THE SOLDIERLY SPIRIT.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14976, 25 May 1914, Page 7

THE SOLDIERLY SPIRIT.

aTIZENS' SOCIAL TO TROOPS

IN KING EDWARD BARRACKS

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

The citizens' social to tho troops of • tho Christchurch Garrison held in King Edward Barracks on SatuitLiy night was a great success, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the officers aud men . o*> well as by the large number of citizens, chiefly Honorary Territorials, ' who attended. Tbo wet weather at Kowai Camp, and the consequent pros- • sure of training ou fine days, made it impossible to hold the customary sports meeting, and tho money which had been subscribed by citizens for that purpose was used as tho nucleus of o „ fund to provide a -social gathering for the men, to show the citizens' appreciation of tho splendid spirit displayed by them under very trying and adverse conditions. The idea was taken up with enthusiasm by many citizens, who subscribed most liberally. The scene presented iv . - King Edward Barracks on Saturday night was ono long to be remembered- * Tho eastern end of tbo great building presented a very cheerful picture. Ninelong rows of tables, reserved for the officers and men, wero loaded with cakes and light refreshments of all kinds, and bcautifuly decorated with vases of flowers. Across tho top end was a long table reserved for citixcßand their ladios. Huge braziers filled with flaming coko were placed at in- —' torvals round tho tables, and served. to warm the great building very effectively. The officers and men of tbo itt Mounted Rifles, E 'Battery, Ammunition Column, Engineers, Ist (Canter- . bury) Regiment, and tho Signalling and Ambulanco Companies, attended to the number of well over o'CO. Tho Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H; Holland) presided, Colonel V. S. Smyth, Ofl*ic_r Comnuinding tbo District, being seated on his right, and Colonel G. J. Smith, Commanding tho Canterbury JnXantryBrigade, on his left. Other officerpresent included Colonel E. Richardson, Captain A. C. B. OUch-ey-Sal-raouson. Contain A. C. Robinson, and the officers commanding companies. Amongst tho citizens present wero:— Messrs H. G. Ell, M.P., A. H. Turnbull, K. W. Relph. H. R. Smith (Town Clerk), W. W. Charters, G. Harper, E. C. Brown, C. F. Thomas, H. J. ' - Otley. J. J. Dougall, js. Henderson, and E. C. Brownell (i.M.C.A). Apologies for absence were read from the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defenco, General Godley, Colonel , Slater. V.D., the Hon, C. Louisson, -. M.L.C.. Messrs. L. M. Isitt, M.P., AE. G. Rhodes, A. Kayc, Cyril Ward, and J. C. Adams. Tho Minister of Defence and General Godley both express- , . ed their thanks to the citizens of Christchurch for their entertainment of tbo ' troops. The proceedings, which were most enthusiastic throughout, wero enlivened by tho playing of the bands of the Ist Mounted Rifles (C.Y.U) and - tho Ist (Canterbury) Regiment. THE MAYOR'S SPE-SCH. Tbo Mayor, who was received with loud applause, eaid that on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch ho had very v great plcasuro in tendering the troops'. of the Christchurch Garrison this oocial,'.' in recognition of their" groat services at" Kowai Camp. Not only the citisjens, but their own conunanduig officer, wero proud of them. They had performed their duty with .a whole-„oartcdne_ .- which had won them tho admiration of, tho wholo city. They had had a vory arduous timo in camp, but their conduct and bearing had gained tho highestesteem of General Sir lan Hamilton and General Godloy. Tbo citizen* had dc-' sired to show tbo men their apprecia- *___ tion, and they had done so in this _cnsiblo manner. Tho very inclement - weather experienced during tho camp ■ had marred tho pleasure of tbo troops in carrying out their duty, and had »n ■ -i pleasure caused the lons of their en- . joyment of tbo usual sports. When tho . idea of tendering tho men this social .- - was proposed, tho citizens had rosponded most liberally, and so had tho loading musical talent in providing t_io programme.

As knowing the whole-hearted spirit of tho citizens, the Mayor aajd that ono - gentleman when approached for a subscription had asked him "How„tnu_b do you wantr-£5, -£10, or £15?" Wlicn told that only £1 was wanted, ho had replied that ho would give any amount to this object. Continuing, tho Mayor said that lie. had had tho great privilego of seeing with his own eyes tho magnificent-,-march-past of tho troops before General Sir lan Hamilton at Kowai, and hn folt that tho men deserved sincere con-.-rratulation for tho splendid Bhow they had mado. Ho had seen for himself tho u-tjd in tho camp, and tho deep quagmires in the lines, aiid he had personally visited many of tho tents, and what h*» had seen had convinced liim that iho men had mado uo their minds to do their duty-and make the best of tho exceedingly uncomfortablo conditions. He felt sure that the training was doing them good, and ho wished that tho ag** might bo raised so that he ootild take part in -.the training himsjelf, beoouee tho men ho had -poken to in camp had • ar-sured him that they were having the timo of their lives. (Ixrad laughter and cheers). Ho wr-hcd to tell thorn that New Zealand was a country well worth protecting, and that tho people had to_depond not on tbo guns alone, but chiefly on the men behind the guns, In tho OTonfc of an inva-ion, the people would hare - to stand either in front or behind tha gun», and for himself ho would mtJch, prefer to he behind tho guns. • Hero in New Zealand they were spending a. million a year on education * they spent - hugo _us__ on hospitals, old ago pensions, and widows' pensions, and the? had compelled employer* to insure their employees. ' against accident. Sorely, therefore, they would not grudge the sacrifice entailed in the' protoetion ano insurance of this great country againai invasion. Tho troops who had behaved ao w at Kowai had gone to camp to do their duty. and thr-y wero pot bore to bo "niolly-coddiod," Ho hoped that iv futuro they would camp under u»uo« rcQ-o favourable conditions. They had dono thoir duty liko men, and the c»t'- ... inns desired him to soy how hiphl* - , tjiev appreciated the spirit that had prompted them so to do. (Loud and prolonged cheers and applause). COLONEL SMYTH REPLIES. Colonel'V. S. Smyth, Officer Commanding the District, who was cheer©-! o;. rising to respond, said that In wished to convey to tho Mayor and . citizens of Christchurcb, ou behalf ol his officers and men. sincere tbanki for the kind hospitality shown them for what they had done in camp. ..-■--. "Wo don't think mnch now of what we ditl and had to put, up with ie camp," continued Colonel Smythj 'But, though, owing to the very pud weather, wo misf**-d training, there was ono sort of training wo all got—the most important of all—and that was tho soldierly spirit. Wo toad to put up with real hardships at Kowai . and all the men showed the trq© sol- 4 dierly spirit. It was-their creat spirit^

jbat enabled mc to hold on to the end ' ot tbo camp, "which 1 was very anxious to do, and both General Sir lav Hamilton and General Godley were pleased that we did so. I shall be leaving you men for twelve months, but I want you to remember the motto I set for you in my recent orders, namely, that you will be 'Second to None,' and I hope when 1 ,conic back that I shall find you so." (Loud cheers). At" tho call of Colonel Smyth, tbs officer*- and men rose in a body ana gave three rousing cheers for tho Mayor and citizens of Christchurch, fr.llowed by three more for Mr W. W. Charters, to whoso efforts the success •of th 4 gathering, was largely due. During the evening a splendid musical programme was gone thronch, includiing'quartettc- by 31essi*,s 3iillar, Cook■soii 3iarch and Vincent, songs by .Messrs A. Scott, C. and W. Joll, Captain T. 31. Charters and QuartcrmasHeald and a by 3lr R. Vincent, several encores hav-** ing to be given. A special feature was tho disnlav of films by Hayward's Pictures, Ltd.," which included many military subject*-. tSoine fine films showed tho British Autumn Manoeuvres, the Swedish Miiitarv M-uwuvres and drill, a drama, entitled "A Soldier's Furlough." and two comedies. "Fntty Joins the Force," and "Two Highland Lads." Them-"""•ring conc'ur'ed with tho paying of tho National Anthem by the* Regimental Bands.