THE RETURNED TROOPS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 13 May 1901, Page 3

THE RETURNED TROOPS.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 11. The Premier has been advised that Private Lindop, who was dangerously ill at Pretoria, is now much better. The Monowai, with the returned contingenters arrived at 2 o'clock. The troops landed at 2.15 p.m. in a drenching rain. They paraded in the wharf shed, and a band played "See the Conquering Hero Comes." The Hon. Messrs Mills, Carroll, and Hall-Jones, Sir Arthur Douglas, Colonels Newall and Sommerville, Major Owen and the officers of the garrison were present. Despite the rain, some threq or four thousand people, including a large number of ladies, assembled on the wharf, and cheered the men heartily. The Premier and the Mayor delivered short but enthusiastic addresses of welcome, after which there were cheers and counter-cheers. The Premier announced that he had extended to the men the privilege of telegraphing free to their friends. He also said that the Blenheim, Nelson, and West Coast men would leave here by the Tutanekai to-morrow afternoon; the Gisborne and Napier men

would proceed home by a steamer leaving I on Monday afternoon; those from the | West Coast of this island) would go by a I special train on Monday morning; and the Aucklanders would also proceed as far as New Plymouth in the same train. The men were entertained at lunch this afternoon. The men who returned from South Africa were entertained at the drillshed by the Government. The Premier presided, and was supported on his left by the Mayor, and on his right by Major Crawshaw. There were also present the Hon. W. Hall-

Jones, the Hon. Mr Mills and the members of the Federation Commission, including Captain Russell. The Mayor proposed the toast of the Ministry in a speech eulogistic of their action in regard to the despatch of the contingents for service at the front. The Premier's reply was on similar lines to the speeches he delivered at Christchurch and Dunedin. He also spoke on the subject of despatching another contingent to assist in bringing the struggle to a conclusion. All the toasts customary to such a gathering were honoured, and the proceedings were very enthusiastic. Captain Russell said that so far as the Opposition were concerned all party squabbles had vanished the instant Parliament was brought to face with the question of giving assistance to the Mother Country in her hour of need. Captain Russell then proposed the toast of the 'Local Force," coupled with the name of Colonel Newali, whom he congratulated on the distinction of C.B. which had been conferred on him, the toast being heartily received. The Nelson and West Coast portion of "he contingent leave for their homes by he Tutanekai this afternoon. The Auck'and, New Plymouth and Wanganui detachments leave by train in the morning, the Napier and Gisborne men sailing tomorrow in the Te Anau.

CHRISTCHUBCH, May 12. The North Canterbury men among the returned troopers had an enthusiasttic reception at Bangiora on Saturday. There vas a great gathering of people from the surrounding districts, and after a procession through the town addresses were delivered by Mr Buddo and Mr Meredith, Vl.H.R.'s. The men were entertained at linner in the evening, and subsequently it a social gathering, where each trooper was presented with a framed and illuminated address.

DUNEDIN, May 12. The members of the contingents recently returned who belonged to the rowing clubs .vera entertained last evening. Sergeant/. Scott, in the course of his speech, referred to the indignation felt it the misstatements made concerning Colonel Robin. While surprised and iniignant, he could say that there was not an atom of truth in them. Speaking for :he Second Contingent, he would say that i Colonel Cradock asked them to go back 'o-mcrrow, they would go with him first, Dat if he did not ask and Colonel Bobin lid, they would willingly go with him. He ■ould not find language to express his indignation. Colonel Bobin treated them ! ike men* and they had the greatest respect for him.

Sergeant Wright endorsed Sergeant Scott's remarks. Colonel Robin was a strict disciplinarian, and if a man -was guilty of "pointing," he came down heavy upon him, which might account in some measure for the birth of the statement. Sergeant McDonald and Trooper Haydon warmly endorsed their comrades' remarks.

Major Crawshaw went" on to Wellington on Friday night, and is expected to reach Timaru in a day or two. This notice to go north rather took the Major by surprise; but as the Premier put it, so we are assured, "you take the men on to Wellington as commanding officer. Colonel Robin had his torn in Dunedin,' Major -Jowsey at Timaru and Christchurch, now it is your turn." 1

Colonel Jowsey, Captain Bourn, Sergeants Bailey, Grahame, and Jowsey, Corporal Coupland, Bugler Strachan, Privates Knubley, Stone, King, Hutton, Lillburne, Greig, and Macfarlane, returned home by the express train on Saturday afternoon, and met with another enthusiastic reception from the Mayor, the officers of the Timaru corps and other public men, and a large concourse of relatives and wellwishers. All were heartily welcomed by their nunmerous friends, and as the carriage containing. Colonel and Mrs Jowsey drove off to the hospital, the large crowd of spectators gave three hearty cheers. Messrs Gunn and Kent drove Colonel and Mrs Jowsey and their son, and Captain Bourn, to the hospital in a cab. High

street, from Mr Gunn's house to the hospital, was decorated with bunting, the front of the hospital was also decorated, and after leaving the cab at the gate, the party walked through an arch erected across the path to the building. This had been erected by the carpenter and nicely dressed by the nurses. At the door, che hospital staff, and on the balcony above i few personal friends, were waiting to welcome the Colonel, and gave him hearty cheers as he approached. Then a hearty handshaking and greeting all round occupied a few minutes. The party then went upstairs to the resident surgeon's rooms, where Dr Munro played host at afternoon tea. Glasses were then filled, ind the health of Colonel Jowsey, Captain Bourn and Sergeant Jowsey, was proposed by Mr Hole, who congratulated the Colonel on the honours he had had conerred upon him, and was sure that all his lads were pleased that his services had been recognised in that manner. He had , taken away a lot o3 untrained men, from the plough and the shop, and the sheep run, and had bronght back experienced soldiers. He had perhaps had more

trouble than if they had been trained men, but they had given as good an. account of

themselves as volunteers could have done. On behalf of the Hospital Board and staff he was very pleased to welcome back their house steward again after a year's hard work in South Africa, and was glad to see him looking so well. The whole town was glad to see him fyack, and he was pleased to have this opportunity of saying so once more.

Mr Kent congratulated Colonel Jowsey on having brought so many of his men safe home from all the perils of war, perils which those who stay at home-can little appreciate. Dr Reid said it 4s always pleasant to welcome home a soldier, im-ch more fc when the soldier was a man they aU knew. They knew that the New Zealanderr. would do themselves and the colony credit when they* went away. But he was astonished at the position they took in the

Army, and proud that so many of them belonged to Tiniaru. He was glad to welcome Colonel Jowsey back to the hospital, where they had all missed him. Personally he had always found him courteous and able, and he was pleased to see him back again. Dr Hogg, who claimed a longer acquaintance with the Colonel and Mrs Jowsey than anyone else present, as they were together in the hospital oveu twenty years ago, was very glad to welcome him back. No doubt the New Zealanders had gone through a lot of hardships, but they had gained a name for themselves and th? colony, He had heard from friends ir.tf

Home that they were very highly thought of, and he was quite sure that Colonel Jowsey and his men were quite equal to any of them. Mr Gunn spoke of Colonel Jowsey as a close personal friend of many yeara standing, and expressed his great pleasure at seeing him home again. Colonel Jowsey, who was much affected, said he had highly appreciated the receptions given him and his men at Dunedin and Ghristchurch, but he felt the reception they had at Timaru. To come home to the place where he had lived so long, ; and to see again the old familiar faces, he felt much more, and now on coming back to the spot that had been his home foi so manyl years —he could not say what he

felt. In a few briefl references to the war, he said that the New Zealanders—the Third Contingent not less than others —tried to do their duty, and he believed they did it well, and his lads deserved all the credit that had been given them. Better men never went into action. He took

away a good many from Timaru —his owe son among them—and brought back good soldiers. He mentioned one or two who had turned out exceptionally well. He hoped now to settle down in Timaru, but if their services were needed again, he and the lads of the Third would be ready to respond.

Captain Bourn and Sergeant Jowsey also acknowledged the kindness of their receptioni and the good wishes expressed towards them. Dr Munro thanked the nurse 3 for decorating the hospital, and remarked that whan het looked round the Colonel would admit that Mrs Jowsey and the staff had kept the institution in pretty good order during his absence. He congratulated him oe his safe return and wished him a long and

happy life in future. I Colonel Jowsey and his son - then enter- I tained the party by showing a number of I

curios they have brought home with them In the evening several of the troopers were in the streets, and each was surrounded by a curious knot of friends and others eagerly listening to tales oii contest* with Beers or with hardships in South Africa.

la the evening Colonel Jowsey and hb son; were the guests of the Timaru officer? of the South Canterbury Battalion at a social gathering at the Empire Hotel. A lew well-known citizens were of the party, and His Worship the Mayor, Mr C. N. Macintosh, presided. After the toast of " The King," the Mayor called upor Lieutenant-Colonel Surgeon Beid to propose the health of the guests. Dr Beid said that though they might hare found one more adequate to the task, they could not) have called upon one who would perform it with greater pleasure. Apart from what he was as a soldier, Colone: Jowsey was every inch| a man and a gentleman. He had known him intimately for fourteen years, and the longer he knew, the more he respected and esteemed him. They had respected and esteemed him before. Now they were also proud of him. He was very glad to see that the Mother Country had acknowledged his merit. It' was no doubt a difficult thing to pick out those of exceptional merit among such numbers of volunteers whose patriotism took them to the front, and whose courage wont the admiration of the whole world,; it was, therefore, something to be proud of that the Mother Country had picked out our Colonel and made him a C.M.G. (Applause.) It showed that his merit must have beer more prominent than that of many other brave men who fought with him, and he felt personally pleased and proud of the .'feet. They were also justly proud of hir, recognition by the colony, in the step ir rank given him. They all knew what the New Zealanders could do, and it was needless to say that they did not disappoint us, and when they read the telegrams from

time to time that the New Zealanders had done so and so, and of their individual and collective bravery, they were justly proud of them, and no toast would be drunk in New Zealand with greater pleasure than that of " The Beturned Troopers" who iiad done the colony so much credit. (Aplause.)

In responding, Colonel Jowsey expressed gratification that Dr Reid, with whom he had been intimately associated for many years, had been asked to propose the toast, and that he had done so regarding him as a man and less as a soldier. He was} glad of this • opportunity to meet the officers of the Battalion, and would never forgßt the kind reception they had giveo him. His association with them, in vol-

unteering and civil life had always tt&n pleasant, and he could assure them that it had not been without its use to him ir. South Africa. Out there he had re-

called to his mind many a remark made by the officers when they were discussing the work of field days and camps, as to what might be done in such and such circumstances, and the hints gained on the plains and downs of New Zealand had been useful on the veldt. (Applause.) They forgot much of the volunteer drill, a,nd dropped much of the red-tape out there, ana some of the orders given would scund odd in the drillshed. Yet drill was a very good thing, in<? should be gone through c j every young fellow. And they should certainly all be trained to shoot, for the very existence of the colony might some day depend upon every man being able to use a rifle properly. (Hear, hear.) Sergeant Jowsey briefly thanked the company for the toast. They went to Christchurch raw recruits, but they went to South Africa meaning to do their duty, and the receptions given them since their return showed that the people admitted that they done their duty. Colonel Jowsey proposed "The Volunteers," and in doing so asked leave to give the officers present some advice. Referring to his commanding officer, Colonel Moore, he said he had met many officers of all ranks, but not one for whom he had a greater respect, nor one who had a better knowledge of military matters and equipment. He reads, and keeps himself abreast of the times, and surprised him (Colonel Jowsey) in a short conversation they had had, with his knowledge of the equipment of the army in South Africa. He earnestly urged captains of companies, the juniors, and every volunteer, to give Colonel Moore all the support they possibly could. If the battalion organisa- I tion was to be the rule in future, then the success of the battalion depended upon the j captains of companies, all pulling together, amicably and zealously, and on behalf of Colonel Moore and himself he urged them not to let trifles stand in the way of active co-operation. The battalion being the unit, every part of it must work together, and little differences of opinion must De adjusted with that end in view. If the captains differed in opinion, they should refer to the commanding officer and loyally accept his decision. In conclusion, Colonel Jowsey said he woild be going to Wellington sliortly, and lie asked for suggestions of mai-DS.-s which lie might bring to the notice of the Pepaument. All the officers present responded—Captains Gillies, Beckingham, Raymond, Foden, Jackson, Lieutenant-Colonel Surgeon Reid, and Lieutenants Amos and Wood, Captain Raymond suggested that an effort should be made to get the volunteers supplied with the .303 rifle without delay. Dr Reid suggested that all battalions should have an ambulance equipment. There is a medical staff, and for want of equipment they on field days can onlv sit and look on like dummies —a humiliating state of things. Lieutenant Amos urged the need for supplying Cadet Corps with a, light weapon. Here the Cadets hav«f to use old Sniders, which are too big and too heavy, as well as worn out for shooting purposes. Captain Ja.cksnn supported this. Instead of shootir.ij being a pleasure to the boys it was a to them. Captain Foden mentioned the need for brown belts, etc., to match

the khaki uniforms, and supported Dr Reid's demand for ambulance equipment.

Mr Hamilton proposed the health of the Mayor, and irj doing so said he had been lost sight of because he had voluntarily taken a back seat during the receptions, in order to allow Mr Hole, the late Mayor, to rpfoijn charge of the proceedings. Mr Macintosh would, however, make his mark in the future. The Speeches he had made in the Council showed that he had his facts well collated, and ha had a forcible way of putting them. He predicted that five years hence he would have the confidence of the whole borough. The toast was drunk with musical honours. The Mayor acknowledged the toast and then bade the iompaoy good night, the rest remaining for

an hour or two longer listening to some reminiscences of South Africa related byColonel Jowsey. The Orari railway station was packed on Saturday afternoon when the express drew in from the north with returning Troopers W. Clouston. (Geraldine), H. Bennett and T. R. Tindall (Four Peaks), and J. W. Canavan, J. Henderson, and C F. Vernall (Orari). The men were given a very warm reception by their relatives and friends, and addresses of welcome -were made by Mr A. W. Ensor, on behalf of Orari settlers, the Rev. Staples Hamilton, chaplain of the Geraldine Rifles, on behalf of Geraldine and Orari, and Mr Crosbie on behalf of the Te Moana and Pleasant Valley people. A special drag was waiting to convey Troopers Bennett and Tindall to Four Peaks, and Trooper Clouston I came up to Geraldine in the mail coach, and was received with cheers all along the line. At Geraldine flags were hoisted on business places and on the Town Board office in honour of Trooper Clouston. On Friday last a great crowd of people assembled at Waimate railway station, awaiting the arrival by branch train from the express train of Troopers Munro, Kelcher, Butcher, and Cooper on their return to Waimate from South Africa.

The town was gay with bunting, a halfholiday was observed, and large numbers of people from the surrounding district were present. The Studholme Mounted Rifles and the Waimate Rifles were present nearly in full force, and eight of the latter

formed a team and drew a gun-carriage mounted with an imitation Long Tom gun, which did good service in firing a salute and in the conveyance of the troopers after their arrival and during the procession. After being heartily cheered the troopers were mounted ran the gun-carriage and the proeession accompanied by the great crowd proceeded to the platform erected at the Town Hall, where the returned troopers were received by Mr J. Manchester, the Mayor, the Mayoress, Captain Garland, Mr Douglas, chairman of the County Council, Lieutenants Hurst and Jackson, _ and the members of the Reception Committee. Enthusiastic speeches of welcome, and expressions of pleasure at the safe return of the young men, of hope for their success, and "thanks of the people of town and country were given by the Mayor, Mr Douglas, Captain Garland, and Lieutenant Hurst. The Rev. Mr Morrison offered thanks to God for the safe return of the men, and prayed for their future success. The town and country people could not have done more to welcome the troopers than was done. It is arrangeed that on the return of other Waimate Volunteers, expected shortly to arrive, a social meeting will be held to give them a welcome. As the returned troopers are still under military discipline, being under orders, for instance, to parade at their various centres when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall ind York arrive in this colony, they do not freely express any opinion on purely military matters connected with the war; but a very entertaining hour can be passed in their company listening to anecdotes and experiences when they were " off duty." All speak very highly of the climate in the Transvaal, and agree that it will be a, great country when, twelve months or so hence, the land is once more at peace. At present they strongly advise no one to go there with the intention of " settling down," a new-comer can get no further than Capetown, unless he is prepared to ake up a military life, for the only "employers of labour" are the recruiting sergeants who besiege the new-comer until he joins some Horse or other, or goes back to the, land he came from. Experiences of "sports" are very interesting, there being plenty of game, both fur and feather. In the hills hares grow to a very large size, but on the plains they are smaller than our rabbits. An amusing capture of a hare was told by one of the men. A column of about 10,000 men, among whom were several New Zealanders, were camped in some rough country, thej tents forming a kind of circle. The men were taking it easy on the first afternoon at the camp when up jumped a hare in almost the centre of the camp.

The din which arose as puss was sighted was enough to scare any Boer within a hundred miles. The men quickly formed a circle, the hare ran hither and thither as the men closed in and at least one Tommy fell on top of the quarry, and 20 or 30 men " sacks on the mill" on him.

But Tommy stuck to his kill, and was rescued still alive, and with the hare almost quite ready to be put in the jug. On another) occasion a springbok bounded along the colonials front, and a rush was made for a rifle. A New Zealander was the first to get hold of one, and he quietly remarked to the others, "What's the range?" "500" facetiously remarked a chum. Up. went the sights, a cool aim, bang, and over tumbled the spriDgbok, very much to the onlookers' surprise. And when they picked up the animal, it was found that the bullet had taken the quarry fair in the head—and said the proud sportsman " What price judging distance and a running target now ?" These were diversions that were greatly enjoyed, for the memory of them lingered long. An incident that shows how quickly and almost how perfectly horses are trained for military purposes was the following. The New Zealanders and others were camped at a place close to which was stored a quantity of dynamite and nitroglycerine. Most of the.men were away bathing, having previously turned their horses loose oh the outskirts of the camp.

Suddenly a deafening boom was heard ; the men scrambled out of the water, and looked in all directions for signs of a shell, concluding that a Long Tom had opened fire on them. They neither heard nor saw a shell, but as they looked about they saw the whole of the horses stampeding for camp. The mem expecting to hear the call "boot and saddle," hastily put on their clothes (some ia. fact only put on their shirts or pants), and made straight for their camp. When they got there, each man's horse was in the lines, and the horses used by the artillery were by the guns. The colonials, particularly, were astonished at this as it was the first time they had been given practical illustration, of what a horse will do. The men found that the sudden alarm had been caused by a case or two of the dynamite accidentally exploding. The colonials speak very highly of the Mauser rifle, which " has a sight as fine as a needle point, and is very effective at 2000 yards." The Boers did effective shooting from 1000 to 2500 yards with it, but very poor shooting inside the 1000, when the British coming on to the charge they ceased firing and ran, not in company, but m twos and threes until they had gone a few miles, when they again took up a position. When it was a case of mounted men v. Boers, with no artillery on either side, the Mauser bullet was the first to be heard, for the British had to get inside 2000 yards before effective work was done. Lucidly the percentage of deaths from Mauser bullets was low; the wounds being so clean cut that recovery was rapid. One strikes a sympathetic cord when talking of the loss of horses. Men who looked death sternly in the face day after day, saw comrades fall by their side with that ghastly shiver that told only too plainly that the bullet had gone home, got very fond of their horses, gave them pet names, and when the poor brutes got past work from saddle soreness or want of feed, parted with them with deep regret. When cases were truly hopeless, the "friendly bullet," as it is called, was merciful; but in many cases horses were turned loose and after a good spell were fit for work again; but very often Boers not Britishers got hold of them. Saddle spreness was a prolific cause of breakdown, and he will be very much the horse's friend who will in, vent a lining for a saddle that will reduce the chances of sore backs to a minimum. We have here given the merest scraps of entertaining conversation, which the troopers' friends found deeply interesting.