SUMMARY.

Colonist, Volume XXII, Issue 2600, 13 September 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

SUMMARY.

ARTILLERY COMPANY DINNER. The annal dinner of tho Nelson Artillery Company—the H. Battery—took place at the Nelson Hotel on Thursday, Aug. 21. The attendance was good, and the repast was spread in host M'Qee's ÜBual exoellent style. Major Pitt, the Captain of the Company, occupied the Chair, and was supported by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelson, hon. Chaplain of the Battery, and other gentlemen ; tho vice-Chairs were taken by Lieutenants We9t and M'Cabe. Oo removal of the cloth the usual loyal toasts were given from tho chair, and dtauk with all honors. In proposing the health of tho Governor, the Chairman referred to the fact of his Excollonoy having taken his son from the Wellington College in order to place him at the Nelson College. He said our College had gained its roputation long ago, but ho regarded its appreciation as shown by the Governor as of importance. The " Army, Navy, and Volunteers" was next proposed by the Chairman, and, having been duly honored, the toast was suitably responded to by Corporal Glover, of the H Battery, and Lieutenant Simpson, of the Naval Brigado. Corporal Glover tlien sai g " The Union Jack of Old England" with poweriul effect. His Lordship the B'sbop said the toast he had to give was of a more personnl character than the proceeding oned, it waa that of " Our worthy Captain, Major Pitt," (Loud cheerp.) They must all agree that the efficiency of the Volunteer force must largely depend upon its officers, and they possessed in Captain Pitt one who was in every way qualified to fill the position. It required urbanity. Captain Pitt was good-natured, kind, and generous. It required a keen sense of justice, and although Captain Pitt was a lawyer, he possessed a keen sense of justice 5 it required diligence, and he was diligent. A good deal had been said by some as to Captain Pitt being frequently absent in Wellington; now ho thought that that was a very great advantage. The people of Nelson were told by some that they were all lotus eaters; well, supposing that to be so, although it was certainly not the case, one who frequently wont to bracing Wellington must make a more energetic officer. He believed that during the past two years 710 man had done more for Nelson than Major Pitt. ((Cheers.) Ho referred to his action relative to the Now .Zealand Rifle Association, which, through his efforts, had taken up its quarters here. He simply showed to 'that body the local advantages ; it was the strongest argument that could have been used, and it prevailed and we received justice for once. A material advantage was then gained by Major Pitt, and they would continne to see the effects. The toast was drank with musical honors and prolonged cheering. Major Pitt especially thanked his Lordship for the kind way in which he had proposed his health, and them for the manner in which they had echoed his Lordship's sentiments. Regarding officers, he considered it was a great advantage that they should not be changed too frequently, and their Battery had, been particularly fortunate in that respect. Regarding his Lordship's remarks as to his action in connection with the Rifle Association, he said it was. not the first time it had been kindly acknowledged ■ he was only too pleased to havo done good. Ho might say, however, that during his last visit to Wellington he attended a meeting of the Association, and, from what he there learnt the number of volunteers at the next meeting will be at least double what it was at the last, and arrangements we being made for the cavalry tournament whioh was to take plaoe. Ho hoped the good feeling whioh had always existed betweon them would oontinue for, many years. Lieutenant M'Cabe, having given a recitation, gunner Topliss sang a most amusing song " Johnny Morgan." The Chairman then proposed " Our Chaplain, the Bishop," in suitable terms especially mentioning the great interest he had always evinced in tho welfare of the Battery. His Lordship responded in an exceedingly interesting spoeoh in which he referred to volunteers, and their position in history. Sergeant-Major Wimsett proposed " Our Lieutenants," and those officers suitably replied. The Chairman gave " Other Volunteer Companies," and Captain Williams returned thanks. Corporal Glover proposed the health of " Sergeant-Major Alborough," and Lieutenant West the bealthß of " Messrs Canning, Sutton, and Stanton," and the latter gentleman, in returning thanks, expressed his willingness in the future to again put his best efforts to the fore. The following toasts were also proposed, and duly responded to:—" Our late Company Band," now called the Battalion Band, by Lieutenant M'Cabe ; "The Press," by Captain Williams, who spoke .at length of its political importance; "The Ladies," by Major Pitt, and responded to by Gunner 'Topliss; " Tho Sergeants of our Battery," by Gunner 'Topliss; " Our Host and Hostess,", by Lieut. West, who Bpoke of Mr M'Gee's invariable desire to further ■ the well-being <of the Battery. Host M'Gee re- : sponded, expressing his pleasure in assisting them in i/any way. The Ist and 2nd Gun Dotoohments, and .the Corporals and Bombadiers were severally toasted •with all honor, and a most pleasant evening was vbroughtto a close about m'dnight, when the National Anthem was sang. Daring the evening a great number of remarkably good songs were given by •.various members of the Battery.