LONG SERVICE MEDALS PRESENTED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 850, 23 June 1910, Page 9

LONG SERVICE MEDALS PRESENTED.

' " —'•'..»' , ..' • Prior to marching.off. to Hake up their places .in -the reception o£ his Excellency ' the • .Governor, the Wellington Rifle Battalion were.' formed up for the purpose of witnessing' the'presentation' of service decorations to four, officers of : the battalion:' Colonel R.--.T-.-Collins,-1:5.0., oin whom the duty .devolved, referred to, the :fact, that these'were- the first service medals issued to the officers or- men who 12 years ago assisted-to• form the first, battalion- ot-Wcllington -Kino- Volunteers, and that Ihey . had continued to -servo Was evidenced by this decoration awarded to ' volunteers who had- served continuously and efficiently, for 12 years. The recipients were:—Captain C. Harcourt Turner, Lieutenant J. Hutchen, Lieutenant A. Mee (of the College Rifles), and Captain C. B. Harfon (Post and -Telegraph* Rifles). Colonel Collins said that in the past the defence of the Dominion was left to the efforts of the. few who bad the heart and spirit to undertake tho duty, but now that universal service was about to be introduced, this duty would fall, in just proportion upon all alike, and by these means the country would secure the requisite number and organisation needed to place the defence system upon a safe and satisfactory footing. '