A FAREWELL DINNER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 326, 29 January 1902, Page 2

A FAREWELL DINNER.

SPEECH BY COLONEL DAVIES,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, last night,

Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, who goes in command of the Eighth Contingent, was farewelled at a dinner last night by the officers of the Auckland garrison. Responding to the toast of his health, Colonel Davies said there were those who were inclined to belittle the British officer. His experience at the front had taught him that, as a whole, they woro as fine a lot of fellows as one could possibly meet. A soldier to he thoroughly fitted for his occupation must have training and discipline. The time, no doubt, was not far distant when greater responsibility would be thrown on tho officer commanding a small unit than had been tho case in tho past, when they would have to act on their own initiative in many cases, and thus accept greater responsibilities. This meant higher training. The system of loose fighting necessitated higher training than the methods of tho past. Much had been made by foreign Powers and proBoers about the cruel treatment of Boer women and children by the troops at the front. While he was in South Africa he had never seen one woman or child harshly treated or insulted by a soldier, whether Imperial or colonial. It was rather the other way about. Tho troopers felt for the poor women and children while carrying out their duties, and assisted them in every way in their power.