COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2538, 5 November 1902, Page 33

COUNTRY.

(Continued from page 32.)

WAIKOIKOI. November 3. — A social to welcome home Trooper Fred. Chittook, of the Gallant.Seventh iNew Zealanders, was held in the Waikoikoi Public Hall on Friday evening last, when there was a very large gathering. Apologies for absence were received from Mr and Mrs A. Crawford, Mr and Mzs C. Branigan, Mr and Mrs 'X. Armstrong, Captain Rodgers, and Miss Burzell, all of Tapanui, and front "Mr R. Simmers and .Mr 6-e'o. Milnes. Proceedings commenced with the singing of "God save the King," Miss Nellie Beattie acting as accompanist. Games of «ards, draughts, ludo, ping-pong, etc., were then indulged xn, and- a happy two hours were thus spent. Songs were- 'given by Messrs Booth, Couperthwaite, Bitchie, and E. Orchard. Captain Stewart, of .the Kelso Mounted Biflesj gave the recitation. "The Man from Iron Bark," Mr John Lavender recited "The Gallant Seventh," and Mr Beattie gave as a reading "' Tho Last Shot." >▲ piano selection by Miss N. Beattie met with considerable Refreshments, kindly provided by the ladies of the district, were' then handed round, aft«r which Mr W. Shennan, of Conical Hills station, who presided, addressed tho assembly. He began, by paying a high compliment to our volunteers, and then said, that the time was when our volunteers were looked upon as a body intended more for show than for any use they would likely be in time of war, but that the noble .manner in which the men of 10' contingents that had left our shores- to do battle for our Empire against the Boers had re-sponded-to the call- of "more men" proved- that thi»-was a mistaken idea, and that our volunteers are -men- of the Tight stuff. He said that Trooper Chrttosk had 'been in' his employ before he left with the Seventh, and had almost pestered his (Mr. Shennan' s) life out to get away with the Fourth Contingent. Leave of absence was given him, but he was not accepted by the Government. Nothing -daunted, he then tried to get away with the Sixth, but was again unsuccessful, and when- a call was- made for a seventh., contingent he - again applied, and this' time was accepted. Mr Shennan .then presented Trooper ChittocX with an albert chain' and a very handsome gold Maltese cross, suitably inscribed, the gift of his'*Koi friends, -trooper Chittock, who' waa loudly cheered, ihanked the donors for therhandsome gift, "and the Tight hearty.- welcome they had given him. He said lie. often thought of them when he was in South Airica,.and that no mat- - . ter where he might be m the future he would always, cherish the memory of his J Koi friends. Lieutenant Colquhcun, of the Tapanui Rifles, expressed the pleasure it gave him on behalf of his corps to welcome back Trooper Chittock, who • prior ' to his jeaving with the Seventh had been one of its members. He said\it was right . we> should meet together to welcome home those brave boy's who had so ably upheld the honour of the dear old flag. He was proud to think that Trooper CMttock had been one ■ of these, and said that the Waikoikoi men who were members of his^-sorps had in them thestuff x>f which heroes are made, and would at all times prove. "an honour to our dear Old Country. Mr H. Banks, speaking in a similar strain, expressed his. pleasure at peeing Trooper Chittock amongst us Again. A vote of thankitwas passed to' Mr Shennan for presiding, and on someone calling for .'three cheers, they were lustily given.'. ' The room- was then cleared for 'dancing, whipb Vas kept'-up till 4 a-m. Messrs Jas,. Cooper and AT" Simmers (violins)/ supplied the. music, and Mr W. -Mackay «cted as M.O. Ac -t&^y all gave "their- services gratuitioudty, ■ they were accorded -a hearty vote of thanks, as were -also the- ladies for providing refreshments. Before leaving for home Mr James Chittock thanked the 'Social Committee and all those who had so kindly welcomed his son. ,The Farm. — The work of sowing is almost finished, and farmers are now getting the land ready for turnip-sowing. , Everj day the chaffcutter may be seen at work, the present high price of chaff being the cause. Political. — Thres of the candidates for Clutba —Messrs Stewart, M'Neil, and Quin— have adilressed the electors here. Mr Quin, being well known, had a very large meeting, and his address, is being very favourably commented on. We are now waiting anxiously for Mr Thomson's address. When we have heard it we shall be able to decide who we are going to vote lor. A rumour is abroad that Mr Allen, member for Bruce, will address us on behalf of Mr Thomeon, who, we all regret, has met with a sad bereavement. The School.— The work of draining the playground is now proceeding, and asphalting will be taken in hand during the summer holidays. In order to provide funds for this necessary work and for prizes, a concert will be held on the 19th inst. Clutha County Election. — Both Mi R. Simmers, member, for Waipahi Riding, and Mr Robertson; member for Glenkanich Riding, are meeting with .opposition. Mr -Simmers will be opposed by Mr- J. Cummings, of Waipahi, and Mr Robertson by Mi Grainger, Glenkenich, and -Mr Weir, Merino Downs. A requisition signed by all the ratepayers on the Waikoikoi eide of Waipahi Riding was presented to Mr It. r Simmers asking him to allow himself to be nominated as a candidate.