PRESENTATION TO MAJOR STEWARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1194, 14 February 1880, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MAJOR STEWARD.

# ; At the conclusion of the inspection parade of the headquarters companies of North Otago Volunteers last evening a very pleasing ceremony was performed,, in the shape of a presentation to Major Steward, who has for the last twelve years been intimately connected with the 'Volunteer movement in this district, and whose removal from the town has necessitated his resignation as major commanding the battalion. There was, in addition to a strong muster of Volunteers, a large gathering of the general public, including many ladies, and considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings. The presentation was made by Captain Sumpter, the officer commanding, who in a few well-chosen words bore testimony to the energy, zeal, and great interest always displayed by Major Steward in the Volunteer movement in the district, and to the sincere regret experienced by the officers and men of the battalion that circumstances had necessitated his resignation of the command of the force. He said that hearing that Major Steward was in town, he had thought that no better opportunity could be obtained for making the presentation, and ho had therefore invited that gentleman to bo present. He then handed to Major Steward the following address, which had been elegaantly illuminated by Mr. Wost, and enclosed in a substantial gilt frame, the Rifles Band playing f Auld Lang Syne" as Major Steward received the present : | Wc, the officers and members of No. 3 .Battalion, desire to express our regret that .circumstances should have rendered it necessary for Major Steward to resign his position as Major of No. 3 Battalion, and wish to testify our appreciation of the very valuable services rendered by him to the battalion, and of tho efficient manner in which ho carried out the duties pertaining to his office. i Tho testimonial was signod by all tho 'officers of tho various Companies forming ;No. 3 'Battalion, including tho Oamaru •Artillery, Oamaru Uilles, Hampden Rillos, Otopopo .Ivilles, Citizen Cadets, High School Cadets, ami North School Cadota, and by tho Drill Instructor. Major Steward, in acknowledging tho gift, spoke at considerable length. Ho said that thin was tho second timu that ho ;had boon tho recipient of a similar toatiimonial, tlm previous one having boon "when ho resigned tho command of tho Christohurch Oily Guards over twelve years ii}/o. .Mo I'efovi'od to tho difficulties that had attended tho volunteer movement in tho district in tho early days, and mud ho had always takon n (loop interest in volunteering. Twonty yoava ago ho

he well remembered the many jeers that ■were pointed at the movement then, but time had proved that the sudden formation of Volunteers in England was not, as was asserted, a mere flash in the plan. .The movement had not died out, as was predicted, and he had lived to see it acknowledged that the Volunteer force'of {Great Britain was a powgrfurauxiliaryto" [the regular troops of the nation, that jthey fwere as well disciplined, that . they ;wer:e prepared to undergo fatigue, and that|they would form a strong defence-against any invasion of the old land. He hoped to see the day when the Volunteer force of the Colonies would be similarly acknowledged. He concluded by expressing his for the presentation. 5 ?*Three cheers wdrW'then given for Major Steward, followed by a similar compliment to Mrs.-Steward, and the proceed-, ings were brought to a close by the Rifles' Band playing the National Anthem.