The Interprovincial Representatives.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1891, 25 January 1875, Page 2

The Interprovincial Representatives.

Public Reception. rlhe Volunteer Representatives from the various parts of the Colony to compete in the Annual Government Prize Firing were received by the Volunteers of the Thames and the public on Saturday afternoon .with great eclat. Although the Thames has long been notable for its superiority over other portions of the colony in respect of the numerical strength and general efficiency of its Volunteers, such a turn-out as was witnessed on Saturday has been seldom seen previously; yet the full strength of companies, we are warranted in stating, was not fully represented. The several corps mustered at their respective drill-sheds, namely—the Navals, in the Naval Hall; the Scottish, Rifle Rangers, and No. 2 Companies, in the drill-shed of the Thames t'cottish ; and\No. 3 Hauraki Rifles in their Hall, Shortland, whence they marched to Grahamstdtvn, and took up position in Albert street; the Maori Corps also marched from Shortland under the command of Captain Taipari. The muster amounted to nearly 300, officers and men. The Navals turned out, minus rifles, (as advertised previously) to the extent of over 100, exclusive of the band; and looked as fine a body of men as could be wished^ while their efficiency in their duty was no less striking. The Thames Scottish numbered from N 70 to 80 rank and file, and also presented a fine front, their gay uniforms and regular movements making them conspicuous. The attendance of grey-backs~as the tweedclad corps are denominated—-was pretty strong. Of No. 3 there were about 30 men; of No. 2, 30; Rifle Rangers, 25. The Cadets mustered well, there being an attendance of 40, including officers. The Thames Scottish Band, and that of the Navals were present with their respective.,companies, and Piper Fotheringham was at his post to render what musical assistance he might. This visit of the representatives being an event of some consequence., great interest has been taken in it by all persons, and the natural consequence was that the number of citizens who came to witness the reception was exceedingly: large. From half-past three o'clock persons began to flock towards the vicinity of Curtis' Wharf. Old men with beards and young men without beards ; women with children and women without; boys of a complex variety of ages—all turned out to sea the reception. The balcony of the Exchange Buildings was crammed with spectators, ladies and men j as also were the roofs of several houses in Albert street offering a position from which might be seen all that was going .forward. The windows of the Wharf Hotel and Curtis's were ornamented (or otherwise) with heads. In fact no available place that offered a convenient stand *for obv servation was left untenanted. At four o'clock the whole body of Volunteers were formed into one formidable line, extending from Curtis' Corner to the wliarf approach, the Scottish and Navals occupying positions at the two extreme ends? Many remarks were : made upon the military display, and expressions of admiration at the appearance of the men were not by any means infrequent. The Maori corps, or Parawai Volunteers, displayed remarkable proficiency—remarkable, when it is remembered that the men have had little time for practice in their solditrly duties, the company having been formed quite recently. They wore a uniform of blue serge, of which they were evidently not a little proud; they were also furnished with: arms and accoutrements, and did not distinguish themselves by any awkwardness in the carriage of the same. One circumstance connected with the reception was unfortunate—there occurred

A TEDIOUS DELAY in the arrival of tlie representatives ; and the chief reason of this being unfortunate was that the companies hacl, as before stated, been formed into line by; Major Cooper, and the effect of a waiting must have been very irksome and fatiguing. The Volunteers nevertheless bore this with commendable fortitude, and the spectators also displayed a perseverance in remaining, which was perhaps born a determination to see the ceremony out. During the time that was spent in waiting for the arrival of the representatives great amusement was given by old Piriela (an ancient aboriginal, well-knovrn' to many) who constituted himself a kindof constable of the space between the civilians and the line of Volunteers. Stick in hand and tremendously excited, this old gentleman employed himself in the pursuit, and vigorious chastisement of all the dogs —of which, there were many—who intruded within the precincts of this to him consecrated space. His was an onerous task, and the manner in which he performed it was so excessively funny as to evoke considerable merriment. This old hero of the Maori race subsequently escorted the Volunteers to Parawai, and on the line of march took upon himself the protection of the procession from the friendly but intrusive attention of little boys. The two bands above mentioned also served to relieve the monotony of this waiting by playing some excellent music of an inspiriting kind, and Piper Fotberingham exercised his instrument .for the benefit of the assembled mass.

THE AERIVAL eventually took place. The dolay to which reference has been made above was caused by a difficulty in getting the steamer alongside the Tararu wharf. The Captain of the Luna on approaching the wharf, turned her head, passed the wharf, with the object of turning so soon as he

got passed, and bringing the steam.T alongside the end of the wharf. This was found impracticable however, as when half way round it was found impossible to bring the steamer's nose in a lino with the wharf, as she was broadside on to the wind. After repeated attempts, it was found necessary to drop anchor when she swung round with the tide. Those gentleman who went to receive the Representatives on landing were—Captain Fraser, Messrs J. D. Grant, Walker, Bagnall, and McCullough. Mr Horton and Captain Brassey, members of the Reception Committee—came down by the Luna; There were besides, Mr James Mackay, junior, Inspector Bullen, Sub-Inspector Newell, Mr Stevens (Secretary Prize Fring) and others. The representatives on landing on the wharf were formed into line by Major Stapp, and marched in this manner to the terminus, where they filed off and took their, seats in the cabs which had been engaged to convey them to Grahamstown. Arrived there, they got out at the Marine Hotel, and were escorted by the Committee to where the Volunteers were drawn up, and where took place

THE FORMAL RECEPTION, which was wisely conducted as briefly as possible. The Mayor was present to deliver an address of welcome, which he did as briefly as follows :— ■ : • ' ; The Mayor : Colonel tyon, —On behalf of the inhabitants and Volunteers of the Thames, I beg to welcome you and the representatives under your charge. We trust that you may fully enjoy yourselves during; your stay ambng us, when: your duties will permit you to do so I again heartily welcome you to bur midst. Colonel Lyon replied: I thank you, Mr Mayor, on behalf of the Representatives, for the kind manner in which you; have received them; and I feel certain that they will be only too proud to,be on the Thames. The pleasure at the kindness which they have received from you will be heartily felt by,the Representatives. Again thanking you for the flattering and cordial manner in which you have received us, I will not detain you longer. ; , • ) Captain Fraser then called for three cheers for. the representatives, which were heartily given, the streets ringing with the hearty peals of the good old English three-times-three. The order was then given to: march, ;andjthe\ representatives proceeded in line past the Volunteers headed by the Scottish Band, and the Thames Volunteers, having been formed into marching order, four deep followed. The. whole body then proceeded to Parawai to the Camping Ground, the Bands playing alternately by the way. At the Rob Roy, the Volunteers broke offsaye a party; of the ::Navals, r who.' were told off tc see to the conveyance of the representatives' luggage across the water, the which duty they performed with great expedition by the aid of a boat. Having arrived on the Camping Ground the representatives at once set to work making preparations for "shaking down" in their quarters. Most of the Thames Volunteers returned' from Parawai in irregular order, some walking' and some taking advantage of available buses. The Nasals being the last to leave, returned in inarching order—the greater part of them—headed by their band, and arrived in Grahamstown at about 9 o!clock, when they- dispersed at the drill-shed.

THE CAMP ° Presented a very picturesque sight. On reaching the summit, of Parawai Hill, the plain on which it is pitched can be fully seen, and the picture disclosed is very like what many of us remember to have witnessed in tho old days of Maori war time, when Papakura, Otahuhu, Drury and such districts were out-posts. A large concourse of people visited the camp on Sunday, and there, can be little doubt but that ladies would have been amongst the number had it not been there were some men and boys apparently lost to all sense of decency, bathing in the exact spot were the horrid raft, yclept a "pontoon bridge" is placed for the conveyance of persons wishing to cross the river. There are in all about 40 or 50 bell tents, besides marquees, two of which latter are used as dining rooms, where the representatives and others mess". The Colonial flag flutters from a flag staff at the Telegraph Office. .; Mr Curtis has constructed a commodious kitchen and store-room, which should answer all the purposes required for the supply of the inner man.