A MILITARY FAREWELL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 222, 18 August 1914, Page 1

A MILITARY FAREWELL.

Send-off to Sergt.-Major Hatt.

Big Popular Demonstration

Many people have appeared to think that there has been real and widespread opposition to New Zealand's system of compulsory military training. Ihe popular demonstration given in the Masonic Hall, Pukekohe, on Friday evening was a remarkable exhibition of the loyalty and whole-heartedness of the territorials of this cistrict, and of the splend d feeling of respect •existing between the men and their late Area Sergt.-Major Hatt. Ths present war is a sufficient proof of the wisdom of the authorities in introducing compulsory training, for as one ipeaker pointed out at the meeting to send untrained men to war would te to send them to a shambles. Still another speaker suggested that at this junclure even the shirkers of training were 1 yal, and were anxiou3 to serve their country, which gave hope that for tome years we would hear less of shirking and of objections to the training system. The hall was gaily decorated with j .flags and a representative body of residents joined in with the territorials to do honour to Regimental Staff-Major Hat'. 'lhe Mayor (Mr Lawiie) presided.

The "National Atithem" was sung three times during the evening with great fervour. Pati iotic speeches were made by the Mayor, R<.v. Father Molloy, Rev. F. B. Dobson, j Messrs K. F. Webstir, Captain Wilkinson, H. Dell, R. J. Eames j and W. Koulston. 'lhe Marseillaise was played on the mandolin by Mr Fred Marshall, the company standing in honour of Jhe French national anthfm. Cheers were loudly given foi" France and tor the Belgiars, Mr Webster said that Sergt.Major Hatt was a man who knew how to act as a gentleman and so handled his men and boys that they would not have to be forced like the Germans into fighting. (Loud applause . Captain Wilkinson said he had been asked why it was th3t so many young fellows with horses did not join the mounteds; his reply was: Because the tenitorials have Sergt.-Major Hatt. (Cheers). The Sergt.-Major was a thorough soldier who had devoted himself to his profession; the speaker was only eorry they could not have had more of his nervices in the mounteds. As aii acknowledgment of Sergt.Major Hatt's capacity lie was now to be the senior non-commissioned oilicer in his regiment. (Fathusias- j tic applause.) Lieut. Petcliell said that on behalf of the assembled company he desired to thank Sergt'-Major Hatt for services he had rendered to this company. He was sorry their guest j was leaving but were glad that he ; was going to serve his country and hoped ho would safely return again, j (Applause). He handed a small gift (a handsome case of pipes) to the yergt.-Major in token of the esteem in which ho was held by all the ranks. " May good fortune go with you and may you long be spared to servo your King and the Empire !" The offering was followed by ringing cheers. fciergt.-Major Hatt, who was received with prolonged cheering, feelingly declared that ho could not say half that he felt. Their gift had been made in a nice spirit. With them to-night were Mr Schofield and Mr Hovey who were also going to the war. They, like himself and everybody tlse, would endeavour to do their best to do their duty. For two years this month he had had the honour of serving them as Area Scrgt.-Major. He was indebted to the local citizen officers for the manner in which they had always supported him, and in which thoy had never yet failed. He had nothing but good to say about the territorials and cadets. He was indebted to Lieut. Petcliell and Colour-Sergt. Short for the way they had struggled on in the earlier part of the defence scheme; also those two splendid olticers, Captains tScholield and Wilkinson. (Applause.) He thanked the lads of Tuakau who had come all the way to be present that evening ; he felt deeply grateful lor it. He would do his level best to deserve all the kindness they had extended to him.

Prolonged applause aud hearty i.lniei"j followed.

On behalf of the l'ukekohe Cit I Football Club, Mr Bryant presented ' Sergt.-Major Hatt witli a tobaccopouch in recognition of the manner in which he had met club members ' in arranging for them to got oil on ' Saturdays His kindness would not be forgotten. "We hope," said MiBryant, "that when the llaj; of Britain is again Hying unchallenged you will again come back to ! drill our force.' 1 More ringing j cheers and tbo singing of " He's a j Jolly Good Fellow " followed. | Sergt.-Major Hatt said he always ' considered it his duty to work in with the local institutions and he was glad to know that he had been of s tine assistance to the Football Club.

Lieut. Petchell was the recipient of bursts of cheers at the conclusion of his speech iu which he thanked all who had attended that evening's gathering. A capital programme was rendered by members of the Pukekohe minstrels and others. " L)e ole Banjo " was the opening number. Mr Ben Andrew sang " Motherland " ; Master Rogers, " And a Little Child Shall Lead Them " : songs, Mr V. Rickit, Mr McKay and Mr Schwabe ; " Swanee River," by the company ; songs, Mr \V. Jones and Mr J. O'Malley. The items went splendidly. The evening was of the most enthusiastic character aud must have done much to strengthen the patriotism of all who took part.

THE MARSEILLAISE. Claude Christopher Rouget do Lisle, a French poot, was the author of The Marseillaise which we will doubtless hear frequently during the continuance of the present war. This single song of Lisle's won him immortality. The song—both words and music—was composed in a single night about the beginning of 171)2. Everywhere it soon sent a fiery rapture through the volunteers of the Republic. Lislo, who was born in 1700, was an officer of artillery at the time of the revolution. His Hymue des Marsellaise is now the National Anthem of France.

REGT.-SERGT.-MAJOR 11 ATT

Regimental Sergt.-Major Hatt belongs to the section of men " who have done things." He served for I.S years with the famous Gordon Highlanders and with that regiment was stationed for over nine years in India, three years in Egypt and three years in South Africa. In India he took part in the Chitral (189-5), Tirah (ls«)7), Pun jiu Egypt after the power of the Malidi had been broken at Umdurman, but just when the Fashcuda incident threatened to embroil England and Ftanco in war. He was through the whole of the South African war, being in tho battles of Magersfontein, Jaeobsdall, Pardeburg, Driefonteiu, Thabauiuchu, Houtnek, Dornkop, Diamond Hill and Belfast for tho last mentioned engagement he received tho clasp;. On returning to England Sergt - Major Hatt went through the School of Musketry, and then was sent to Canada for three years as a special instructor iu musketry. Ou the termination of his engagement he returned to his regiment and received his discharge. Ho then came to New Zealand as a civilian, but was persuaded to join the stall of tho Dofence Force. Ho was lirst stationed at Te Awamutu and then came to Fukekohe. The good' wishes of the people of this district go with him iu his present campaign.