BANQUET TO THE RETURNED TROOPERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 July 1901, Page 2

BANQUET TO THE RETURNED TROOPERS.

Last evening the Opera House was crowded —between 200 and 300 being present —the occasion being the banquet to returned troopers. The room was tastefully decorated with bunting and native shrubs, the stage having transparencies of the Royal Arms, Generals Buller and Baden-Powell, while the motto “ Peace and honor ” decorated the proscenium, and the Volunteer Fire Brigade banner was suspended from the gallery. The tables were plentiful supplied with sandwiches, pastry, wines and liquid refreshments of all descriptions reflecting the highest credit on the caterer, Mr .Oxenham. A number of ladies graced the gallery with their presence and seemed to take a great“interest in the proceedings. His Worship the Mayor, occupied the chair flanked on each side by the returned troopers, officers of volunteers, and members of the Borough Council, while the rifles in khaki and members of the Fire Brigade occupied the tables in the centre of the room. The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr G. W. Moss and as usual gave every satisfaction.

The vice-chairs were filled by Messrs J. Marshall and F. Campbell.

The Rev. Mr York invoked a blessing on those present and on the troopers who had safely returned and prayed that the war now raging would soon be over.

After due justice had been done to the good things provided,

The Chairman proposed “The King,” “The Queen and Royal Family,” and “His Excellency the Governor,” which were drunk with musical honors.

Mr Steer then proposed “ The Army, 3 Navy and Volunteers,” coupling it with 3 the names of Captain Morice, Lieutenants c Lntz and Bromley. Tire toast was a 3 most important one, and in reality was - only second to the principal toast of the - evening. They first came to the Navy—i the boys in blue. The Navy in fact , occupied the foremost place in English a history. But there was a vast difference i between (he Navy of the present and the - Navy of the past—of the time when . Nelson flew his never-to-be-forgotten 3 signal at Trafalgar—“ England expects t every man to do his duty.” The boys in blue did (heir duty then and they did 3 their duty now. They had always done their duty. There was a difference, also ! between the ships cf those days . and the ships of the present. There was t also a difference in the system of manoeuvres. From what he had seen in ’ illustrations and from what he had read ’ of the gathering and manoeuvring of the ’ British fleet at the Naval Review, it was a [ matter that appealed to the hearts of the , whole world. The boys in blue had al- [ ways been able to hold their own both on , land and sea, and they had shown this in the battles in South Africa, when the . Naval Brigade came to the assistance of ( the Army and were able to hold the enemy in check by means of their big naval guns. They had shown they were able to fight either by land or sea. They next came to the Army. Tommy Atkins had shown that he had not deteriorated from the stock that fought at Waterloo. He had fought nobly and well against invisible foes, and though he met with repulse at times he still fought on, and in the end was crowned with success. It was said that Britain was degenerating. It was nothing of the kind, and the soldier was as able as ever he was. The blue blood of England had often been ridiculed, but the nobility had shown that they were as ready to fight as they had ever been, and none could point the finger of scorn at them in this respect. He now came to the Volunteers. They had shown that they could fight, and had gone and fought the battles of the King, and he was pleased to be able to sea them back again. They had fought shoulder to shoulder with the regular troops, and proven themselves equal if not superior in upholding the prestige of the British flag. At the recent gathering the Volunteers made a most creditable display. If their services were required ho was certain they would all respond to a man, for they wore of the right stuff to fight for the flag. Government had not done enough in the past for the Volunteers, but he was certain it would do more. It had boon said that if a Russian man-o’-war was to appear in the roadstead and drop a shell in the town the Volunteers would all disappear. But j ho was certain just opposite would bo the , ease, and Volunteers would bo found on all sides. Their little boys in khaki —the j Cadets—had made a most creditable display in Christchurch, and had been warmly complimented. Mr Steer con- •* eluded his speech amidst a perfect outburst of applause. t Song—Mr Spindler “ Soldiers of the

nine.

Captain Morice returned thanks on behalf of the Army, alluding to the fact that they had some of the representatives of the British army present among them in the shape of the returned troopers ; their presence would act as an incentive to the volunteers now in training. He regretted that there were not more representatives of New Zealand in the British Navy, especiallv from a seaport like Greyraouth. It was not satisfactory to note the praie the Volunteers had received in tiouth Africa —higher than that accorded to the British • army. Captain Morice then read a telegram that he had received that evening from Captain Wolfe congratulating the members of the Contingents on their safe return. (Cheers.)

Lieutenant Lutz contrasted tjie state of volunteering at the present time and 16 years since when on his expressing his intention of joining the volunteer force he was told that it was only a farce but. it was not so. There were 11,000 volunteers under arms and a fine stalwart body of men they were and a credit to New Zealand. With such men they would not be afraid to face the world in arms. (Cheers) Lieutenant Bromley also returned thanks and alluded to the change that bad come over volunteers within the last two years. Previously they had been looked upon with scorn, and he instanced the fact that Brunner and Eeefton Bifles wore disbanded, but since that time their services had been solicited and the Bifles had been reformed. Volunteers were not a sham. They were made of the same « stuff that had fought the battles of * in the past and need fear no foe. He hoped that the returned troopers would go back to the ranks of the volunteers and give them the benefit of their advice and assistance, for they had learned the lesson that could only be taught in actual warfare. (Cheers). . The Chairman rose to propose the toast of the evening “Our Guests,” and in doing so said he was in the predicament of the schoolboys who had nothing to say, for the previous speakers had taken all the wind out of his sails (Laughter). Sixteen months ago the volunteers who were now present before them left to fight the battles in South Africa. Great thanks were due to the Premier for the action he had tafeen in dispatching the Contingents. Their boys had now oome back after enduring the trials and vioissitudees of a soldier’s life, and they were all happy to welcome them back. They had shown that they were superior in some respects to Tommy Atkins. They bad behaved themselves as soldiers, and no atrocities were attributed to them, thesame as had been attributed to some of the foreign troops in China. They were friendly with the Boers, especially theBoer ladies (laughter) many of whomi were very favourable to the young soldiers, but hated the cause they fought for. They had fought for the flag—the glorious flag—and at the call of duty had been as united as one man. They had fought for the cause that their forefathers had fought and died for. United with Australia and Canada, they had shown foreign nations what the colonies could do,l for they did not dream of the spirit that was in our young soldiers. The Boer war had done them good and taught a lesson that would not be forgotten, and would tend to keep foreign nations quiet If a call was made for their services, he had no fear of it being heartily responded to, and if volunteers were required they would be got. Mr Matheson then alluded to the deaths that had taken place among those who had been fighting their country’s battles, mentioning the names of Troopers Martin and Allen. The Chairman was repeatedly cheered during his speech. Song—Mr Blair, “ My Arab Steed. ” At the conclusion of the song the troopers rose and were cheered to the echo.

Lieutenant Haselden, who looked exceedingly well, said they were glad to get home. They had seen a good deal, but liked New Zealand best and Greymouth best of all. (Cheers.) They had all tried to do their duty for New Zealand and they could not forget that one of tneir comrades was left behind in Pretoria, He (Lieutenant Haselden) in conjunction with others had had a cross erected over

Trooper Martin’s grave,' and he expected to bo able to furnish photographs of it soon. Sergeant MEenzie was left behind and his captain had told him beforce he left that he expected their old friend, Charley Oribb, would receive ajcommission ..s he deserved. Lieutenant Haselden called for three cheers for Greymouth wnich was heartily responded to by the returned troopers. The memory of the departed ones was drunk in silence.

Apologies were road for the non attendance of Mr Lord who was suffering from bronchitis and from the Mayor of Hokitika and Brunner, and M#. Sheedy. Mr Daniels proposed “the Parliament of New Zealand” and bore testimony to the action of the present Government, in regard to the sending of the Contingents to South Africa and to the General policy. Song—Mr Cooks, “Out on the Deep. Mr Jay in an appropriate speech returned thanks, as their representatives were in Parliament attending to their duties or they would have been present. The Parliament had freely voted the money requisite for sending the troops away^

Trooper Brown was then presented by the Chairman with the Fire Brigade’s medal for long service. Mr James Marshall, M.0.C.. proposed “The Premier and Cabinet," It was said that the Premier was the whole Cabinet, but he bad good men with him, although Mr Seddon was one of the finest men in New Zealand. Mr Marshall alluded to the Premier in despatching the contingents within the time specified, as it was said it was impossible that it could be done in time, but Mr Seddon said it should be done and it was done. He congratulated Sir Joseph Ward on his accession to the title which he had well earned. (Cheers). Mr F. Campbell in a lengthy and exhaustive speech, in which he traced the actions of the Premier and his Government, returned thanks. Song—Mr Peglar, “Tommy Atkins.” Mr Bignell said he had much honor in proposing “The Mining Interest.” The mining interest was of the first importance in Now Zealand, more especially on the West Coast. He was but comparatively new to the industry, but when he looked round him, he saw gentlemen who had been connected with it for years. Mining was all right when it was carried on as a commercial venture but not as a speculation, and there was a great future before it. With regard to dredging there were many dredges that were not suitable for the work, and there were claims which ware barren and on which dredges should never have been placed. The in-

dustry would soon be placed on a sound and sure footing (Cheers).

Messrs J. Taylor and J. Jones briefly returned thanks.

Song—Mr G T Moss, “The Parson and the Clerk.”

Mr W Joyce in a speech that was almost inaudible owing to the uproar that prevailed proposed “The Local Bodies”

Song—Mr A. Yarrall “King of the Road"

The Chairman and Mr Staines of We stand County Council returned thanks

The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” torminated a most pleasant evening.