THE "GLORIOUS FIRST"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 23, 22 October 1920, Page 7

THE "GLORIOUS FIRST"

SOUTH AFRICAN BATTLES

RE-FOUGHT

The fcwenty-first anniversary of the departure of the Ist New Zealand Mounted -Rifle Contingent for South Africa oh October 21, 1899, was celebrated last evening in Dustin's rooms. Cuba Street. Maior-General Sir Alfred Robin was in the chair, and he was supported by Colonel Mitchell, M.P., Colonel Matthew, Major Wood, and Colonel J. G. Hughes. The General, who at the time of the South African War ranked as colonel, was O.C. of the contingent, having at the time associated with him many officers who rendered distinguished service in the recent' war.

Several, apologies were read; including the following from His Excellency the Governor-General. Lord Jellicoo:—

Dear Sir Alfred Bobin.—l understand you are the chairman- at tonight's annual reunion and dinner of the First New Zealand Mounted ■ Rifles Association, on this t'he twentieth occasion of their reunion. Your thoughts will turn towards tho dav oil which you and your comrades sailed from New Zealand in the Dominion's first overseas expedition for the assistance of the military forces of the Empire. ~ 'The fact- that it is also the anniversary of Trafalgar, "Sailors' Day,' is a. sign of tho unity and co-opera-tion between Navy and Army, which went far to assist our ■ cause in. the late war." Whilst taking part in the celebration of ithe Nay> League to-niyht. my thoughts will turn also to you, and I send theau few lines of warm pood wishes to you a.iul to your gallant comrades.--"-* _ Yours sincerely, mMC()JSi The anniversary is' maintained in fitting manner each year, and as on previous occasions a feature of last eveningh gathering was the drinking from the massive "cutter" which, obtained' on tho troopship e'n route to Home, and hafl served as a truo loving cup for tho renimuihi of the hint band. Ihe (-■nut-ial menu, inscribed with the moll') of the Kirst New Zealand Mourned ];i(le.s Association, "Ake, Ake! Kin Kaha! TTuatiina. Auhaiana!" was designeod by Mr. C. L. Jewell, of Auckland, veteran meniber, whose services in keeping tlio memory of the contingent ever green were specially mentioned during tho evenin' The contingent was present at the relief of Ivimberley, Witteborgen, ■pnardebun?, Johannesburg, Drieiontem, and Diamond Hill. „ The evening passed v oii successtuliyj and pride of place was occupied on tile short toast list which was gone through by "Comrades Who Havo Gone Before.

Reference to the departure of the first I contingent to the South African War was made by lord Jellicoe during Illaddress at the Trafalgar Day celebrations at the Town Hall-last night, recollect that on this day tv.-enty-one vca'ra ago. tho first New Zealand c tin«ent of the Expeditionary I'prco tor South Africa left these shores, lie remarked amidst applause. I hat was tho first occasion on which New /.rain™ lifid contributed ft military lorco for wie assistance of the British Empire, and not far away at this moment the survivors' of that contingent are holding their annual reunion. J know enat you will send them a message of lioarty I thanks for what they did for the li>ro- | pire in that war in South Africa, ft nil of hearty good' vriehes for tho future. [ (Applause.)