VOLUNTEER BANQUET.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3843, 10 November 1883, Page 3

VOLUNTEER BANQUET.

The Napier Rifle Voluntqers entertained tlioir officers at a banquet in the Masonic Hotel on Thursday iiiylit. His Worship tlio Mayor presided, and seated on Ids right wcro Major Routledgo, Captains Blythc and Garner, J. Sheehan, Esq., M.H.R., iind W. O. MoLcod, Esq. On his left were Captain Prcocc, K.M., Liouts. King, Duncan, and Ross, Sergt.-Major Ciuitlo, Sergts. Tankard, Utindon, aud Slater, and W. Onto, Esq. Col,-Sergt. Chicken filled tho vice-chair in an able manner. After justice had been douo to tho μ-ood things provided, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were drunk with musical honors. The Vice-Chairman then proposed "The Officers of tho Napier Rifle Volunteers," and in the course of a lengthy speech spoke in a very flattering manner of the valuable services rendered to tho company by Captain Blyfche. Lieut. King was an officer of whom they felt proud, as ho had worked his way up from the ranks, and he was glad to say that the company had entire confidence in the ability of I heir officers. Capt. Ely tho replied in an able manner, and regretted that he could not devote muro timo to the affairs of tho company, for he had taken a great interest in the volunteer movement. He felt proud of tho efficient state of tho company, which was duo in a great manner to tho pains taken by tho officers under his command. Liouts. King and Duncan also responded in w a suitablo manner. Lieut. King, in a neat and appropriate speech, proposed "Tho Staff," which was responded to by Major Iloutlcdgo, who mentioned that at tho present time there was far too much talking in tho ranks both of tho Rifles and Artillery. Scrgt. Galbraith then proposed " The 1 , . Battery Napier Artillery." Song, "Shamrock of Ireland," Sergt.

Barry. In replying to the toast Captain Garner maid ho considered it would bo an advantage if the two branches of the service were combined. The Artillery and Ilifles had hitherto worked harmoniously in the past, and ho trusted that the same good feeling •would be shown in the future. "Our Visitors" was proposed by Scrgt. Pram, and responded to by Mr Me'Leod. Song, " Tho Island Home of an Englishnuiu,''"rrivato Williams. "Tho Non-Commissioned Officers" was proposed by Capt. Blythe, who spoke in eulogistic terms of tho services rendered to the company by those gentlemen. Ho also mentioned the difficulties fcho company had to contend against in the want of permanent quarters, and suggested the advisablity of erecting a shed on the range for tho acommodation of the marksmen. Ho also thought the maximum number of a company as at°prcscnt constituted was too low, and said, if companies were formed tit Hastings and Waipawa, it would induce the Napier volunters to attend parades more regularly, und tho result would, be tho formation of n decent battalion. He had much pleasure in handing , to tho company a modal which had been forwarded him for competition by Mr Bed ward. Bocitatiou, "Charge of the Light Brigade, Mr Toyohenni. Tho remaining i<> -»1* wnra " Our Hon. Membertf," proposal ' ; .'ergfc. .Duncan, and

responded to by Mr Oato ; "Napier Rifle Volunteers," proposed by Capt. Garner, and responded to by Capt. Blythe; "The Press," "The Ladies," "Our Host and Hostess," and " Tho Chairman." The whole affair must be pronounced a thorough success, and wo hope before long to hear of a similar gathering, which does so much to cement that friendship which should exist between volunteers.