GRAND ANNUAL DINNER AND BALL BY THE MASTERTON VOLUNTEERS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2309, 13 January 1866, Page 8

GRAND ANNUAL DINNER AND BALL BY THE MASTERTON VOLUNTEERS.

(from our own corbkspondknt.) Tub combined Cavalry and Infantry Volunteers of Masterton and vicinity, gave their grand annual Dinner and Ball on the 29th ult. Mr. Bannister courteously placed his large new 50ft building at (heir disposal. Jt was beautifully decorated with evergreens, and the insignia of the royal arms &c. The chair was taken by Cn.pt. Smith, Captain Donald in the vice chair. A first class cold collation got up in Spiers' best style, who was chef de cuisine on the occasion, was done ample justice to. Amongst tho general company present I observed, Captains Boys, Burton Boys, Bunny, and Foirbrother ; Lieutenants Jackson, and Udy ; Ensigns Kempton, and Leydon ; Drs. Spruit, and Smith, J. Masters, and A. Renall, Esqrs. The hon. Major Coote, and Captain Leatham were prevented by hub's position &c, from attending. After dinner the Chairman (Capt. V. Smith) said, the first toast he had to propose was one which did not require to be accompanied by many remarks. He would, however, remind those prc- j Bent, that in proposing the health of the " Queen." he was referring to a Sovereign whose constant aim throughout her long reign, had been to live supreme in the hearts and affections of her subjects. He trusted the day was far distant when tho people of this country would regard the name of the Sovereign of Great Britain, with other feelings than those of affectionate respect and genuine loyalty. Drunk with all the honor.*. Song " God Save the Queen," by Sergeant Roberts. The Chairman next proposed " His Excellency the Governor Sir George Grey," Mid in doing so paid, many were probably not aware of the very difficult nature of the duty, which a Governor of a country situated as this had to perform : being expected on the one hand to act on the advice of the Ministry of the day who represent the interest of the colony, whilst he is on the other told also to act in accordance with Imperial instructions, which arc often inconsistent with, or entirely opposed to Ministerial advice. Those, however, who best knew the Governor, felt convinced that lie took a deep interest in the welfare of this colony and its settlers. Drunk with all the honors. Several other toasts were afterwards proposed, amongst which were " The Colonial Defence Force, and Capt. Leatham." the " Carterton, Greytown, and Featherston Volunteer Companies," and "Capt. and Adjutant Cleland." In purposing the C. D. Force, tho Chairman paid a high compliment to the orderly deportment, discipline, and efficiency of the corps, and mentioned the pleasure lie had felt in representing such to the G ovemment. Sergeant Roberts in the absence of Sergeant Major Rcvcll, returned thanks in an appropriate speech, for the courtesy shown in inviting tho troop, and the friendly disposition always evinced towards them by the settlers. Capt. Fairbrother returned thanks for the other companies of the district, alluding to the pleasure and benefit derived from such re-unions, and their essentially beneficial effect on tho natives

Mr. Masters in an eloquent spcecli proposed the healths of Captains Smith and Donald, and tho Volunteers of Masterton, and in an .amusing strain described I ho changes wrought in fhemein uul deportment of t lie; se!tbiv>, consequent on Volunteering, He also alluded lo iho grand. >ys!ematie style of volunteering which had taken such deep r.iot in England, commanding Ihe iuvolun- ' l:;ry respect of ICuropean nations. C-.ipt. tSmilli luring replied on (ho part of (he Tiifatil ry, Capl. .Donald returned thanks for the Oava'ry, and in a few sententious remarks alluded the necessity of Cavalry in the Hold in combination with the Infantry, the great pleasure ho experienced in commanding his own corps, who to a man were prepared to take their part in the field if called on, and expressed a hope that, re-unions so gratifying as the present one, might be more frequent. Capt. V. Winith having proposed the health of Capt. and Adjutant CJeland, that gentleman in reply ex- j presssd the grout pleasure he I'olfc at the terms in : which the Chairman had alluded to him, and he trusted that the good feeling which had always \ been shewn towards him might long continue. ! He expressed a high opinion of the proficiency of j the Volunteers of the district in drill, and said that the military (raining which they had undergone, j h.id caused a marked improvement in their gene- . rol appearance. The ladies, and other toasts were omitted, and the audience having become tired of ! so much after dinner eloquence, and warlike sen- j timents, adjourned to smoke a cigar or the calu- j met of peace. j At 9 p.m., the building, brilliantly illuminated and arranged for dancing, was thrown open, j Messrs. Linn and Clements, from Wellington, dis- i coursed some excellent music. An adjoining re- . fi'oshment room was supplied with everything in I the edible line, and wine &e., ad libitum. \ Sergeant Roberts ncted as master of eermonies. ! It was a great success from first to last, and is . generally acknowledged to have been the best s Volunteer Fete that lias ever taken place in the Wuirnrapa.