Smoke Concert at Geraldine.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3746, 30 May 1901, Page 2

Smoke Concert at Geraldine.

The members of the Geraldine Rifle Corps gave a smoke concert to ColourSergeant Gresham on Monday night, by way of a welcome to him on his return from Australia, where he had taken part in the Commonwealth proceedings as a member of the New Zealand Federal Contingent. The function was held in the Volunteer Hall, and waa presided over by Captain Mackenzie. As the notice was short, and there was no time to advertise the affair, the attendance was not as large as it might otherwise have been. Besides volunteers in uniform, tHere were also several citizens present. The catering was in the hands of Mr J. Riordan, who gave every satisfaction. Captain Mackenzie proposed " The KiDg," whose health was duly honoured, and a verse of the National Anthem was sunt; iu remembrance of his recent miraculous escape from a serious accident. Mr J. J. McCaskey, chairman of the Geraldine Town Board, proposed " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," and in doing so said ho was pleased to bo present to welcome their guest back from his trip. It was with sorrow that we parted with our young men from New Zealand, and they were always more than pleased to welcome them bick again—(applauia), and especially was this so when they were young moujof vherightstamp, as was.their guest. Colour-Sergeant Gresham, he believod, was an enthusiastic volunteer, and a good citizou, and, although he had not been at the front righting for his country, he had been representing New Zealand, and Geraldine in particular, at a function which, doubtless, was the greatBit in the history of the colonies. He was glad to see the change in public opinion during the past two years as regards volunteering, and he hoped every encouragement would bo given to the volunteers to make them thoroughly proficient iu shooting. It was good use of the rifle that wontha day for the Boers on several occasions, and the Government should therefore support the volunteers iu their efforts to obtain plenty of target practice. (Applause). Private Shiers sang " The Navy." Trooper Cloustoc, with whose name the last toast was coupled, in reply took objection to Mr McCaskey's remark that the Boers were good shots. In the present war ho thought that the Boers had proved themselves anything but good marksmen. (A voice: "It was a good job for you they were not.") As regards the Army, ho thought poor Tommy Atkins was very badly treated. Private Eiordau contributed a song.

Captain Mackenzie proposed tha toast of the evening, " Our Guest, Private Gresham cf the Federal Contingent, and Colour-Sergeant of the Geraldine Rifles." They all felt proud and very pleased when they heard that their guest had been included in the Federal Contingent. When he (Captain Mackenzie;, received the telegram from Colonel Gordon asking him to send Colour-Sergeant Gresham h<s felt as pleased as if he had been going himself, for he knew that the ColourSergeant Fas a keen, observant officer, who would make the most of his experiences amongst 15,000 volunteers. The Geraldine Rifles would be going to Christchurch to take part in the demonstrations during the visit of the Duke of York, and no doubt Colour-Sergeant Gresham would now bo able to give the company a few < ; tips" He believed the Colour-Ser-geaut eiijoyed himself very much on the trip, and left quite an impression on the hearts of the Australian girls. (Langhter.) He was sorry the recaption was not on a larger scale, but there had been little time to make it known. Colour-Sergeant Gresham was looked upon as general factotum of the company, and his services had been very much missed during his absence.

The guests' health was diunk with musical honors.

Mr G. Kraus contributed a song, and Trooper Clouston read a parable on the "C.l.V.'s," and the "I.Y.'s," and arecitation on the "Ba'ttle of Black Magersfontein."

Private J. Martiu, as a member of the Geraldine Rifles, aiso welcomed the Colour-Sergeant home, and Bpoke highly of him as an officer, saying that there was not a more popular man in the company thau their guest. Colour-Sergeant Gresham, in responding, said he was surprised at the reception that night, as he had not expected anything of the kind. He was pleased, however, to think that the members of the corps had such a good opinion of him, and he was delighted to be back amongst them. As for his trip it was so very rongh at sea that when he got away from land he felt very much at sea. (Laughter). Tho review at the Flemington race course was a grand affair. Ihere were over 14,000 volunteers in the march past, and it was a sight worth seeing. Amongst the amusing incidents of camp life the Fijian troops created great fun. Their full dress uniform consisted of a white calico jacket, a little white petticoat, aud no trousers, boots, or hats. (Laughter). It was no wonder they got knocked out of time with camp life and had to be put into proper beds iu a building. He considered the Maoris got the most of the cheering, and they were really a magnificent lot of fellows. He had no idea that there were such fine Maoris in the colony to-day. Taking it all round the New Zealanders were not a success in marching, but, as luck would have it, when they marched paat the Duke they went by like a bar of iron. (Laughter). The arrangements for the camp were most complete. Iu the camp the Zew ZeulanderS; were iD, there were 4000 men. It was a significant fact that vit«»u they went into breakfast no loss th n 3000 ueu rose and cheered the JS ew Zealauderß. They had a very good time iu camp, being allowed out till midnight before the guard wis put on,

(A voice : We wiU suggest that time for our next camp.") Despite the liberal hours he did not hear of any of tin New Zealanders getting drunk. (Laughter). When they left Melbourne they went on Sydney, and everybody in the train caught a cold because they had to travel second class, and had no blankets, and were 27 hours on the journey. They spent a day and a half in Sydney. Then they came back to Wellington and were dismissed. There were no instructions given by Major Smith that when he got back home he was to keep bis tongue still. He was hoping that instructions of this, kind would be given, so that he would have an excuse. (Laughter.) Mr Sh'ers, a song.

Mr J. W. Pye proposed " The Geraldine Rifles," and spoke at asms length on the good work they had done. It was sixteen years since a corps was first formed at Geraldine, and he was then a member. They had passed through many ups and downs, but to-day they wera in a satisfactory finaucial positiou, and had first-ctiss officers and men. He considered that volunteering had doue a great deal of good to the young fellows of Geraldine, and the officers aud meu of the new corps deserved groat credit for the way in which they had stuck together It spoke well for the Geraldine Rifles th*t Co'our Sergeaut Gresham whs the only volunteer in South Canterbury who was selected to go to Australia. (Applause). It was pleasing to note ulso that Captain Mackenzie, sixteen years ag waa a privsto in the ranks, and had since worked his way np. lu like mauner tiientbunut,-Colonel Moore was at one time Captain of the corps, aud had risen to Major, and since to the proud position of Lieutenant Colonel in tho South Canterbury Battalion. The guest of the eveuing was a man who took a deep interest in volunteer matters, and no doub" hia experience in Aastralia amougs.t so many troops would prove of great value to the corps. (Applause). The toast was coupled with the names of Captain Mackenzie aud Color-Sergeaut Gresham.

Colour Sergeant Gresham rendered a aong. Captain Mackenzie in reply said it was a good thing for officers to rise from the ranks because they would then take more interest iti their.men, and know better what their wauts were. Much of the hardships that " Tommy " had to put up with were due to the lack of sympathy and the iguorance of the wants of tho men by officers who had never been in the ranks. He was glad to say that hia company was getting on well financially. Owing to the liberality of the public the bazaar had helped them so well that iu another year they ought to be free of debt, and would not want new uniforms for Borne time to come, for they now had two uniforms and an overcoat for each man. He thought when they had a credit balance in hand they might spend some money on comforts for the men, in the shape »f an orcerly room to be erpcted iu the drill shed, and other improvements to the hall.

Colour-Sergeant Grjsham also briefly replied, and mentioned that he had met Mr Schwartz, a late member of the company, iu Wellington. Sergeant Pye proposed ■' The Ladles," coupled with the names of Molars Rodmau and Shiers. Private Martin proposed "Our boys at the front," coupled with the name of Trooper Cloust'-n. Mr McCaskey proposed " The Press." ColourSergeant Gresham proposed " The chairman."

The proceedings theu terminated