Crimean Veterans.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11392, 24 October 1904, Page 7

Crimean Veterans.

TO THX XDITOR. Sir, — I am very sorry to say, sir, ,that there are only a few old veterans left to take part in the re-union of. the soldiers and sailors who served in the Crimean War. Fifty years have passed since those memorable days, and we have never yefe had a re-union. A few of the old Die-, hards have responded, and I am looking forward to having a good time on the sth of November — Inkorman Day. Tho few old veterans wJio have passed both bullets are going to have a dinner and a talk over old times and such memorable • events as the charge of the Light BHgade, the Battle of Inlcevman; the Storming of Sebastopol, and the hardships of the first winter in the Crimea, when thousands perished for the want of food and clothing, or were frozen to death. Memorable is the .charge of the Light and. Heavy Brigades- at Balaclava. I was pn outlying picquefc duty oa. the River Tchernaya, with James McCauley. We gavo the alarm that tho Cossacks were on us, •and when daylight came on the morning' of the 25th Sir Colin Campbell, with his Highland Brigade, was waiting ior them. We were engaged half an hour before the cavalry came from Lord Ragjaa. Trusting all the veteran* that can possibly come will communicate with me without further delay.— l am, etc., CHARLES JEFFCOTT. Late 57th..

The temperature readings af the places noted below were as follows at 9 o'clock this morning:— Auckland 64, Gisborne 68, Napier 58, New Plymouth 59, Wangaiitti 59, Wellington 60," Nelson 62, Westport 58, Greymouth 60, Christchurch 57, Dunedin 55, and Invercargill 55. . A deputation from the Harbour Board, consisting of Messrs A. D. Willis, M.H.R. (chairman), W. G. Bassett, T. B. Williams, J. B. Murray, and C. F. Millward, left for Wellington by to-day's south express, to urge the Wanganui Harbour Board's Eim-, powering Bill on the Local Bills Committee of the House. In addition to putting on a snagging party on the river flats, the Harbour Board has decided, as soon as all obstructions have been removed, to put on tho Priestman to clear a narrow channel through the place where the steamers stick, if it is foUnd that the material can be satisfactorily liandled. Mr A. D. Willis. M.H.R., and Mrs Willis, of Wanganui, wfio were to have left the colony on a trip round the world in December, have cancelled the arrangement owing to the ill-health of Mrs Willis. Mr Willis informs us that this is not correct. Unfortunately Mrs Willis has not yet regained sufficiently in" health to permit ot net making the trip intended, but Mr Willis will fulfil the programme. > Mr R. J. Guthrie, agricultural representative of the Sydney Mail, was in town this morning, going on by the afternoon express to New Plymouth. Mr Guthrie, tvho is visiting New Zealand in orde* to write up agricultural matters, purposes spending a few days in Taranaki in order to study the dairy methods in vogue there, and will probably return from the butter province in time to be present at tho Palmerstou Show. He will probably Bpond a month or six weeks in New Zealand. Athletes and cyclists will notice ,in our wanted columns an announcement to the effect that nomimatioiis for the Marton Athletic Club's sports, to be held on tho 9th of November will close on Saturday next 29th inst., with the secretary, Mr A. Way. In addition to ordinary events, leaping competitions will also be held for ponies, maiden hunters, and local horses, which should attract good entries. Programmes may bo had on application to the secretary. * Mv F. R. Field,' who waited on the Works Committee of the Harbour Board to-day with referenco to his scheme, said that he had told members that good ,resulls would follow its adoption in a few weeks, and though some of the Board were inclined to be a little doubtful, he would K o even further, and say that an appreciable improvement in depth would be immediately observable. He had, he stated, had conversation on the subject with the Eneineer-in-Chief of the Marine Department, and the Surveyor-General, who agreed with him. and spoke in >praise of the scheme. He added that he had made a trial iv driving willow stake 3, and found they could be sunk to the depth required, three feet, without difficulty, and urged that the matter be given earnest consideration, and if it was decided to adopt it, to rnnke a start as soon as possible.