The First Contingent.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 22, 25 October 1901, Page 3

The First Contingent.

A SOCIAL RE-UNION. The first annual re-union of the First Contingent was celebrated at Wellington on Monday last, when seventy officers and men from all parts of the colony foregathered and, seemingly, spent a right royal evening. The Post, re - porting the function, says : The company was one of the jolliest that ever "tucked its legs under the table" in the city, and perhaps the gathering was one of the most unique. Odd incidents of the campaign were recalled as these comrades met, and there was much interchange of camp nicknames amd badinage. "Rastus" Foster was asked once again '"Who shot the mule?" Sergeant-Major Rocksrow- was urged to divulge how much water he put in the rum, "really;', "Uncle" Jewell was requested to. give a correct tally of Sergeant "What'shis- Name's" poultry looting : and "Thorny" Wilson once more "pushed the cutter," which, to the huge delight of all, was made to do service as a "loving cup." The applause was uproarous when the Premier and the other guests drank to the company out of the monster "billy." Lieutenant Canavan, son of Mr E. O'Hara Canavan, who is known in this district, proposed the toast of the Army and Navy, and paid a tribute to the " handy man's" part in the Transvaal campaign. On the call of the Premier, the company stood in silence to the memory of those men who would "-never return."