KUMARA RIFLE VOLUNTEERS,

Kumara Times, Issue 2764, 31 July 1885, Page 2

KUMARA RIFLE VOLUNTEERS,

MONTHLY INSPECTION. PARADE. RESIGNATION OF OAPT. O’HAGAN. RE-ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Kumara Rifle Volunteers paraded for inspection on Tuesday evening at the Adelphi Hall. The Staff Ofiicer, Lieut. Spence, was present. After inspection the company were marched out, headed by the Brass Band, down Main street, up Seddon street, and back to Main street, when Lieut. Spence put the company through various movements in company and battalion drill. After an hour’s sharp drill the company returned to the hall. On the roll being called, 51 Volunteers answered to their names, after which, Capt. O’Hagan informed the company that he was about to leave the district, and that he was obliged to resign the position as their Captain. But one thing he was proud of—he had a gentleman to be brought forward as his successor, who would see that the company would not be at a loss ; the one he had to nominate as his successor had proved himself to be worthy of the ! position in every respect, and had been the mainstay of the company for years past. He therefore had great pleasure in nominating Lieut. Davies to be Captain. Vol. Mansfield asked leave to nominate Mr R. J. Seddon, which was granted.

A division was taken, when Lit'nt. Davies was elected by a large majority.

Lieut. Borlase thus succeeded to the first lieutenancy.

The ejection of Junior-Lieutenant was then proceeded with, Sergt. Braj 7 - shaw and Vol. M'Connon being nominated. A division was taken, with the result that Sergt. Brayshaw was elected. Sergt. Bain was elected Color-Ser-geant. The company were then dismissed. After parade the company assembled at Gilbert Stewart’s Hotel to bid farewell to their late respected captain. Captain Davies presided; on his right was the guest of the evening, and on the left. Honorary Surgeon Davy and Color-Sergt. Bain. Lieut. Borlase occupied the vice-chair. Capt. Davies proposed—“ Her Majesty Queen Victoria.” Capt. Davies said the next toast he had. to propose was—“Onr guest.’* He regretted that they had that evening had to part with Mr O’Hagan as their Captain, who had acted in that capacity for the last three years. He was very sorry to say that their late captain was leaving the district, the more so himself as he had known him for many years past—since 1867. He must say he admired him in all his doings; he was an honourable man, and he was sorry now to have to wish him good-bye. Mr O’Hagan, addressing the Chairman, Dr. Davy, and. gentlemen, said he was fully sensible of the honour they had conferred on. him when they had elected him as captain of the company, and he was pleased to see so many present to have a few parting words with before leaving. He had worn the cloth for twenty-eight years, being first a private in her Majesty’s service, [applause]—and he felt, just .as young in that respect now as ever. He was the first man to advocate Volunteering in Ross; yet he was almost a quaker, and did not believe in. going to war. But if a man came to molest his family, he should use every effort to exterminate the man’s family. He was a great believer in peace, like Mr Gladstone, but would not allow an enemy to attack the empire; therefore he was glad to see the present Conservative Government in office, for he would not allow “ the bone to go with the dog.”—[Applause.] He would not be one to join in an escapade to Soudan; but he held it to be the duty of every man, if necessity arises, to defend his country—it was our duty to defend our hearths, homes, and country.—[Applause.] He had often admired the spirit which animated the men who, after all day rolling boulders, 'brought down their rifles clean and under cover to attend parade. Although leaving Kuraara, it was a consolation to him to know that he was leaving the company in the hands of a man who was well worthy of the position of captain. Captain Davies may be said to be the father of Volunteering, in Kuraara at least.— [Loud applause.] He hoped to meet them again in uniform, which would probably be on the Prince of Wales’ birthday. He had worn the cloth so long that he would not now part with it.—[Applause.] He felt sure he was more sorry at parting from them than they were from him; but finer, more honest and faithful men he had never met. They had treated him, too, as well as possible. Though separated from them, he would think of Kumara as long as he lived; he never felt more at parting than he did now with the Volunteers and citizens of Knmara • he was more pleased at seeing so many present to wish him good cheer than if he had been bestowed with a purse of gold; and he was sure they would accept this expression with the sense in which he meant it; he would look back more upon their generosity than his deservings that had prompted them to turn out to-night in such force to wish him good-bye,—[Loud applause.] Song by Mr Corrigan : “ Par Away.”

Lieut. Borlase said he had a toast to propose—“ The health of our new doctor, Dr, Davy.”—[Applause.] He was glad to.fiud he had associated himself with the Volunteers. He hoped he was possessed of the spirit of Volunteers.—[Hear, bear.] Song by Mr R. Smith : “ Red White, and Blue.” * Dr, Davy replied that he had great pleasure in accepting the honorary surgeoncy of Kumara Volunteers.. [Applause.] He had served several years as a Volunteer at Home, and should be glad to learn to take his place in the supernumerary rank in a manner befitting the corps.—[Loud applause.]

Corporal Jones proposed—“ Success to the Kumara Brass Band, coupled with the name of Bandmaster Richards.” Mr O’Hagan supported the toast • he knew something of i he inception of the band, which numbered about twenty members. They had enrolled

five of their number (now present), which whs as many as the regulations would allow ; the other sixteen would also follow their leader, and they could not follow a better.—[Hear hear.] He regretted the law would not allow the whole lob in; but they had a acted very generously, and just as well as if they had all been enrolled.— [A Mr Richards thanked the company present for the flattering and kind manner in which they dranK the health Hannah; “The March of the Men of Haarlech.” Song .by Vol. Merveldt . The Good Rhine Wine; and Corpl. Stevenson : “ Jessie’s Dream. Yol. Verveldt proposed —“The health of Chief Lieutenant Borlase.^ Mr O’Hagan proposed— The health of our Chairman, Captain Davies. Capt. Davies responded, thanking the company sincerely. A month ago, he had no expectation of again joining them in parade; he was happy to say they had one gentleman here now who had saved one life any way—[loud applause]—through Dr. Davy his h e had been spared. He thanked the company heartily for the way they had turned out to elect him as successor to Captain O’Hagan.—[Applause.] Lieut. Borlase also replied, hoping he would be spared long to attend Yol. Jones proposed—“ The healths of Lieut. Brayshaw and Colour-Scigt, Bain.” lit [ Both officers briefly responded by thanking the company for the honourable positions to which they had been elected. Lieut.Borlase proposed —“The Bress, coupled with the name of Mr Janion. Mr Janion briefly responded. Bandmaster Smith proposed- The Volunteer spirit in Eaimara;” which was acknowledged by acclamation and the singing of“ God save the Queen. The proceedings closed with “ Anld lang syne,”