Welcome to trooper Perreau.

Manawatu Herald, 17 November 1900, Page 2

Welcome to trooper Perreau.

On Tuesday evening over 50 of the business people and others met at a dinner at the Victoria Hall on the invitation of Mr Thynno to welcome back Trooper Perreau from South Africa. The Hall was appropriately decorated with a portrait of the Queen, and with ensigns and rifles and laurel wreaths. The catering was carried out by Mr Hunter, and the tables looked exceedingly well and the menu was a tasty one though cold. The chairman had Trooper Perreau on his right and the Rev. H. Leach on his left, and the. cross-table had the Rev. W. Woollass and Mr J. T. Ray. W. Master Harold Collins presided at the piano, and with Masters Walter Cook, B. Shadbolt and W. Hickson sang between the toasts the followiug songs in a very careful manner : — " The Chinee Sojer Man " ; Private Tommy Atkins ; " " Victoria " ; " Listen to the Band," and " Soldiers V of the Queen." Grace was also sung. After the toast of the Queen Mr W. Cook sang " Rule Britannia," and the company joining in, a very hearty rendering was given. The Chairman proposed the toast of the Queen and that of Trooper Perreau, who was unable from strong feeling to reply more than shortly. The Bey. H. Leach very feelingly spoke to the toast " To the memory of the brave dead," which w^as drunk in silence. Mi- Ray made a capital speech in proposing " The Army and Navy " aud coupled the names of Lieutenant Robert Fraser, R.N.R., and acting-captain Hunter, who both replied. Mr Osborne gave the toast " The Mayor and Borough Councillors," to which the Mayor briefly replied. ♦' The Flax Industry" was well proposed by Mr Stiles and admirably responded by Mr Hennessy, whose speech came as a great surprise. The Rev. W. Woollass proposed " The Agricultural Interests" and Mr Caverhill responded. 11 Our Host" was generously proposed by Mr Alf . Fraser, and duly acknowledged, and the evening was brought to a close at 11.80 by singing " God Save the Queen." No report of the meeting was taken, but it was a great success and it must have been pleasant to Trooper Perreau to know that he was not forgotten by the Premier, who requested Mr Thynne to have the following letter read. It is needless to say it was received with acclamation: — Premier's Office, Wellington, 12th Nov., 1900. Mr Chairman, — It is with very great pleasure I learn that the good folks of Foxton are entertaining Trooper Robert Perreau, of the Third Contingent, at dinner, and thus in that good old British style, giving him a cordial welcome home. He, with our other sons, have done their doty faithfully and well, and by their bravery, indomitable pluck, adaptability, resource and endurance, have earned our gratitude and resptect. They have proved worthy representatives of our race, and the mothers and fathers of New Zealand have every reason to be proud of their sons who have upheld the good old flag, and have nobly represented our Colony, and in a manner worthy of the best traditions of our Nation, thus adding laurels to our glorious Empire. The Commander-in- . Chief, Field Marshal Lord Roberts, has sent the following telegram : — " One officer and 82 men of the New Zealand Contingent are returning home in the " Harlech Castle," leaving Capetown to-day. There are no troops who have served under me in South Africa to whom I am more indebted than to those gallant men whom New Zealand sent to assist the Mother Country. No praise can be too high for them. — Roberts." No words of mine, in the face of this tribute and testimony, would be required to stimu- J late the people of New Zealand to ac-~i^P cord, as you are doing this evening, a"" hearty and cordial welcome to o%s of the soldiers of our Colony and our Gracious Queen. Though not with

you in person, I am with you in spirit, and rejoice at the sate return oi the guest of the evening. But whilst thus rejoicing, I feel sure you will, with me, accord to those whose sons have fallen in South Africa, either by. disease or in battle, sincere sympathy and condolence. Their grief will be somewhat softened by its being ever remembered that those dear to them have died a glorious death in the service of our dear country and Empire. The trooper whom you are entertaining will, I am sure, be pleased that reference should be made to the memory of those brave comrades with whom he fought on the veldt in South Africa, and whose loss he and all so deeply mourn. R. J. Seddon, Defence Minister.