Presentation to Trooper R. D. Smith.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 169, 29 June 1901, Page 2

Presentation to Trooper R. D. Smith.

On Thursday evening a large number of friends of Trooper Smith met in the Redoliff schoolroom to present him with some tangible token of the esteem in which he was hold by his friends iu the Redoliff district, where he bad formerly resided for some yearn During his stay at Radcliff, Trooper Smith had endeared himself to a large number of acquaintances by many unos'O tatious acts of kindness, and Was an ardent promoter of all social fUi.otions held in the BChnOl. . On behalf of the subscribers, Mr David Ross handed Trooper Smith a handsome albert chain of Waitaki gold with a Maltese cross attached, bearing on one side the inscription, “ Presented to Trooper R* IK Smith by Redcliff friends on his return from South Africa,” and on the reverse side, Third Contingent, N.Z.M.R., June 20tb, 1901.'*’ Mr Rosa said that owing to the illness of one of the subscribers-, Mr A. M'Neil, it was'at first thought desirable to postpone the presentation-, but that gentleman wished the recipient to have an Opportunity of displaying his present to bislate comrades in arms at the coming “gathering in Christchurch to welcome His Royal Highness the Duke of York. Trooped Smith, in thanking his friends for such a beautiful and unexpected pr* e it-, disclaimed any pretensions of being a ■fasio. He, in Common with all colonials-,. ; had tried to do his duty, and if till Mother Oouistry again required bin services be would be pleased and proud to offer them. The company then drank the gallant soldier’s health, accompanied with musical honours. Dancing *was kept up till morning. Mr J. Wall was an efficient M.C. and Mr W- Bain played with his usual skill. The refreshment department' was ably attended by Misses Gameronv Wall and Anning, helped i>y the willing assist xnoe of several bachelors. Several ladies and gentlemen sang some very pleasing songs during the gathering. It is to be hoped that the early termination of the Transvaal war, with consequent return of Troopers Gleddes and Scott to their homes at Redcliff, will enable a similar pleasing function to be shortly repeated.