TEMUKA RIFLES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3737, 23 September 1886, Page 3

TEMUKA RIFLES.

+ LAYING- THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW DHILLSHED. Yesterday was a gain day for tho Volunteers of Temuka, their long wished for new drillshed taking definite form from that date At half-past three the Rifles, to the numbei of 45 non-commissioned officers and men under Captain Hayhurst and Lieutenant! Fiudlay and While, and the Cadets, 40 rani and file, under Captain Bryara and Lieutenant Cross, paraded with tho Band. Major! Hamersley and Young, and Adjutant Newall and Serjeant-Major Jones were also or parade. The two companies were marchec to Mr Storey's paddock, and there were pul through battalion drill by Adjutant Newall Be-forming, they were marched book to the site of tho new drilUhed, whero they -were formed into a half square. The foundation stono being m position and the customary coins and copy of the TIMARtr Hebai/d being placed uudernentl it, Private Mason, secretary of tho Building , Committee, read the following address tc Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst : — " JUPAJI,— In the pame of the officers anc

; mombera of the Temuka Eiflo Volunteer • Corps, and of tbo various friend* of the com- ' pany, I have been requested to ask you to ; honour them by laying the foundation stone j of their new drill shed. I am oncouraged to ■ do this by bearing m mind tho well-known > fact of your frequently expressed sympathy > with all matters connected with the corps for > the past few years ; and also that you are a I younger representative of tboso ladies of tlio ; district who so long ago as 1872 contributed i largely to the fund organised for tho erection of the first volunteer hall. Their example on i that occasion is likely to be worthily followed m this our new undertaking, and I trust that \ on this foundation atone may be creeled a [ building which will long bo a credit to the ' volunteer corps and their numerous friends. In thoir name I again humbly desire that you will declare this stone well and truly laid.— ■ (Signed on behalf of the company), G. J. Mason, secretary. Terauka, September 22nd, ■ 1856." Mr Mason then handed Mra Hayhirst a very handsome silver trowel, bearing the following inscription :— " V.8., Tcmuka Rille Volunteers. Presented to Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst on the occasion of her laying tho foundation atone of their new drillshed. Sept. 22nd, 1886." Mrs Hayhnrst having received the address and the trowel replied as follows : — "Officers and mon of the Temuka Rifle Volunteers — I can assure you that it is with no small degree of gratification on my part that I havo accepted your invitation to perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of your new drillshcd. T congratulate you on the prospect of soon having a building much more spacious and convenient than the present one, m which the various evolutions which aro necessary may be gone through with more credit to yourselves and more satisfaction to your ofTlcers. In fact, tho erecting of a new drillshed proves that you aro earnest m your work, and by your regular attendance at drill show yourselves desirous of becoming a well-disciplined and efficient body of men, fully capablo, Bhould it ever be necessary, of resoluto action m defending the honour of your country and protecting those who are nearest and dearest to you." (Loud applause.) Mra Hayhurst having then declared the stone well and truly laid, tho men gave three hearty cheers for her, and thveo for jilr Rolleston, who was also present, and to whom Captain Hayhurst affirmed that the Company mainly owed their new drillshed, ho having exerted his utmost endeavours to obtain Government aid for tho purposo. The Company then inarched to tho drillshed, where a cold collation was laid, at which Captain Hayhurst prosided. After this had been done full justice to, the customary loyal and other toasts, were proposed and duly honoured. Short speeches were mado by ' Mrs Hayhnrst, the Uev. T. ?A. Hamilton, the Hori. W. Rolleston, M.H.R., Majors Uamerslcy, Young, and Kewall, Captains Havhurst and Bryar?, Lieutenants Findlay, White, and Cross, Dr Campbell, Mr K. F. Gray, Mr A. W. Gaze, Mr J. Talbor, Mr Clinch, and Mr Lloyd.