FAREWELL SOCIAL TO LIEUT. E. J. BARLTROP.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8366, 30 September 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

FAREWELL SOCIAL TO LIEUT. E. J. BARLTROP.

Thb members of the Naval Artillery corps beid a farewell sooial to Lieut Barltrop at the Foresters Hall on Sept. 25. Tbere were also present by invitation Lieut-Colonel Pitt, Captain Hyde, Lieut Topliss (H Battery), Sergt-Major Healy, and the members of the Garrison band. Between fifty and sixty were present ia all. Captain Simpson occupied the ohair. After the toast ofthe Boyal Family, the Chairman proposed the health of the guest of the evening, Lieut Barltrop. Cipi. Simpson spoke in felici.ouß terms of Mr Barltrop's services to the Company, and the length of time he had been conneoted with it, some 14 j ears. He considered him a model officer, and it would be well for tbe Volunteer foroe if there were more like him. (Applause.) His removal from Nelson was a great loss to the Naval Artillery and all Volunteers, by whom he vcas respected. Captain Simpson baid the members of the corps could not allow Lieut Barltrop to leave them without showing some practical token of their esteem for him, and he would aak Mr Barltrop to accept a purse of s )vereigns on the corps' behalf. Lieut Barltrop's health was tben drunk with great enthusiasm, accompanied by musical honors, Lieut, Barltrop, on rising to respond, was reoeived with loud obeers. He thanked them all for the hearty manner in whioh the toast to him had been receiva - *. No one regret ed more than be did hi 9 leving Ne'son, and he regretted it the more beoause he was eevering bis oonneotion with a body of men ha felt proud to belong to. Not more than ba'f a doz?n were in tbe oorpi now that were in it when he joined. During bis conneotion wi-h the company he had endeavored to c*rry out his duties to the best 0' bis ability, and be urged tbat it was the duty of eacn to endeavor to keep tbe reputation of the oorps, and leave it in as good a position as wben he joined. He also spoke a few encouraging words to the non-oommi sioned officers. He desired to thank Captain Littlejohn and Sergt.-Major Healy for the assistance ho had at all times received from*them, and he specially referred to the great help received from the former officer. He concluded by again thanking tbem, one and all, for tbeir good feeling towards him and tbeir generous gift. Hiß reaolleotions cf the oorps and voluateers generally woald only be those tbat were pleasant. (Applause.) During the evening tbe toast of the Neleon District Staff was proposed by Captaia Byde, wbo spoke in terms of admiration of tbe talented officers the Nelsjn volunteer Dcsseaeed in Lieut.-Colonel Pi t, Captain Littlejon, and Sergt.-Major Healy. Col. Pitt, io responding, tendered h's thanks to the officers of the distriot for the great Bupport the Staff hadgalways received from tbem. It was a great comfort to him to notioe the good understanding that existed between the Staff and its officers, and it waa mainly due to the way in wbioh the officers and men entered into their work, that the j Nelson District oooupied such a good status among ihe New Zealand Volunteers. He regretted exceedingly the loss to the District of Lieut. Barltrop, and he waa sorry tbat the, occasion for which tbey bad assembled was' not other tban to bid farewell to euch an excellent offioer. Lieut, tar.'trop waß one of the best officers in the dis'riot, and was a bright example of what tn officer Bbouli ba. What he undertook to do be did it weil, and he sinoerely hoped that the New Zealand Volunteers would not be deprived of bis valu*.ble services. (Applause). Sergt Major Healy a>Bo returned thanks. «' The Chairman," and " Tbe Garrison Band " were toasted, the former proposed by Sergt. Major Healy, and the latter by Lieut. Topliss. Sergt. Leaper, on behalf of the Garrison Band, referred to the good feeling that existed between the Band and the Volunteer Corps, They had always done their best, for the Volunteers on all occasions and he waß pleased to say the Band were still prepared to do so. During tbe evening a number of vooal and instrumental items were oontributed by member a of ihe Navals and Garrison Band, ard a musioal selection by a company of the former on very original instrnments, created great amusement. The fooial terminated at eleven o'clook by the singing of Auld Lang Syne, during which 1 ieut Barltrop wss shouldered round the room by foor petty officers, and enthusiastic oheering for that officer followed. j