SOCIAL TO SERGT.-MAJOR WILSON, R.A.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11686, 23 July 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

SOCIAL TO SERGT. -MAJOR WILSON, R.A.

A social was held on July 6 in the Drill Shed, in honor of Sergt. -Major Wilson, R. A., the insructor of Field Artillery. Besides the members of the H Battery, there were present non-commissioned officers of the Wakatu Mounted Bifles and several of the old members of the Battery. The proceedings commenced with drinking the health of the King. Captain Madigan, officr commanding, next proposed the health of Sergt. -Major Wilson. He referred to that instructor's excellent method of imparting his instruction, and hoped that he would soon visit Nelson again in the routine of his ducj', and spoke of the benefit it was for the corps to have the services of an instructor who was a field-artillery-man. The Captain anticipated great results from the next training camp in November, when doubtless Sergt -Major Wilson would be piesent. The distributioa of proficiency certificates was next made to drivers, gunlayers, and best gunners, together with efficiency badges and prize money; Sergt-Farrier Wimsett receiving hi 3 gold star for nine years service. Sergt. Sherwood received a shooting prize, given by Messrs Stewart and Co.

Next followed a varied musical programme. A presentation was made by Lieutenant Grace on behalf of ex-Gunner Roberts, of a framed drawing of the anatomy of a horse, for use in lectures.

la responding to the toast of his I health, Sergt. -Major Wilson said that he found the field-batteries of the Colony to be much the same as the volunteer field-batteries in England. He acknowledged that such batteries had great difficulties to contend against, but he had seen volunteer field batteries that could work beside regular batteries. He was gratified by the way in which the non-commissioned officers and men of the H Battery had worked under him, and he would be the first to point Out any inefficiency if there had been any. He voiced the opinion that more field work was necessary, and. hoped to see t/ne day when a company of mounted infantry would be attached to each battery, and the two working together in drill and manoeuvres. H^ next gave some thrilling experiences during the South African war. Attached to a howitzer battery, he bacl been present at the battle of Elandslaagte, where, for the first and last time the cavalry were able to charge home. He described the disaster of Nicholson's Nek, and the battle of Lombard's Kop, when the artillery to which he was attached covered" the retirement of the trcops of Ladysmith. Incidentally, he described the destruction of the Gin Cruesot gun on Pepworth Hill, when the Boer lines were penetrated, and the prestige of the besieged garrison was maintained. A short description wts given of the momentous fight at Waggon Hill, and of the appearance of the relieving column headed by Lord Dundonald. Lie gave every credit to General Buller, and the troops of the relieving force, emphasising the difficulty of the country that they had to face and the pluck with which they overcame all obstacles.

The Sergt. -Major's speech was received with loud applause, and it was evident that the members of the Battery received his remarks with enthusiasm.

At the conclusion of the gathering, it was notified that Mr Shallcras3 had given a Challenge -Cup to be competed for by the sub-sections of the battery. The promotion of Sergt. -Farrier Wimsett to Quartermaster-Sergeant was notified, and that old member of the corps was made a presentation of a silver-mounted pipe, in recognition of the many services he bad rendered.