THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2180, 3 May 1870, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The Dinner. The Government dinner to the representatives took place in Mr Murray’s new rooms, Rattray street, on Saturday evening. This is the second time that these fine rooms have been used for a similar purpose; and on Saturday evening they were set off to the best advantage, the walls, being decorated with a profusion of evergreens and bunting. The chair was taken by Lieut.-Colonel Harington, who was supported on his right by Lieut. Goldie (the champion), Mr Cooper, the Under-Secretary for Defence ; his Worship the Mayor; the Speaker of the Provincial Council, and Mr J. Mouat, M.P.C., and on his left by Major Heaphy, V.C. ; Mr C. E. Haughton, M. 11. R., and Volunteer J. L. Gillies, M.P.C. The croupiers were Major Bathgate and Captain and Adjutant Atkinson. After the capital dinner provided had been done justice to, the usual loyal toasts were proposed and enthusiastically received. Mr Cooper, the Under-Secretary for Defence in. replying to the toast of “ The Colonial Government, with which his name was coupled, said he was utterly at a loss to know why his name should have been associated with it. He was not one of Her Majesty’s Ministers for New Zealand, and was very sorry that he was not one. But for having coupled his name with that toast he had to return thanks for the honor done him. It was unnecessary for him to say that he had taken particular interest in the firing which had just concluded. The Chairman proposed the next toast, “The General Assembly.” The Assembly were the people to whom the volunteers must look for the sinews and backbone of the movement, because it was they who voted the money. From what little conversation he had had with various members of the Assembly, no matter of what shade of politics they were, there was a general feeling to support tho movement by providing the money, so long as the votes were properly ‘ spent. A great deal rested with the volunteers elves. It was not of the slightest use to grumble because they received no capitation allowance, or because they did not get this thing or the other, so much rested with themselves. He was perfectly certain that as the affairs of the country improved, and of the necessity of paying large sums of money to keep up a standing force were reduced, the Assembly was perfectly willing to give the movement every assistance they possibly could. He hoped the toast would be received with full honors, and coupled with it the name of Mr Haughton, M. H. R. (Applause.) Mr Haughton regretted that it had not fallen to other hands to respond to the toast. Ho had always done what lie could in his small way to encourage the volunteer movement by supporting it Fitb his votes, and he always intended to do so. He was quite aware that the volunteer question was one which never would allow of party difierances, but one on which all parties would do their best for the country generally. He was sure all would strive to encourage it after what had been seen during the last fortnight. He had the pleasure of coming down from Auckland with the representatives, and from what he had seen he was still more inclined to do more than he had done before for the movement. He was sure that as the affairs of the colony permitted, the Assembly would give larger sums year by year, and instead of voting hundreds of pounds as now, would vote thousands. (Applause.) The Chairman proposed the next toast, “The Superintendent and Provincial Government of Otago.” He believed he was right in saying that Otago was the only province iu New Zealand {where the volunteers received considerable pecuniary assistance

from the Provincial Government (hear); other provinces had been granted a certain amount of assistance, but that graduallydropped off, until now Otago was the only province which received it. What was the result of that support ? Otago, he confessed, had beaten the other provinces on every occasion. 'J hey were the foremost in shooting, and the most efficient from the simple fact they were less enthusiastic and energetic iu other provinces in the colony. He must give credit where it was due ; and it was due to Otago for the example it gave to other provinces. He would only, say that the .Superintendent of Auckland "(Mr Gillies) had information that they were to receive a little assistance in the same way as the Province ofjOtago gave to the volunteers here. He made particular mention of this fact because he recognised in this spirit of Mr Gillies’s, that he was profiting by what was done in Otago, and he hoped other Provinces would follow the example. He was happy to state that the Government had been pleased to place him in command of the Auckland district of volunteers on his return. (Applause.) He would say that it would be his endeavor, so far as his humble efforts would allow him, to try if they could >n . manage to beat Otago next year. (Applause.) He said this, hecaus •he felt there would he more stimulus given to the Auckland volunteers. He might say -Mr Gillies saw the necessity of representing to the Provincial Council of Auckland that there should be some grant given by which the volunteers of that Province would be enabled to hare extra drill instruction, and allow of prizes being shot for, which contributed so much to the movement. Mr Mouat, M.P.C., replied. The Chairman said he felt sure that the next tc.ast would he heartily drunk by every one present, and it was the health of the “Champion of New Zealand.” (Continued applause,) He (the Chairman) was very candid. He came down from Auckland with a very great hope that the belt would be taken from Otago to Aucklau 1. He must confess, as it was termed, that he was rather sold. However, as he had said before that day, he was quite certain, that no one of the South Island men more deserved to win than Lieut. Goldie. Ho richly deserved it, for he believed no officer was more energetic, or iaterest -d himself more heartily ip the movement than Lieut. Goldie. He considered he had won the belt by indomitable pluck and sheer perseverance, for no one had devoted his energies to the work in the same way as he. He had not only always proved himself a good shot, hut he had the honor of being the highest scorer last year, but still farther, was the best shot in the colony this year, which was something to be proud of. He could only say he would have very much preferred being iu his position than in occupying the chair. He "trusted next year the tiring would take place in Auckland, where they would he glad to receive the representatives with the greatest hospitality possible ; at the same time he hoped to take the belt of Lieut. Goldie’s shoulders and place it on those of a Northern man. Lieut. Goldie, on rising to return thanks for the honor done him, was received with cheers. He did think a speech would be expected of him ; at the same time he thanked them for the kind manner iu which they Lad expressed themselves towards him. He had tried hard to attain the position he now held, and he only endeavored to cany out the sentiments of his captain, “ What is worth doing, is worth doing well.” He had tried to do his work well. He could not say with Colonel Haring ton, that he should like to see the belt leave Otago, hut on the contrary, if spared in health and strength uutil then, he intended to go iu for it next year. (Applause.) He was very glad to think that both the General and Provincial Government had acted in so generous a manner towards the volunteers, and he hoped the other Provinces would follow the example of this, for it was something to look forward to, prizes to the value of L3O, as were given here. Mr Reynolds proposed the toast of the “ Representative Volunteers, coupling with it the name of Lieut. Barron,” who replied briefly, thanking the Utago volunteers for the reception the other representatives had received from them. The Vice-Chairman proposed the next toast, “The health of Lieut -Col Haringtou. ” (Applause.) Tbit gentleman had served Her Majesty a veil for a long time, iu various parts of the world ; and in this Colony, he believed, held several important offices, having at New Plymouth had 300!) men under his charge. He came out here six years ago to settle upon the land. When the war broke out he at ones placed his services at the disposal of the Government of the day. He was entrusted with the command of the Ist Waikato regiment, where he soon use I his experience in organising that regiment, and bringing it up to the amount of efficiency and good conduct, for which it was a model for other regiments in the district. Having said so much for him, he (the Chairman) would say that when, some three months ago, Lieut.-Colonel Harington came down here to inspect the volunteers of this Province, they were at once taken with him. Why ' because they saw he was a thorough soldier, arid at once told them t-heir failings where he found them, It was reported the Government intended to appoint him inspector of volunteers. The volunteers here would rejoice to see him here again, when he (the Vice-Chairman) hoped ho would find them improved by the good lessons lie had given them. Lieut.-Colonel Harington iu reply said he felt extremely flattered by tho handsome manner in which his health had been drunk, and he could hardly find words to express his gratitude. He only trusted that his lessons three months ago had been productive of good. He hoped iu his endeavors to recogn'se the hospitality he had received here he would never forget his duty towards them. While ho was grateful for tho friendship manifested by his brother volunteers towards him, he did not hesitate to tell them their faults or award credit where it was due. The Chaiumav afterwards proposed the health of Captain and Adjutant Atkinson. It must have been seen by the last fey 7 days that his whole heart and soul was iu the retention of the belt in the province. He gave him every credit for that feeling which he well understood iu an old soldier. He must have felt extremely prou-1 when it was won by Lieutenant Goldie. He (the Chairman) thought it was pretty well known throughout the province that the present efficient state of the volunteers here was mainly attributable to the exertions of Captain Atkinson. It must be a matter of extreme gratification to him to find that not oulyjhc had the good wishes of the volunteers but that his services were recognised in a pleasing