NAVAL BRIGADE DINNER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 154, 27 June 1878, Page 2

NAVAL BRIGADE DINNER.

The annual dinner of the above Company was held at the Nelson Hotel 'last evening, forty being present. Captain Gully occupied the chair, supported on the right by the Rev P. Calder, chaplain of the Brigade, and on , the left by Major Pitt; the vice-chair was

tilled by lieutenant fcimpabh, Supported 8& the right and left by Lieuts. Adams and Gilpin respectively. A capital spread had been provided by Host M'Gee, to which, it is needless to say, ample justice was done. After the usual loyal, and patriotic toasts had beenproposed and duly .honored, The Vice-Chairman : gave that oi "The Governor '/ " Otobd wine needed tip iM:" and therefore the toast requited titi commendation on the part of the speaker. On his Excellency's first visit to Nelson the Naval Brigade had the honor of landing him, and if ever he paid another official visit here he (the Vice-Chairman) hoped the Brigade would have the same privilege accorded them.. Major Pitt then proposed the health of " The members of the House.of Representatives and Legislative Council." Tie next session, he thought, would prore a bright one for the Volunteers, as the recent state of affairs had bestirred the colonies as to how they were going to defend themselves in case of war. This duty would devolve upon upon ihe. Volunteers,, There was one gentleiflan in the, tipper Hotke— C6lonei . Brett— who was always carping about thfe Volflnfier force, but he (the Major) would like to see the gallant Colonel come over to Nelson and inspect the Volunteers. The Rev P. Calder proposed the health of "Major Pitt." As one of Captain Gully's Blue Jackets he (the speaker) believed like the rest oi them that on the present occasion one good song wiis wfcifin fi Bushel of speeches. However he would like to give his Opinion of the Nelson Volunteers. The recent wellearned promotion of Major Pitt had shown that the robe and the sword could be associated together. The late agitation in Europe was absorbing much attention in the colonies the defence of which depended upon the patriotism of the young men. That such patriotism existed to a large extent he had not. ttie slightest doubt,- and therefore he had no hesitation in s'ayitig that the defence of the country could well be placed in their hands. After the toast had been drunk with musical honors Major Pitt rose to reply. In returning thitnks he Said that the Volunteer force of Nelson in proport'on to the siife of the place was second to none in the colony, and he was proud of being at their head. He had found them in a very efficient state on their being handed over to him, and he hoped they would maintain that efficiency. They were ever ready to turn out, and this at a very short notice.) Major Pitt then proposed the toast of the evening, that of "The Naval Brigade." That company had recently earned a name for l themselves which would not soon be forgotten. The incident to which he referred was that of bringing the shipwrecked passengers of the Queen Bee safely to port. This act was not only known all over this colony, but also in the neighboring colonies, and at home, as no doubt the passengers would bring the matter under the notice .of their friends there. The Naval Brigade could always be depended upon for a good muster. He felt sure that their officers were proud of them. The Chairman replied in suitable terras The Vice-Chairman proposed the health oi "Our Worthy Chaplain." Since the rev. gentleman had been associated with the Brigade he had endeavored to further its interests as much as possible. Possessed, of high intellectual abilities he was a desirable acquisition to the Brigade, and his counsel was readily given when sought for. The Rev Mr Calder, in replying, said that he had already expressed his views upon the Volunteer movement. He could now only say that he was exceedingly proud of beiDg a member of the Naval Brigade: The following toasts were then proposed and .responded to :— " The Commissioned Officers," proposed by P. 0. Fathers; " The Non-Comiuissioned Officers," proposed by Seaman Lloyd ; "The Artillery- Company," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Major Pitt; "The City Rifles," coupled with the name of Lieut. Adams, proposed by the Vice-Chairman, and replied to by Lieut. Adams; "The Other Companies," proposed by P. 0. J. Dayman, and responded to by Trooper Jones of the Norraanby Hussars; " Our Worthy Captain," proposed by Boatswain Cullen; "The Press," proposed by Trpqner Jones, and replied, to by the ViceChairman ; " The Ladies," proposed by Lieut Adams, and responded to by Seanian Young; " The Host and Hostess," proposed in an amusing speech by Seaman Rankin, and replied to by Host M'Gee. During, the evening several capital songs, were sung, and one or two sailor's hornpipes danced, the company breaking up on the first appearance of the " wee hours," after having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.