"THE HAPPY RETURN."

Patea Mail, 16 December 1881, Page 3

"THE HAPPY RETURN."

Members of the Alexandra Cavalry were entertained in Wanganui, on Wednesday, on the occasion of their being in town to receive their pay for services at the front. Host Littlewood provided an excellent supper at short notice, and about forty members of the Troop were present, Captain Sommervillc in the chair, with Dr Tripe, the Troop Surgeon, in the vice-chair. Lieut. Harrison was unable to be present having met with a serious accident some days back which kept him confined to the house.

Captain Sommervillc, in proposing “ The happy return of the Troop,” referred in felicitous terms to the duties they had performed, and to the valuable experience gained. The toast was duly honored.

The toast to Major Noake, officer commanding the district, was well received. Capt. Soramerville, in proposing it, said the Troop had a right to be grateful to the Major for his unremitting attention to their welfare. Not much had been said of the Major’s labors on this coast, but he (Captain S.) knew that the Major had been most actively and usefully employed in perfecting the organization of the Volunteers.

The toast of Captain Sommerville, proposed by Dr Tripe, was the signal for enthusiastic applause. The merits of the Captain in the dull times of peace, and also on the “ tented field ” wore described in happy terms by the proposer, and heartily endorsed by those present. Captain Sommerville, in responding, thanked the men for their good-will, and said that he felt a pride in commanding what he fain would believe was the premier cavalry corps in the colony. The toast of the Armed Constabulary force at Manaia (coupled with the name of Sergt. Riddel!); the Taranaki Mounted Rifles, and the Settlers on the Coast (coupled with the name of Capt. Martyn of Manaia) followed. The last named toast was proposed by Sergeant Bry ce, who said that the greatest hospitality had been shewn to the troop at every township they bad marched through. The surgeon and others were also duly honored and healths drunk.

In order to provide a suitable drill shed, the Wanganui Volunteer Corps have agreed to bring £IOO each into account, so as to form an equivalent of the Government monetary grant of £3OO.