ARTILLERY DINNER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 199, 20 September 1878, Page 2

ARTILLERY DINNER.

The annual dinner of the Ar til ler y compan v was held at the Nelson Hotel last evening when there was but a limited attendance of pietnbers. The room was profusely decorated

V.itii evergreens for the occasion, while the dinner was serted ttp In Host M'Gee's usual excellent style. The chair was occupied by Major Pittj supported on either side by the Bishop of Nelson, aud J. Shepbatd, Esq.} Lieut. West filled the vice-chair. Letters o2 apology were read from Captain Marshall and Mr Canning. After the usual loyal toasts had been duly honored, The Chiiirman gate that of " The Arm j, .Navy, and Volunteers/ After referring to the Army and Navy, the speaker said that (he defence of the colonies was almost entirely entrusted to the Volunteers, as was evidenced by the small number of men-of-war on the station. Corporal Glover responded for the Army, Lieut. Simpson of the Naval Brigade for the Navy, and the Bishop for the Volunteers. In doing so his Lordship said that he was always an ardent supporter of the Voluuteer movement. Although the Volunteers in this colony had greater liberties than they had at Home, that did not at all interfere with the ' discipline. A man joined a company for „ certain time, and it was bis duty while on parade to obey and respect the officer in charge. Volunteering was an institution which every wise aud paternal Government ought to foster. The Chairman proposed the health of His Excellency the Governor. The Volunteers in this district had been fortunate enough to be inspected by him, which only one other ! district in the colony could boast of. The Chairman then gave the toastof "The Members of the General Assembly." The tiiiie had now arrived when members of the House could venture to entrust the defence of the colony to the Volunteers. A number of the members were ex- Volunteers, aud it was mainly due to them that the Volunteer movement had been so liberally supported { hitherto. Mr Shephard responded. While in the House he had always supported Volunteering- , Lieut, West proposed the health of the ! Officer Commanding the District. There was no necessity for him (the speaker) to j say anything in commendation of the toast. Major Pilt returned thanks. He was proud of being at the head of the Volunteer force in Nelson. Before he sat down he would propose the health of the Bishop of Nelson, Chaplain of the Artillery Company. His Lordship, in returning thanks, said he would use his best endeavors to induce the young men of Nelson to join the Volunteer force, as he thought it was au institution to which every young man should belong. He < was not altogether new to Volunteering, as he had been chaplain of a company at Home. The Chairman, in eulogistic terms, proposed the health of Captain Marshall. That gentleman was present at the last inspection parade, and expressed himself as highly pleased with the efficiency of the Volunteers. The following toasts were then given-. — " Mr Sedgwick," proposed by Sergt. Bird, and responded to by the Bishop; "Lieut. Paynter, the champion shot of New Zealand," proposed by His Lordship; "Mr Stan on, theatrical manager of the Company," proposed by the Chairman, aud responded to by MrStantou; lt Mr Canning," proposed by Mr Shephard; " Sergeant-Major Alborough," proposed by Sergeant Major Wimsett; " The Press," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mr Simpson; " Our Lieuts.," proposed by Sergt. Bird, and responded to byLieut. West; "The Ladies," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Gunner F. Hodgson; "Our Non-commissioned officers," proposed by Gunner Wimsett, responded to by Sergeant-Major Wimsett; "The Town and Trade of Nelson," proposed by Gunner Topliss, and responded to by Mr Shephard; "Our AVorthy Captain," proposed by Corpl. Jackson; l£ The Football Team," proposed by Lieutenaut West; "The Other Compauies," proposed by Corporal Glover, and responded to by Lieutenant Simpson. Duriug the evening several capital songs were sung by members of the Company. Wo must not omit to mention a recitation entitled Daniel versus Dishclout, given in excellent style by Gunner Topliss. The company broke up shortly after midnight, after having spent a most pleasant evening.