PRESENTATION TO MAJOR PITT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 38, 13 February 1880, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MAJOR PITT.

There was a large assemblage, including^ many ladies, at the Drill Shed las£night,. when a -handsome : silver-mounted sword was/ as the inscription bn the blade, states," Pre- S sented to.Major Pitt bythe members- of theH,Battery, New -Zealand- Regimeut of Artillery," The Company bating been drawn up jn open order with the sword laying on a- table in front. of them, Major Pitt, accompanied' by His Lordship the Bishop ,6f Nelson, and-, the officers of the other Town corps, entered, the Shed. * '"" A^ A~ The^Bisbop, whb is chaplain to; the. Com? pahy, then addressed Major Pitt as follows t^- ; Major Pitt—l have much, pleasure-in apfc^ ing as the mouthpiece^ of the officers and men of , tbe H Battery :of the teer Artillery Company" on this occasion !©#>- askiog you. to accept this sw.ord as a mark of their* esteem \ and Alt is offered you by those whouhafe had aniopportunity Of-, witnessing \your fithess ioi corn> v mand, and who themselves have enjoyed tffo advantffge-of^ being under agood andemciejut captain. If it is true Aof soldiers generally, it is alsbjrue especially^ Volunteers, that they kqow when they well commanded, and that;tbey secure good discipline, not that of the martinet, who jonly exercises power for the soke of showing that he possesses it, . ]XS£ J h M- 9f ..tbe.true, leadey, r ,w,ho, knows.~whento use, and wben to forbear to use, his au-„ thority; The position of a Volunteer officer is confessedly one of great difficulty j without being guided by the whims and fancies of his men, he -yet evidently must quietly-take much of their circumstances into "consideration, unless he wishes^td.'see hi 3 corps melt .away, but, provided tbefspirifc-of-x-fche-corps is not wholly degenerate, both officers and men will invariably render not only a ready but a cheerful compliance with all the views as well as the express, commands of their commanding officer. Testimonials of this kind generally take a more social and domestic form, but this, allow me to observe, is distinctly personal and professional. In presenting you with this sword we see in it, if I rightly, understand the feeliDgs of the Company, an emblem of authority, of loyalty, of honor, and of action, Of. authority, j nas much as we thereby recognize once more your position. It may, fall to your lot some, day, and ifc would gratify many tbat it should be so, tb be re-elected to Parliament by your constituents. You will then experience the feeling of a second reposing of confidence in you. This, however, may he regarded as a re-declaration of confidence on the part of your military constituents, wbo. feel tbat for the sixyears you have been connected with this corps you have so identified yourself with its interests, and helped on. its success,, that they gladly'offer you this proof of their hearty recognition of your authority as their commander. It is also in our eyes an emblemof.loyalty;, It may begiven ,fco you to associate with this 'sworcf a salute of a, personage nearer the Throne than' any who has yet visited New Zealand. ' I refer to the possible', inay'lsay probable |- visit of H.R.ET. the Prince of Wales, who, if. he visits Australia, will-also visit New Zealand; affd; if .so, we shall not be satisfied unless he visits us, in whicli case we hope you will be able to take part in demonstrating the Joyalty.existingin regard to bur Sovereign in this portion jof the Empire. We regard it also as. an, emblem of h0n0r...,, Recently we have had on view in* our midst a work of art showing those once in command of a defeated foe surrendering their, swords to an Englishofficer, the vanquished to the victor. We trust you may never have t° lay down your sword in such a manner, and we know full well that it will never be wielded in a dishonorable cause. Finally, we regard (he sword as an emblem of -action. We do not askyou to accept. this merely to hangMtiup on the walls of your bouse as an heirloom, but trust that you will use it, and continue, to use it, in the. discharge of those duties which have so'deservedly and so thoroughly secured for you the esteem and .regard, of. your men. With these' views, I have much pleasure in requesting your acceptance of this sword. His Lordship, whose remarks were loudly applauded by the ' bystanders, then handed the sword to Major Pitt, at the same " time calling for three cheera "*£pv their commanding officer, which were given with a will, as the BaDd played "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," by the men and the public, followed by another round of cheering for Mrs Pitt. Major Pitt, hayingbuckled pn the sword, proceeded to return thanks, and said :• — My Lord, and officers and men of the H Battery, ;I really feel very great difficulty in suitably replying to the very kind expressions made use of towards me by your Lordship, and in thanking you for your 'very handsome present. Intrinsically ifc is of great value, but what weighs far more with me is the" kindly feeling and good will which have prompted the gift. This is not the first occasion on which the good will and barmony which prevail among us have manifested themselves, and I think it is a matter for congratulation; that these should oxist . for ; it has led to bur working well together, and so increasing' our 'general"" efficiency. We have now the honor to belong to a. regiment of Artillery, and if discipline 'and efficiency go far towards making" good Volunteers, I feel sure that we' shall uphold the character of the regiment, and prove as good a Company as can be found in New Zealand. I have now been a Volunteer almost continuously for 22 years; and~l-bope I- may/remain" one for many years to come, and above, allLtbafc I may continue tp be associated -with .-a .corps < of which I have so much reason tb be proud; I feel that I possess a very great advantage in having such thoroughly efficient subalterns; : by whose energetic efforts to promote the well being of the corps, and by the esprit de corps which prevails among you all, my .duties have been rendered comparatively light. iOnce more I thank you my Lord, and you, officers and men, for your very kind and valuable present, and trust that I may always retain your good will and esteem. Witb three cheer's for. His Lordship the Bishop, the proceedings were brought to a close.