VOLUNTEERS' SOCIAL.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 3, 11 June 1898, Page 3

VOLUNTEERS' SOCIAL.

It seems to be the correct thing now-a-days, when reporting & social, to say that it was "the best of the kind ever before held," whether it was or not. In speaking of the Waimate Rifle Volunteers' social) held on Thursday evening last, we are going to use the same hackneyed phrase, but this time it is the perfect truth. Never before has a Volunteer social been so largely attended or so much enjoyed by those present. Shortly after 8 p.m. the Grand March was ed off, to the music of Messrs Inngdown (violin) and Collins (piano), by Captain and Mrs Coltman, followed by ex-captains Gapstick and Grant and Sergt-Major Jones. Over 70 couples joined in the march, while a large number remained sitting. Later in the evening a number of others arrived, so that the floor was well filled at every dance. When half-a-dozen dances were over, a welcome breathing space was afforded by the distribution of prizes. The Volunteers were drawn up across the floor of the Hall, the white belts and facings against the blue uniforms making a brave show. Each man as his name was called ascended the platform and received his prize from the fair hands of Mrs Coltman, who also pinned the medals on the manly breasts of their winners. The following is the prize list in the order of meiit : — Second-class shots trophies. — Prvt. E. Goldstone, biscuit barrel ; Prvt. W. Thomas, teapot; Prvt. J. Manchester, riding whip; Sergt. Mines, pair vases ; Prvt. Geo. Wilson, pair vases ; Prvt. J. Goldstone, table. Anniversary Special Prizes. — Corpl. Harwoods prize, Lance-Corpl. Collett ; Mr Abquith's prize, Bugler Jackson, Gaptain Coltman's prize, Prvt. Butt; Mr Smith's prize, Corpl. Harwood; Mr J. Manchester's prize, Prvt. Butt ; Prvt. Jones' prize, Prvt. E. E. Jones. Money Prizes.— Sergt. Jackson £3 16s Bd, Prvt. Williams £2 15s 6d, Prvt. Butt, £2 4s Bd, Gapt. Coltman £2 4s Id, Prvt. F. Bennington £2 3s sd, Prvt. E. E. Jones £1 .19s 4drOoipl. Harwood £1 14s 9d,- Prvt. A,

Inkster £1 14s Id, Prvt. Thomas £1 9s, Prvt. 0. M. Wilson £1 Ss, Prvt. J. Goldatone £1 8s, Sergt. Bateman £1 6s 7d, Lxnce-Oorpl. Oollett £1 as Bd, Gorpl. Smith 18s lOd, Prvt, Batcher 17s Bd, Sergt. Smith 17s 2d, Galsergt. Inkster 16s 9d, ex-Oapt. Grant 16s, Lance-Gorpl. Bermington 15s Id, Prvt. E. Goldstone 14s 7d, Sergt. Sanders 13s lOd, Prvt. Manchester 7s 6d, Private Sinclair ss, Prvt. M'Taggart ss, Sergfc. Mines 3s, Lancecorpl. Eussell -3s; Prvt. T. Goldstona 23, Bugler Jackson 2s. Ladies' Belt— Prvt. C. M. Wilson. Gold star — Pivt Williams. Silver star — Lancecorpl. J. Bennington. Champion gold medal — Sergt. Jackson. Aggregate gold medal — Sergt. Jackson. M'Lsan trophy — Prvt. A. Inkster. As Privt. Williams was receiving the gold star, Capt. Goltman mentioned that he was the oldest member of the corps, in fact he was at present the only volunteer who had joined at the forming of the company, 13 years ago. Prvt. WilJiams had served the oompany faithfully and well and they would all be pleased at the honour conferred on him. The Ladies' Belt had this year been won by one of the recruits of the company, Prvt. G. M. "Wilson. The competition for this Belt was very keen, and this made the win of a young shot more creditable. The Belt, he might add, was presented to the Company by the ladies of Waimate some eight years ago and had to be won three times before becoming the property of the holder. They were very largely indebted for the Belt to the energy of an excaptain of the company. He referred to Mr Capstick, whom he was pleased to see present. During some subsequent remarks Gapt. Coltman thanked those present for their attendance. He read apologies from Lieut.-Colonel Bailey, Colonel Moore and Adjutant Wolfe, but said that although these gentlemen were unable to be present they had with them Sergt.-Major Jones, who came prepared to enjoy himself and to help everybody else to do the same. Mr B. Nicol, Mayor of Waimate, spoke a few words to the gathering. He felt proud of the Waimate Volunteers, who consisted of men who, regardless of time and expense, devoted their leisure hours to preparing to defend the honour and glory of their country. After all, one of the best guarantees of peace was to be well prepared for war. Every young man ought to join the Volunteers, the drill and the disipline would do them good, would strengthen them and in every way make them soldiers of which New Zealand might be proud. He would call for three hearty cheers for the officers and men of the Waimate Volunteers. These were heartily given and then dancing was resumed and kept up, with only an interval while refreshments were handed round, till half past two. Between the dances songs: were sung by Sergt, Major Jones, and Mr B. Kilgour (senr,), while a sword dance was, given in capital style by Mr Boreham to th« music contributed by Piper Cooper, who also supplied music for a Highland sohottische.. It is only necessary to say that the catering was in the hands of Mr Symon to indicate its quality, and the Volunteers' Committee who attended to the handing round, saw that every one was attended to. Mr Prank Draytoa made a capital M. 0., the floor was in good - order, and the music was all that could be wished, a happy combination that left nothing to be desired.