The Young Soldiers.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 145, 1 July 1901, Page 1

The Young Soldiers.

BY ("The Warrior.”)

Tiik ( ‘lets returned on Thursday morning. Prouder persons than these youngsters it would be hard to find, and as they swaggered around, some with canes in then hands, it was quite evident that they were travelled passengers. As they left the boat on Thursday morning they lustily cheered the Union Company, the captain of the Waihora, and any and everybody who had ministered to their comfort. They were, however, glad to get homo again, and as they neared the wharf they cheered for good old Gisborne. At Christchurch they found that a new soubriquet awaited them. One youngster eyed them askance, and then remarked to another, “ I say, Bill, this is the 1 Let ’em all come ’ crowd.” One of the Gisbornites immediately asked for permission to leave the ranks, “ What for ?” asked the officer. “ To teach that lad manners,” was the searching reply. He was advised to remain where he was and keep himself for greater battles. The scornful way in which other cadets were looked down upon by those from the farthest north was delightful to behold. The Gisborne and Matawhero boys made common cause against all enemies

till they got on board tne Wui'nora by themselves. Then questions of precedence arose, and a champion from either side was put forth to do battle for his side. Tlie Waihora rolled considerably—so did the combatants. “Go it, Gisborne ! ” ‘■Go it, Matawhero! ” rose above the thumping of.the ongincs, and things began to look ominous, when one of the officers appeared on the scene, and threatened to put the combatants ashore. “ Three cheers for Gisborne," was lustily responded to by both sides. “ Three cheers for Matawhero ! ” was given equally loud. “No one has won," delightfully exclaimed the smallest boy of the crowd, and so the battle ended there. There were lnutteriugs, however, and the affair was to bo settled in Napier. So many attractions met the boys there that they forgot all about it until they joined the steamer. Then it was further adjourned to Gisborne soil. The most amusing aspect of the whole affair was the delightful innocence displayed by all the boys when one of the masters appeared shortly after the bloodless contest. “Well, what do you think of the Duke?” was the question asked of one boy. “ I’m not in a position to say,” replied the budding general. “ Why can’t you say? ” “ Well, we only saw his moustache—all ■he rest. wn ennlfl snn \vn« hn«hv ”