SATURDAY'S VOLUNTEER DINNER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 823, 3 December 1878, Page 2

SATURDAY'S VOLUNTEER DINNER.

* The following is an epitome of the pro- ] ceedings at the dinner at the conclusion of the competition between the Dunedin and Oamaru teams on Saturday afternoon last, a short notice of which has already appeared in our columns:— The usual loyal toasts having been disposed of, Captain Sumpter proposed "The Parliament of New Zealand." He said that in doing so he would not speak of the Parliament of New Zealand in a purely political sense, but allude to their conduct towards volunteers, which would be more to the point. He thought that Parliament had done much of late to foster the interests of volunteering, and evidently were inclined to help where they felt that there was no sham. He thought they were wise in paying sucli attention to the movement, and noted as an instance that the volunteers at Home nearly doubled in number the standing army. It was therefore evident that in a place like New Zealand it was financially as well as prudentially wise for the Government to do all in its power to encourage those who are willing to prepare themselves in case of emergency to render aid in the defence of the Colony. He also thought our thanks are due to our representatives, and wished to couple with the toast the name of Mr. Shrimski in the absence of Mr. Hislop. Mr. Shrimski had once before been present at a similar meeting to the one then being held, and had 011 that occasion offered a prize for competition. Mr. Shrimski thanked the company for the manner in which they hail received the toast. With regard to volunteering, the Government were something like a man of business; they expected seme return for their expenditure. He had until recently taken exception to the expenditure for volunteering ; but he now saw that volunteers were doing their best to prepare for the defence of the country, and lie therefore sympathised with the movement. Before sitting down he would propose a toast that had just been put into his hand, namely, that of " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," coupled with the name of Major Steward. Major Steward remarked that he would say little, as time was pressing. It was the most important toast of the day ; but he looked upon it as being somewhat " our noble selves." Although Mr. Shrimski was converted somewhat late in life, he congratulated the volunteers in possessing a member of the House who was such a warm supporter of the volunteer movement on their side. He thought that volunteers had not improved, but that members of Parliament had lately been brought into closer contact with volunteers, and had an opportunity of seeing what volunteers were doing. All would admit that volunteering such as that they had lately witnessed in Dunedin did a great Jeitl uf good. He was sure that_ if occasion should arise, the country had now the material within itself for its defence. Dunedin had had a field-day, Christchurcli would expect the next, but he hoped that Oamaru would have her turn. Little need be said about the army and navy of Great Britain. Everybody knows what they are. He spoke of the advantages of the match they had just engaged in, which was only one of a series of matches, which would be productive of great good to the volunteer movement. He congratulated the North Otago Riile Association on having secured as their president one who had always taken a great amount of interest in volunteering matters. The Chairman (Dr. De Lautour) then proposed the toast of "The Visiting Team." It was one of the most important toasts of the day, and he only wished he had had more time, that he might dilate upon the subject. Major Steward had referred to the excellence of the material in case of hostilities arising. When on the range that day he saw men make ten suooessive bull'seyes, and he thought that if any enemy should land they would not occupy many acres, it would be only feet they'would get. He would couple with the toast the name of Captain Wilson. Captain Wilson, of tlie Dunedin City Guards, thanked the Company for the honor they had done him in coupling his name with the toast just drunk. When he first got the challenge he thought that Oamaru was going just a little too far. Even last night he did not like it; but after seeing the Oamaru team's firing at 200 yards he liked it less. He believed in teams visiting eaoli other. It is impossible to fire a match satisfactorily in two different places. It is a waste of ammunition, and no interest is taken in it. He would go home with a great appreciation of the Oamaru Volunteer Companies, who have treated them so hospitably. He would like to see the Oamaru rifles visit Dunedin, but he would also like to see about four of them kept back. Mr. Atkinson proposed the toast of " The Highest Scorers in each team." School boys took great delight in being at the top in cricket and football, and when they became men they were just as proud of their achievements as volunteers, He congratulated Volunteers Harding and Kennedy on their achievements. Volunteer Harding thanked the company for drinking his health, and said that it was quite by accident that he had made so high a score. Volunteer Kennedy also responded. Captain Wilson proposed the "North Otago Rifle Association," coupled with the name of Captain M'Corkindale. The Oamaru Volunteers should not think that no attention was paid to their actions. The announcements of their scores were always read with great interest. Captain M'Corkindale said that he was sure every member of thg 1 North Otago Rifle Association was pleased to see the team from Dunedin, and he hoped that the Oamaru Volunteers would be able to return their visit i some day. He thanked them for coupling his name with the toast. Captain Sumpter proposed "The Press," coupled with the names of Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones, both of whom replied. The toast of the " President of the North Otago Rifle Association " having been' proposed, Dr. DeLautour responded. He said that he had always made Volunteering his hobby, and had taken more than ordinary interest in it. It is an admirable movement, not only because it has for its object the training of men to protect their eountry, but because it is a benefit socially. It brings all grades af society into contact, and in this respect it possesses the advantages of cricket and football, in the enjoyment of which men usually forgot all about grades.