TERRITORIAL PARADE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17283, 26 September 1916, Page 7

TERRITORIAL PARADE.

COAST DEFENCE FORCES AT LYTTELTON.

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. In the Drill Hall, Lyttelton, last night a special inspection parade of the Coast Defenoe Forces was held by Colonel R. A: Chaffey, officer commanding the Canterbury Military District. Thero were present on parade the Now Zealand Garrison Artillery, No. 4 Company Territorials, under Major J. P. E. Veale, the Senior Cadets No. 11 Company, under Lieutenant J. Anderson, and the Coastal Defence Band, in charge of Bandmaster W. Sullivan. Colonel Chaffey was accompanied by Colonel C. J. Cooper, officer commanding Coastal Defence Forces; Major D. M'Donald, N.Z.G.A.; Major W. C. Finnis, Major Oakes, ana Colonels Snow and H. S. E. Hobday. Sergeant H. Rhind, D.C.M., was also piesent. At the conclusion of the inspection, Colonel Chaffey took the opportunity to present Colonel C. J. Copper, T.Dj, with the colonial auxiliary forces officer's decoration for twenty years commission service, and Major J. P. E. Veale and Company-Sergeant-Major B. W. Graham with the New Zealand longservico medal for sixteen years' service. Quartermaster-Sergeant J. W. Nixon, Sergeant C. H. Peagram: and Gunner R. Stapleton were each presented, with, the Territorial Service Medal for twelve years' service. The duty of pinning the medals was entrusted to Mrs Chaffey, Colonel Chaffey congratulating tho recipients on their continued interest in military afIn' the course of a brief address subsequently, Colonel Chaffey said that although time prevented him from seeing the men on tho march, he could congratulate Major Veale and his officers on the state of the parade generally. Since the outbreak of the war many of those present had carried out arduous duties in the coastal deience works. Many of them, he knew, wanted to get to the front, but the authorities would not grant the necessary permission. At any rate they had done their little bit. He would do his best to give any man who wanted to 20 to Europe the opportunity to do so. He paid, a tribute to the men to whom he had handed long servic* medals. New Zealand owed much to the old volunteers, whose patriotism had assisted the authorities'in. despatching the Expeditionary Forces with full quotas raised by voluntary efforts. Bo far New Zealand had dono well and he was optimistic in regard to the future. Colonel Chaffey then took the opportunity to present a handsome silver cup donated by Mr E. R. Curtis to Major Veale for competition in heavy gun shooting amongst the members of the No. 4 Company Territorials. In banding over the trophy Colonel Chaffey thanked the donor for his gift, which he trusted would foster good gun work. He then called for cheers for Mr Curtis., which wero given lustily. Major Veale, after expressing his appreciation for the gift, remarked that a spirit of emulation generally existed amonerst all garrison companies, and he h"d no doubt that the trophy, which would be known as tho '"Curtis Cup," wruld he the means of infusing keen competition amongst the pun teams. Tlw» conditions wove such that the cup could not bo won outright, nnd consequently every man should aim to have his name engraved on it. He then called for cheers from members of his. own company, and his request met with., a hearty response. Mr Curtis briefly thanked Colonel Chaffey arid Major Veale for their kindly references. Before the troops were dismissed Colonel Cooper announced that Major Veale, who had offered his services shortly after the outbreak of war, would go into camp next month.