recipient of a gold chain and purse of sovereigns, in presenting which the Chairman referred to the respect and goodwill entertained by all towards the guest. The gift would remind him of the appreciation of the donor? of the hardships and privations endufed by him. ■Trooper Brown feelingly responded. Dancing was then indulged in till the early morning.

Sergeant William M'Kay, of Palmerston, who •erved with Kitchener's Horse, was accorded * hearty welcome on his arrival home on Monday evening. On stepping from the train he was escorted to a buggy, which was drawn to the Town Hall by a number of his old comrades, preceded by the local band. A social was afterwards held, when speeches were made by the Mayor (Mr J. C. Gow) and several others. A short programme of songs and recitations was gone through, and refreshments were provided by a number of ladies. During the evening the Mayor, on behalf of the inhabitants of the district, presented the guest with a purse of Bovereignß. Dancing was kept up until the early morning.

The funeral of the late Sergeant Moffett, of- the fifth contingent, took place at Invercargill on "Wednesday afternoon. The volunteers and* members of returned contingents turned out in strength, while there was a large gathering of frlftnds of the family. The contingent to which deceased had belonged acted as pall-bearers, and the service at the house, as well as that at the grave, were conducted by the Yen. Archdeacon Stocker. The wreaths included a beautiful one bearing the words "Asa mark of respect and esteem from comrades of the fourth and fifth contingents." The Garrison Band played Beethoven's " Funeral March" most impressively as the cortege ,was moving through the streets.

It is reported (says the Southland News) •that tnere is considerable dissatisfaction among members of the fourth and fiffli contingents at the action of the authorities in retaining the- rifles of members. The position is that the men, who went through Rhodesia, were equipped by the Rhodesian Government, who provided saddles, clothing, and rifles. As the weapons were not supplied by the Imperial ov New Zealand Go- \ r ernment3 the men who were allowed to bring them to the colony by the Tagus looked upon them as their property, which would form in after years valuable mementoes of the South African war. In this, however, they were disappointed, for orders •were given that they were not to be removed from the steamer. Probably inquiries will foe made as to why they were deprived of th© rifles and wbat is to become of them.

Trooper J. Moir, of the fifth contingent, was tendered a welcome social at Ratanui on his return from the war. A programme of vocal »nd instrumental items was gone through satisfactorily, ana at an interval in the proceedings the guea,t waa presented, on behalf of his friends, a gold albert and pendant. A darice was held afterwards.

Trooper Dryden was the guest it a welcomeTiorne social given by the residents of the Milburn district on Wednesday evening last. In spite of the inclement. weather the attendance was large, amongst those present being Trooper Howatson. Addresses were delivered by Messrs H. M. Driver (who presided) and J. Somerville, wliile a number of musical itema were rendered. In the course of the evening Mr Driver presented Trooper Dryden with a gold sovereign case, suitably inscribed, on behalf of the residents of the district. The inevitable dance brought the proceedings to a close. At a meeting of the committee of the exHussars' Association, held yesterday afternoon to arrange preliminaries in connection with the smoke social to Colonel Robin, C.B. (exSergeant James Hislop presiding), it was decided that the secretary call a further meeting for Monday afternoon, and that all ex-membera lie requested to attend. The various members of committee present reported that, having interviewed a, good many of the old members, they had received assurance that the function would be attended by a large and representative gathering. A pleasing function took place in the Anderson's Bay School last week, when Trooper Sanderson was welcomed back from the Transvaal. Immediately after his arrival the young men of the district determined to give him some tangible expression of their admiration for his patriotism in fighting for King and Empire. Though the object was not generally advertised, enough was soon raised to purchase a massive gold albert, to which was appended a "Maltese cross, suitably inscribed. The larcsst schoolroom was packed on the occasion. Mr White (who occupied the chair), Mr Jeffcry (who made the presentation), and Dr De Lautouv (who has a son at the front) referred to the vast interests involved in our »South African campaign, to the sterling qualities shown by the local men who 3 eft in the various eontmarents, and to the necessity for recognising the duty devolving on the State to provide for returned troopers permanently or partially disabled. The meeting was a most enthusiastic one, and wound up with cheers for Trooper Sanderson, and a verse of ixoa save the Kine." After the meeting the young folk adjourned to the gymnasium, and danced until far on in the small hours of the mornine:. . . „ , The ex-Husears' Association have decided to .entertain Colonel Robin, C.B at a dinner to be held at an early date. At a meeting held on Monday afternoon various sub-committees were appointed to arrange ways and means of carrying out the entertaSSsiant Ferguson, of Christchurch, who returned to the colony by the Tagus, recovered sufficiently to be able to leave the Hospital on Monday. Trooper Campbell, of Invercarqill. who left Miss Stronaeh* hospital a fortnight ago, was compelled to return on Friday last, owing to a relapse. Mr Theomin, treasurer of the tx>lonel Robin *worcl and purse funds, - acknowledges receiDt of the following further subscxiptionaT— Per ES. Clarke (Woodhaugh). 10s: T>er Lake County Council, 10s>: per E. C. "Woodward, 3s.