REGIMENTAL ALLIANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 10

REGIMENTAL ALLIANCE.

GIFTS FBOM AND FOR NEW ZEALAND.

AN HISTORIC DRUM

Photographs in This Issue. (

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 30. Major F. W. Narbey, who is on the reserve of the Wellington West Coast Regiment, and who is resident in London, went to Plymouth to present to the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment two gifts from New Zealand—one which was prepared for the Ist Battalion and one for the 2nd Battalion. The New Zealand Regiment is allied to the Hampshire Regiment. The presentation ceremony took place on Saturday morning at Crownhill Barracks, Devonport (where the 2nd Battalion is stationed). General Sir Richard_ Hakin (Colonel-in-Chief of the Hampshire Regiment) and Colonel C. R. Savile, D. 5.0., 0.8. E. (Colonel of the 2nd Battalion) were among the officers present. The occasion was of a purely, domestic regimental character During the late war men of the Wellington West Coast Regiment and of the Hampshires fought together in Gallipoli and in France. The gifts from New Zealand were doubtless inspired partly as a result of this wartime connection and partly as a token of the esteem which, exists between the two regiments. The presentations took the form of bronze statuettes, silver-plated and oxydised, the work of Mr A. R. Fraser, A.R.8.5., the well-known New Zealand s.ilptor. Each, a little over 12in in. height, stands on a round column pedestal, with the badges of both regiments on the back and a brief, suitable inscription on the front. The statuette for the Ist Battalion represents a New Zealand soldier in battle order, with his tin hat slung behind, and wearing the distinctive hat that is associated with the New Zealand uniform. lie stands on guard. The design of the statuette for the 2nd Battalion is an old-time Maori warrior, wearing Native mat. holding a mere and standing at the ready; he wears the old Maori head-dress. Both figures -are very full of life, and are accurate in every detail. All who have been privileged to see them agree that the subjects are excellently depicted. The arrangement prior to the actual ceremony was that Major Narbey should make the presentation to the 2nd Battalion. which is stationed at Plymouth, and that the procedure regarding presentation for the Ist Battalion (which is stationed in India) should be arranged subsequently. General Sir Richard Hakin received both the gifts on behalf of the regiment, and handed that for the 2nd Battalion to Colonel Savile. It so happens that a draft will be leaving for India on December 9, and General Hakin is arranging that the statuette for the Ist Battalion shall be taken then. The presentation ceremony at Plymouth was therefore well timed, and very' much interest was taken locally in the function. One may be permitted to mention that the War Office has taken particular notice of this presentation from the Wellington West Coast Regiment to the Hampshire Regiment, the authorities there being greatly interested in the alliances between British regiments with regiments of overseas dominions.

On Sunday General Sir R. Hakin presented Major Narbey with two gifts for the Wellington West Coast Regiment, and these will be sent to Colonel F K. Turnbull, »D. 5.0.. M.C., at Wanganui. The regiment will immensely appreciate the gift of a very historic drum, which has been used in all the battles from I'o2 to 1902 in which the Hampshire Regiment has taken part. • This more-than-two-century-old drum, with all its services duly recorded, is intended to be used as a regimental post box at the depot in Wanganui. The second gift is a bugler s cord, and this, too, will be highly prized.