Rangitata Reception Social.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3776, 8 August 1901, Page 3

Rangitata Reception Social.

Seme time ago a reception Social Committee was formed at BangiUta for the purpose of welcoming home Trooper George Aitken, of the Fourth Contingent. The committee set to work in earnest, and determined that nothing should be left undone %o make the reception worthy of the occasion. Anticipating from the large sale of tiokets that the gathering was going to be the largest ever held in the district, the committee set about enlarging the building, which was made nearly its double. its ordinary size. A temporary floor was laid down 30ft x 16ft, and the whole was cosily covered in with tarpaulins. This was " a work of stapendous labour," and the members of the committee worked like Trojans. Their efforts were not in vaiu; for lost Friday night, the date appointed for the social, saw the whole available spice 30ft x 36ft, taken up. The weather had been watched very anxiously, and, although the elements had frowned for two or three days, the night proved a perfect one in every sense of the word. .Mr J. Bracefield, of Orari, who gratuitously acted as M.C., announcsd the March Polka about 8 p.m., aud this was the opening of a social which from start to finish proved a grand success. About 9 p.m. there was an interval for the purpose of presenting Trooper Aitken with a gold medal. This duty foil to the lot of Mr J. B. brodie, who performed a somewhat difficult task iu a most admir able manner. His speech, for depth of feeling, showing patriotism aud worthy adoration of deeds done in the held, would be hard to equal. But a poor precis of it can be given. Addressing the trooper he ■aid—-" Trooper George Aitken, ou behalf of the residents of Rangitata, 1 welcome yon home from South Africa so your native land. We are thankful that the Almighty has spared you from the bullets of our enemies, and mote especially are we grateful that you have been i-pared from that deadly fever-malaria. We are pleased to have this opportunity of recording our appreciation of the patriotism you have shown in going forth to fight the battles of our .Umpire, in leaving home, and friends, and native laud, to go out to the wilds of South Africa, and fa<*e our common enemy, the Boer. It is a sacrifice that we who stay at home can little realise. We have heard that you marched and fought under the most trying circumstances ; that you endured heat and co'd to an exceptional degree; that you were often without cover in torrents of rain; and that at times you had food for neither man nor beast. Further, it has been told us that as convoys and scouts you had to contend against hidden foes; iu every clump of bush iu fact lurked enemies ; yet, we never heard that you flinched or murmured, and your devotion to duty was unsurpassed by any regiment iu that mighty host of over 200,000 men. as an old volunteer I cannot suppress my emotion this evening at the honour conferred upon me. In my time volunteering was looked on as a good joke—we were regarded aB mere carpet knights—and it was thought that should tlie time cmne we would never face the enemy. But you have proved yourself one of the brave men, and your deeds will live for ever. 1 have very much pleasure ou calling on Miss Edgar to decorate you with this medal, and hope you will be spared long to wear it, as a memento of difficulties overcome, and trials endured on the field. Miss Edgar then pinned the medal on amidst much enthusiasm.

During the speech the va*t crowd bad thronged mostly into oue room. Trooper Aitken was supported by the following returned troopers : Quarter-Master Ser geant Foster, Troopers Barker, Andreseu, Carlyle, and Vernall. Mr Brodie's remarks were received with h arty cheers and freauent demonstrations of applause ; and the scene presented, with flags and lanterns overhead, was a picturesque aud animated one, and one that will not soon fade from the memories of those who witnessed it.

Mr Aitken made a lengthy reply. He ■aid he had simply gone forth at the call of the Mother Country, as others had done, and he did not expect such kind treatment on his return. Be related many amusing incidents that had occurred on the journey, and preseuted the residents with two shells that had been fired into Mafeking by the Boers during the aiege. Be thanked them one and all for their kind reception, aud would remember it as long as he lived. Mr R. -T. Conoal, on behalf of the residents, accepted the shells presented by Trooper Aitken. He said that although Trooper Aitken had enlisted from Southland, he had spent his boyhood at Baugitata, and they did not intend to give Southland any credit for anything he had done. He would see that the trophies were suitably inscribed and put iu safe keeping.

Mr R. Irwin proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the returned troopers for their presence that eveniug. Although they bad met for the purpose of welcoming Trooper Aitken, they were pleased to see th« other troopers present, and they felt proud of every man who had goue forth from our shores to fight the battles of our empire.

Mr T. B. Dorward proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Brodie for the admirable manner in which ha had carried out his duties that evening, and Mr Brodie, in reply, considered that the committee had conferred a great honour upon him ; it was one of the proudest nights of his life.

Trooper Aitken and the other troopers then g*ve three hearty cheers for the residents for their reception. Dancing was then resumed and kept up till the early hoars, being iuterspersed at intervals by a few songs. Inspiriting music was supplied by Messrs Jiearaley (piano), A. Oooper (violin), and R. Oooper (piccolo), and was good enough to Batisfy <aven the most fastidious. The refreshments, supplied by Mr J. A. MeCaskill, were dispensed in a large marquee by Mesdam.es Connal, Chalmers, Coulter, and Snell, who had a very busy time. Jtfiss Button also attended with her gramaphone, and gave many pleasiog selections, and Mr Newman tet off a number of fireworks. Mr Bracefield was accorded a cordial vote of thanks for hia efficient services as M. 0., and Mr Bryan kindly lent bis piano. Indeed"so numerous were those who contributed towards the success of the social that it would be impossible to name all, and it is to be hoped that all those who so kindly aslisted will be sstißfied to accept the committee's grateful appreciation for their services. The financial results amounted to within, a small fraotion of £2O.