PICNIC TO THE WAIMEA RIFLES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 280, 24 November 1881, Page 2

PICNIC TO THE WAIMEA RIFLES.

The Volunteer picnic at Brightwater yesterday was a great success Between 600 and 700 people were collected on the ground about midday, when the Welcome Committee was in waiting to receive the Volunteers, who were played oa to the ground by the drum and fife band. When the halt tat made the Venerable Archdeacon Mnlea read the following address' of welcome ': —

To Captain Franklyn, tbe Officer*, tbe BFoaeommiiiioaed Officers, and the lien of the Waimea Rifle Volunteers.

We, your relatives, friends, and neighko»i, most gladly meet you here to-day to welcome you home. Thankf al indeed we are that wa see you restored to us in health and safety, for though but a short time has really passed since you went away from us, many were measuring your absence not by moments, but by their suspense ; not by the lapse of time, but by the earnestness of their wishes for your return. We knew not when you left us but that before we again sawany of you the evils of war would have saddened ns, its ravages carried distress into homes, and its horrors drawn tears from the widow and the fatherless. Yet terrible as war is -and we know well what it has been in the past in New Zealand with the Native race— there are occasions when it becomes necessary ; when our country claims and deserves the services of those who go, as well as the prayers of those who stay behind. You went forth determined to obey the call of duty and authority; you were required to taurines important interests, to leave jour homea and your families, to risk, as you supposed, your lives. The tiss which bound you to remain behind were many and strong, and you felt their strength, but you broke them willingly that you might render dutiful submission to authority, aad might save the lives and the homes of your fellow countrymen. We honor yon for the ready obedience you have shown, and thank you for the example you have set. We acknowledge with gratitude the good providence of God, through whose mercy war has been averted, and o»r fears have been removed ; and we thank all those whose willingness to sacrifice themselves has been in His hand the chief instrument by whioh peace has been preserved to the whole country. We, therefore, ask you to-day to partake of that which the hospitality of your frienis has provided for you.

Cheers were then given for the Waimea Rifles, and Captain Franklyn replied in the following terms :—

Reverend Sir, and dear friends,— Permit me on behalf ef the members of the Waimea Rifla Volunteers most sincerely to thaak you for this very kind welcome, and for the flattering address just, presftVed to as. I am quite sura that no one b< 1 mging to the Waimea Riflea ever anticipated that their humble services would meet with suoh a rich reward aa they are receiving to-day. Believe me that I speak the feelings of everyone in the Company when I assure you that the remembrance of all this unexpected

kindness and splendid hospitality can never be effaced from their hearts. You have, Severend Sir, in most feeing terms alluded io those near and dear to ns, from whom we ;were, at the call of daly, obliged to separate. Many of us here to-day cannot recall without a shudder the recollections of our partings on the evening of the 28th of October. For myself it was the greatest trouble that I had for years past, but Providence has in the end turned onr troubles in to rejoicings, and we stand here to-day in health and strength, none the worse for our hardships and privations, feeling an inward satisfaction tbat our fellow-citizens by this present demonstration approve of our conduct and behaviour daring our late campaign. It is said that the good people of Nelson never do j things by halves. I believe the saying musfj be true, for the reception of the Volunteers in Town on Saturday and our reception here I to-day are most certainly without parallel throughout the Colony. To all and everyone the members of the Waimea Rifles again return their sincere thanks.

W. N. Fsakkltx, Junior, Captain

Cheers were then given for Archdeacon Mules and tbe Committee, and the Nelson Volunteer Force.

All present seemed to enjoy themselves exceedingly. The sports would have been kept up till a late hour bad not the rain est in about 4 o'clock, which drove people to their homes much earlier than otherwise would bave been the ease. Mr Brown tha photographer took several views of the Camp during the day. The Wakefiild band was on the ground, and added to the enjoyment of the day by playing at intertals.