RETURN OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE FRONT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 2245, 1 December 1881, Page 8

RETURN OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE FRONT.

The interest whioh was taken m tbe return of our local Volunteers on Nov. 22 from the seen* of the difficulties on tbo Wot Coast of tbe North Island — m otber words, from Parihaka — conld hardly have been more marked. It was announced m Tuesday's issue of the Timor* Herald that a number 01 leading citizens ba I leagued together to give th» Volunteers a worm reoeptinn, anrl that they would arrive here about 2 p.m., by special train. Long before that hour, however, tbe townspeople began to collect m tbe neighborhood of the railway stalion, and at tbe time wben the whistle of the coming train was beard m the cutting near Whale's Creek — about 2.30 p.m. — between 2000 and 3< 00 people must have been present m tbe streets leading to tbe station Tbe Keoention Committee, consisting of His Wnrship the Mi?or and Messrs Fulbert Aroher, Arihur Perry, T. W Hall, Herbert Belfield, Moib Joias and J. W. White, together with a number of other leading citizens were on the platform at 2 p.m. Ab .nt 215 p.m. the members nf the Timaru Artillery who, from force of circumstances, had been unable to go to the front, marched on to tbe platform under the command of Captain Jackson, who has boen acting m Captain Hamerriey's place during the latter's absence. Tbe Band wero also present. As the train drew up to the station tbe Band struck up " Home, Sweet Home," while three ringing cheers were at the same time given by tbe mstcblage for the " men from tbe front." Fully a quarter-of-an-hour was devoted to congratulation', hand shakings and so forth between the returnees — if we may coin such an expression — and their friends. Ono glimpse at tbe faces of the men was sufficient to nonvinco even tbe most casual observer that they had eeen rough times, and that it had not been all child's play with them. Tbeir uniforms — the serviceable blue serge jerseys and trou'ers, with leggings, of the Armed Constabulary — showed signs of wear m nioro than one instaaoe, while the Scotch caps had evidently given tho sun every opportunity of tinning their faces. Still they all looked well and happy, and as if they had thoroughly enjoyed themeelves. From Caplain Hamnrfley down to the smallest private, one and all looked " fit " for work, and they have certainly gained stamina during their trip, Tbe number of Volunteers who had been to the front, and who arrived on Tuesday, numbered m all 78 including 42 of the Timsra Ariillery, 20 of the Ashburlon Hide*, and 16 of the Temuka Bifles. The officers were Captain Hamerrley, Adjutant Durham, Lints. Wardle and White and Staff-Surgeon Viacintyre. The returning Volunteers were joined at Chrislcburch by Colonel Pucke, tho Officer Commanding the District, Lie.r>t. Millet, A.D.0., Caplain Dundas of the C.V.C.and the Temuka Drum and Fife Band. At Ashburton, Sergeant .xoott of the C.V.0., and others joined them, and at Temuka somo 18 men of tbe Temuku RiflVs unriM Sergeant Brewer. Aller ample time had been all'wed for hand-thikings on the platform, the order to "f»ll m" was given, and the Volunteers, bended by t he Baml,proceeded up Seorgn street, ov r Cain's terrace, up Strath«ll>n street, and down the Main South road to Mr Jonas' buildings, where a luncheon was provided. They were accompioi'd during tbeir march through the streets by many hundreds of people, the footpaths being densely lined. The Volunteers wire repeatedly cheered as they pisieil up from the Railway Btation. On arrival opposite Mr Jonas' they turned into bis Horse Repository, where they were formed two deep, their swags being still on their backs. His Worship the Major then ascended 'he auctioneer*! box, and a^drttpinj. Otfptn'n Hamerole/ nnd 'he re-t of tbe Volunteers •aid the citizens of Timaru bid met to accord them a hearty wplrome bowe, W« were proud to think that our Volunteers had sustained the honor of their district and their country m the manner they had done. It was nsual m ancient days to get up demonstrations of this kind to returning warrior*, and everyone felt inclined to keep up lbs custom. So .could not give them laurol wreaths all

round, as m the days of ancient Borne, but lie wouli place one on the head of Captain Hamersley. (Loud cheer*.) After performing this interesting ceremony, !Ii« Worship proceeded to «aj that the Volunteers had not by any means born forgotten while they were away. The paper* hod been scanner] every day to learn how they bad con ducted themselres, and what was being done at the front. Everyone was proud to learn I hat they bad conducted themselves like men. (Cheers.) Captain Hameraley, m response, mid be had very little to say. n behalf of the Volunteers ha would thanlc them h-artily for the reception given them. The Volunteers looked for no greater reward than this. They had oply done their dutj. If at any futur. time their services were eallid into requ'ui lion ho was quite sun* they would turn out to o man. (Cheers.) He hoped they would always be abl« to render as good on account of thomsrlvrs on future occasions as the; had done on this (Cheers ) The men were then ordered to " pile arms," which they did, placing their twags alongside «>t them. They wero then marched into the saleroom, whore they were regaled with champagne and a spread of light viotuals, to which they did fu!l juitiro After the tooßt of the " Queen and thr Royal Family" had been done full jus'ice tn, Prirate Fullerton proponed the health of " Captain Bamorsley," which was drunk with zest and no beel taps. Captain Hamersli-y, m respoi.ee, said br oould never wish to command » better lot of men, and he hoped if lie went to the front again they would go with him. (Cheere.) They had dono a greit d.al of hard work, but he had never heard one of them grumble. Their camp life, taking it nllogether, h»d been a most plea-an'. one. His only regret kg« that they had i;ot served three months longer together, to that ibey might have kDown one nnother bolter. He would call for three cheers for Colonel Packe, the Officer Commanding the Diitriet. The men responded to the call m right royal fashion. The toast of "Lieutenant Wardlo " was next drunk. Lieutenant Wardle, m responding, taid he only hoped the men thought as much of him as he Hid of them. Mr Jonas' health was drunk with " For he'» a j >llv gool fellow " m full choru>. The Volunteers then returned to the Horso Repository, wh-reCipta n Hamerslev formally dismissed them from active service. In doing co he eaid ho hoped they would have a lit'le more active work to do ere lung. The Temuka and Ash burton mm would leave by the 4 30 p.m. train, and he hoped they would »11 see them off. Hie order to " dismi** " wsa then given and proved the signal for Captain HamerflHy, Dr Maeintyre, Arljuiant Durham and Lieutenan's White and Wurdle being hoisted up on the ahou'ders of the privates and carried down the street. The members of the Committee), t'>e Officran'l a number of citizens then re assembled m the auction-room. Mr Moib Joi-as proposrd the health of His Worship the M»yor m eulogistic terms dwelling upon tb» satsfaetory manner m whioh he had pulled the Borough thrnngh its financial difficulties, and staling he was sure the burgesies, as a whole, were well satisfied at his reelection. His Worship replied very briefly, 'aying, »c he would have to speak at length on thoccasion of the opening of the waterworks, be eou'd hardly be expected to say much new. He thanked thoie present heartily for the manner m which Iris health had been drunk. Captain Cain proposed the h-nlth of the Committee, which was responded to by Mr T. W. Hull, who iaid tbo Volunteers bad not gone m any w«y as pressed men, but out of a feeling of duty, and having done so, woro well entitled to the reception accorded them. Mr Davidson, m a f^w appropriate words, proposed the health of Dr Blarintyre, whose action m g ing to Parihaka. he said, bad been most disinterested, and he trusted Dr Macinty re would be none the worso for hit trip. The toa«t b»vine been done full justice to, Dr Macintyre said that Captain Hamer-lev hid spoken so often on such a multitude of subjects. that he hud quite taken tho wind >ut of his sail*. Referring to the medical and surgiial department at the front, he was eorry to say they had little or nothing to do. He had heard one of the department while there had nearly shot a Maori - (laughter) — but they bad certainly not cut 010 up. He thanked tkem for the hearty manner m which they hnd drank his health. Mr Jonas proposed the health of Adjutant Durham, and m a happy speech alluded to his having acted as Chaplain of the Company at the front, adding tint he had no doubt it wis not alittle due to Mr Durham's moral influence that the men had behaved themselves so well. Adjutant Durham replied, saying it was only a part of bis dutj to act as Chaplain. He trusted they wouM all have another opportunity of going to the front. (Cheers ) After the healths of Lieutenants Wirdlc and White, and Captain Jackson— the latter of whom had assumed the command of the Battery during CapUin Hamersley's absence — had been drunk and suitably responded to the gathering broke up. The Temuka and Ashburton contingents were accompanied to the railway station by their Timaru comrades m arms, and by a Urge crowd of townspeople, who testified their appreciation of their services by cheering them to the echo ns the train left. [Pbesb Association Tbliqbam.] Abhbcrton, Nov. 22. The Aehburton Volunteer* from the front reached hero by special train shortly after noon to-day, and were met at tho station by a very largo gathering They proceeded with the Jfimaru and Temuka contingent loTimaru, and part'cipiled m the banquet at that place, returning by tho evening train. On arri»ulhere theywere met by the r comrades and the Fir 0 Brigade, and a torchlight procession through the town followed. Tho men wore then addressed m the Drill-shed by Captsin Bullock, who gave them the thnnke of the district, and the town for their services. The meeting was most enthusiastic, and was the largest gathering seen m Ashburton for some time past. Two of tbo members nf the corp« have received promotions on the Held at tbo hands of Captain Hamersley, who was m the commnnd of 'he, Canterbury Volunteers.