“RUNNING THE CUTTER.”

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1929, Page 5

“RUNNING THE CUTTER.”

A NOVEL LOVING CUP. . WELLINGTON, October 19. When the first contingent of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles was returning to New Zealand in 1901 on the troopship Orient after the South Afiican campaign it was the rule -for -ale to be sold from the canteen at the rate of one penny a pint. In the course of the voyage someone hit upon the plan of presenting at the canteen an outsize in pannikine—procured from the ship’s hospital—and often as not the imperial pint ,was swollen to meet the capacity of the pannikin. At the conclusion of the trip tho happy idea arose of. preserving the enamel mug as a loving cup to bo handed round at each annual reunion, and the practice has been carried out regularly since. The scheme was advanced another step when it was decided to inscribe the date of each reunion on n shield on a silver band encircling the mug. After 29 years the greater part of the original chipped enamel has now disappeared beneath thrae broad silver bands, and it will not he long before a fourth will be. needed.

The first inscription to be engra'ved on the mug is as fellows: “ New Zealand Mounted Rifles Association. Founded on H.M. Troopship' No. 26 Orient: .Tan. 22nd, 1901. Ake, ake,” On the troopship'the handing in of the pannikin was termed “ running the cutter,” and the phrase has been preserved. At the 29th reunion last night the president of the Association, Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, referred to the time-honoured custom, and, in taking the first drink, said: “ Here’s to many happy returns of this day and many more happy meetings of you all.” Similar sentiments were expressed by each veteran as sips were taken in turn.