MAUNGATUA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 32

MAUNGATUA.

July 26.— A most snjoyable evening, was spert in Maungatua schoolroom 011 the 21st m=t., to welcome our brave ex-schoolboy home from the war. Mr R. A. Kcmpshell presided, and said he was pleased to see so many piestnt, as this was the first time they had met on an occasion of the kind. It gave him great pleasuie to call on Sergeant M'Laren.— (Cheers ) Addressing Sergeant M'Laren, he said on behalf of schoolmates and friends he had much pleasure in welcoming him honie. He had been a credit to his school, his parents, his country, a.id his aation. He and his comrades had opened the eyes of the foreign rations. They thought that they had oniy England, Ireland, and Scotland to contend against, but now they find that there are oth~i island* cut in the ocean, such ps Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, not to mention Canada, peopled by hundieds of thousands of men who are not f'igbtened of Boer builets or Russian fhells, i-nd who will fight for their kin and country. — (Cleers.) He would like those present to try to follow Sergeant M'Laien through the battlefield. First, we find him in the troopship, where the officers made him corporal — (cheers) — nc-xt place we find him on the b.i-ttle held. There Corporal M'L*ren and some of his comrades were surprised )-y a iot of Boers, arid, m galloping back to inform his regiment, he saw one of his mates get his liorse shot from under lum. He galbped back through shot and shell, and brought him s&iely ova of the hns of fire. — (Cheers.) Then <he officers made him sergeant, affixing the stripes that we are proud of. — (Cheerß.) Me wps one of those who captured De Wet's guns. — (Cheers.) Then, again, at Bothasbarg, in Kitchener's great drive in the dead of night, he heard whips cracking and the bellowing of 28,000 head of cattle- a bigger mob than we are used to see— (laughter)— driven by natives and Boers, with 1095 fighting Boers, bearing down on the line where the Seventh Contingent was. When they got near ough our boys mowed them .down and drove them Lack. — (Cheers.) Where do we find Sergeant M'Laren? Standing, with his four comrades shot by his side. The next place we find him is in his old school.— (Cheers.) Tli£ Chairman then said he had come to the best part of the programme — that was to present their guest with a small memento in the shape of a gold albert, with greenstone pendant, with moncgram inscribed. He hoped the recipient would be long spared to wear it. — (Cheers.) Sergeant M'Laren, in responding, said he was very pleased to be back amongst them again, and thanked them for their handsome present. Three cheers were then given for Sergeant M'Laren. There were also present Trooper M'Laren and Trooper and Lance-cor-poral Smith, of Alexandra Cheera were also given for the fathers and mothers of the troopers. Speeches were delivered by Messrs . W. Thomson, K. A. Kempshell. and T. | Goidon, and songs by Mr Clark and the Missea Heenan, Dale, Kempshell, ai.d Messrs Heenan, Bla?k, Clark, Gordon, Connor, and Don. The ladies of the district provided the good things, to which ample justice was done. Mr Heenan proposed a vole of thanks to the performers, and Mr Don to the ladies who provided the good things. The National Anthem having been sung, the , room was cleared for dancing, which was kept ; up until an early hour. . .