Papawai Rifle Volunteers.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2033, 21 February 1887, Page 2

Papawai Rifle Volunteers.

The Papawai Hide Volmitems celebrated their first anniversary on Saturday, The men, under Captaiu Jury, mustered in tuil for inspection by Major Bunny id the fitternoon. After that a large number of viitovn, among their the Fist Jubilee lingers, striven and amost liberal epiead was duly discussed Mrs Burch prepared the supper which was excellent and bountiful, and the good things were duly appreciated. There must have been fully 'ibO pdsous present, including a largo portion of the fair sex i f Grevtown. Among the visitors present weie Mr Buchanan. M.H.U , Major Bunny, Messrs J. P. Bussell, P. Hume, A. Matthews, J. Donald, \V. C. Cuff, N. Grace, James Maoara, Vallance. W. U. Nation, Kev \V. T. Western, Dis Bey and Sprattand the officers of the Greytown Bide Volunteers, and a number of other gentlemen from Grey town, FeathetHon, and Maatettou. After the visitors and the native volunteers had duly refreshed themselves from the liberal repast provided, Captain Jury proposed " The Queen,’ which was most enthusiastically honored by both Maoris and their guests. “ The Governor " was next propose I by Captain Jury and drunk with much acclimation. Mr W C Buchanan then proposed ihe " Papawai Rifle Volunteers," coupled w in the name ol Captain Juiy. Mr Buchanan paid a high compliment to the Papawai Volunteers, and said it was an earnest of the respect and confidence reposed in them by the Government and their European fellow settlers that they were the first native company whose sei vices hud been accepted by the Government. They bhonhl be very proud of their position, and their European friends would also be proud of them as worthy

neighbors. Captain Jury deserved credit for the manner in which be worked up bis comp. nuce their errolimwi ■ud they appeared to e the material for fooa soldiers They (the Papa™ « en > h j“ always been peaceaoe and friendly her Majesty’s Eiiro,.«*u subjects. and they should feel V. ry proud to be allowed to wear the Queen's uniform. It waa a high compliment to them to bo accepted a* volunteers, and (he was assured they were deserting ot I. Major Bunny said be felt exceedingly proud to be Commanding Officer over the Art* Native Corps that had baen enrolled m Mew Zealand; the cervices of another company had been accepted since the enrollment of tb# Papawai men ao.d he was innl European Voltucteera were proud to wear* the natives as brothers in arms; be hoped to lee them go to Taranaki at the end of mU month. The Major then hearty cheer* lor Captain Jury and the VolunVeers which Were heartily respondad to by tha Vi MrJ* TC*!! then addressed tha Comnanv and pai d a high tribute of reepect to the Natives who be aaid bad been hi* bora and friends for 83 years; * M never received anything but good will from tue nstivef during the whole of that long Piripi in reply expressed hia gratification atthe g«!d feeling akown by th.> Emropmn. towards the natives, as evidence by tha manner in which they l iad met them npm •hat ocM sion ; he remarked that a few yean, ago he diit not know the Maoris wo “ ld thought to have seen their sons inred ooata; hev would doubtless have been highly indignant at the idea, but those day* sad Sms have gone now conform to the usages of the tune. as they followed the examp e of theu captain they would never regret their position , be strongly recommended the native volunteer* to obey tebir commanding officer and then they would have reason to be proud of them•elves- He had known Captain Jury tor a considerable tirns, end he nevet to do a wrong action : he thoughtthevolnm men mignt thank than captain for ffi# grmt success of th* demonstration that day. hoped that all yo»»K. n »‘ ITM W °?. iudnoed to join and join at once; be bad nothing to say against it. . •. Karatians. of Maaterton. expressed similar view* ; also several other influential native* from other part*. . ... The Papawai Volunteer* afterward* fell m, and gave three hearty cheers for Captain Cameron, Lieut* Potritt aud Johnstou and the Oreytown Rifle*, in response to the good comradeship they had alwsys shown. Three cheers were also given lot Drill Instructor Bezar. Captain Cameron then returned thank* m a suitable manner, hoping that they might always continue upon the same sociable terms, and promising every a-.sistanoe tu the future. Captain Jury then calico upon the company to give three cheers lortho Emopean Pioneer* and the Native Chiefs, which were given with enthusiasm. Three hearty cheers were givee for Mrs Burch lor the manner in which she bad provided for the occasion. Mrs Burch returned thanks in a pleasing manner, offering her services at any lime. A.t the call of Mr Brittain, the Papawai Company gave three cheer* for their officers. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mr Brittian, th* local schoolmaster, and the company wai dismissed.