SMOKE CONCERT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5859, 29 April 1897, Page 4

SMOKE CONCERT.

In the evening the members of the contingent and some of those of the Bisley team mustered at the Chnstchurch railway station in order to march to the Chamber of Commerce, the scene of the valedictory smoke concert tendered to them by the volunteers of this district. Fifty-four of the contingent fell in on the platform, formed sections ot fours, and marched through the streets, headed by the Garrison Band and followed by a large crowd. The marching, especially that of the Europeans, was decidedly good. The hall of. the Chamber of Commerce •was very effectively decorated for the occasion. Permission had been given by the officer commanding the district for the old colours of the Canterbury Volunteers to be displayed, and a large number of pot plants and floral decorations had been generously lent by Mr Jones, of the Exeter Nurseries. The chair was occupied by LieutenantColonel Gordon, and the vice-chairs by Sergeants-Major Foster and Coward and Chief Petty-Officer Twomey. Among those present were Major-General Sir George Whitmore, Colonel Fox, Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, Major Sir iArthur Douglas, Undersecretary for Defence, Majors Slater, Sommerville, Wolfe and Madocks, Captains Eobini Brown, Harnian, Palairet, Snow, Donald, Hobday, Lieutenant-Commanding Joyce, the Hon James Carroll and Mr G. Fisher, M.H.R. There was a large attendance of members of the Permanent Artillery and of the volunteer corps of .Christchurch, Lyttelton, Kaiapoi and Eangiora. • The toast of the Queen having been loyally honoured, Colonel Gordon proposed the " Navy, Army and Volunteers." Sir Arthur Douglas reponded for the navy. Sir George "Whitmore, in responding for the army, said that the great value of the •contingent which was about to go Home was that it would help to show not only England, but Europe, that the Mother Country had a reserve of men in these colonies on which to draw in case of need. Captain Hobday, in responding for the volunteers, said he wished that more of the New Zealand volunteers had the chance of going Home and availing themselves of the facilities which the trip offered for improving themselves. ' Major Slater proposed the health of the New Zealand Contingent. It was, he thought, to a certain extent, in accordance with the fitness of things that he should propose this toast, for, though not the senior officer present by rank, he was the ssenior by length of service. It was, he thought, a wise act of the Government to send Home a contingent to represent this remote colony. (Hear, hear.) He charged those who had the honour of going Home to so conduct themselves that when they returned the people of the colony might be proud of them. They should remember that individually they had to sustain the houour of their respective corps, and collectively the honour of the colony. .(Hear, hear.) He must congratulate Colonel Pitt on having been appointed to the command of such a smart contingent, and also on having to assist him such a capable officer as Captain Robin. (Applause.) The toast was drunk with musical honours and enthusiastic cheers. Colonel Pitt, who was greeted with warm - applause, thanked the Christchurch volunteers very heartily for the reception given ■ 'to the 'contingent. The honour, not only of the ' New Zealand forces, but of New Zealand itself, was in the hands of the . contingent, and he felt that if anything went wrong it would reflect upon him , personally. He was cheered, however, by the facts that he had the assistance of so , efficient an officer as Captain Robin (Hear, hear), and of an officer who was exceedingly well spoken of by the commanding officer of his district, and of a sergeantmajor who fitted that position exactly. (Hear, hear.) He thought that those who , had seen the members of the contingent would admit that they were not by any means bad specimens of the manhood of New Zealand (Hear, hear), and he felt sure that they would uphold the honour of New Zealand. They had manifested a most excellent spirit, and had submitted cheerfully to th« strictest discipline. The occasion way a unique one, and the contingent was in out* sense, unique, for it comprised members of the Native race of New Zealand, very creditable specimens indeed, and he knew that after the six weeks' drill they would have on ship-board they would do no discredit to the colony. (Applatise.) Captain Eobin, who was heartily applauded, said that he and the other members of the contingent appreciated very deeply the kindness of the present reception. He remarked that if other, volunteers in the colony could go through the same process it would do them more good than many Easter camps. He trusted the members of the contingent would uphold the honour of the colony, and avail therusolves of the opportunity of learning their work,' which the visit to England would afford them, and that the people of the colony would bear them in mind 'when they wore away. (Applause). The company here rose to their feet and srmg.the National Anthem. • Lieutenant Dougall proposed the health of the Bisley team. Owing to the fact that only enrolled volunteers could joiu it the team was not the best that could be picked in New Zealand. Nevertheless, he felt sure that it would worthily xiphoid the honour of the colony. (Applause.) That the team was going Homo at all w.as due to the energy and perseverance of one ■ man, Major Sommerville— (loud applause) —who well deserved the name of the father of rifle shooting in New Zealand— (applause)— and he had great pleasure in coupling his mime with the toast. The toast was drunk enthusiastically, with cheers and musical honours. Major Sommerville, who was warmly applauded, returned thanks, and said that it was true that the team was not the Lost that could havo been picked had

Rifle Club men been included. He wished to correct a wrong impression that he was more for shootirg than for the volunteers. He had been a volunteer for thirty-soven years— of continuous service— and he was second to none in his desire to uphold the honour of the volunteers. He felt, however, that a most essential thing in a volunteer was to be able to Use his rifle. (Applause.) The company here rose and sang " For i they are Jolly Good Fellows." Colonel Fox, who was greeted with enthusiastia and prolonged applause, said that there was one point which had not been spoken of, which he would ask the members of the contingent to bear in mind when they went Home. The object of their going Home was not only to do honour to the Queen, but to show to the crowned heads and great men from all parts of the world who would be gathered together in London that there were men from this part of the world fit and worthy to uphold the dignity and honour of the Empire. He -was glad that there were among them members of ,the Native race of New Zealand, for their presence would show that among those who would uphold the Empire were men of other races than the English. He was also glad that a rifle team was going Home. It was said that it was not the best team that could be sent, but it would do no ; harm to let people at Home know that there were even better shots in the colony. He would counsel all those who were going Home to work hard until what they had to do was done, and then, but not till then, to play. (Applause). "Rule Britannia " was here sung by the company with great fervour. The Hon J. Carroll said that Colonel Fox had hit the true nail on the head, and they should all bear his words in J mind. .Notwithstanding anything which might be said derisively of the volunteers of the colony, he thought that the fact of the contingent going Home would actually save more than the few hundred pounds which it cost, for the men who went Home would learn much which they could with great advantage impart to their comrades when they came back. (Hear, hear.) He was glad that a rifle team was going Home. It had been said that it was not the best that could be sent, but he was sure it would do worthily. (Hear, hear.) He thought that if there had been proper public spirit in New Zealand, the team would have been sent Home without the Government having been appealed to for a penny. He was certain that if necessity arose, the Maoris would not be found wanting in courage and loyalty — (applause) — but could be relied on for the defence of the country. Among the Maori members of the contingent were men, such as Sergeant Uru, SergeantMajorTarehaand Captain Brown, who were men of high lineage, the names of whose forefathers were renowned in the history of the country. Sergeant-Major Tareha's father had fought for the Queen against his own people, and had saved the lives of many white settlers. Mr Carroll expressed hearty thanks for the hospitable entertainment of the contingent and the team in Christchurch, and said that in Wellington they had received no recognition whatever, save that the people had turned out, and heartily cheered them on their departure. He thanked Colonel Gordon for the tactful and genial manner in which he had presided, and concluded by calling on the company to again drink the health of the contingent and team. This was done with great heartiness, and Colonel Gordon, in a few fitting sentences, bid farewell to the members of the contingent and team, and the proceedings closed with the National Anthem and " Auld "Lang Syne." During the evening the Maoris, led by the Hon J. Carroll, sang a Native war song and a song of triumph with capital effect. j Songs were sung by the Hon J. Carroll Colonel Pitt, Captain Snow, SurgeonCaptain Parsons, Lieutenant Dougall, Sergeants Hartland and Colclough, Lancecorporal Evans (a song of farewell to the contingent) and Trumpeter Wi Tako, Private L. Lewin acted as accompanist. A recitation was given by Quartermastersergeant Lewin. The gathering was most enjoyable throughout, and reflected great credit on the committee and its energetic secretary, Corporal Millton. After the conclusion, the members of the contingent marched to the railway station and returned to Lyttelton by train at 11.15 p.m. A large number of volunteers went to the station and saw them off. The contingent and the Bisley team will leave for England by the s.s. Ruahine to-day. Volunteers who wish to see them off are informed that they should go to Lyttelton by the 10.55 a.m. train, and are expected to wear uniform.