PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN COUTTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 46, 8 March 1901, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN COUTTS.

At the Council Chamber on Thursday : evening, thoro was a Rood master of . friends and admirers of Captain Coutts, who was presect by invitation to ro- , ceive a practical evidenca of their esteem and regard. His Worship the Mayor (Mr, E, Dsckrill), who presided, said they had met t® congratulate Captain CouttH on his appointment to the command of the Seventh Contingent. It would, lie sud, be recollected by all prewnt thai IMr Coutts joined the Fis-ft Couth'.- j g'-nt as a trooper and became the rei ip : ent of one of the four scirves woven by the late Quean. Thorn was no doubt he felt proud of having woo that hot our, and it must be very gratifying to Taranaki that Corporal Coutfs was the only New Zsalander who had brought the much covotad award to the colony, It was only on account of the delicate state of his wife's health that Corporal Coutts had returned borne, but whan it was decided to send out a relieving contingent he had asked 10 be allowed to return and they were ill glad that his application had been accodtd to, but more rejoiced that the Government had recognised his merits and awarded him a captaincy. (His Worship here read the official notification of the appointment.) There were, said the May fir, features in the appointment that could siot be passad over. The very distinction gained should of itself have been a sufficient passport to promotion, but he considered the Government had covered itself with honour and glory in conferring a commission on one who in hie civl life had always opposed them. He (the Mayor) had always supported the Government, and Mich impartiality in appointing the most fitting man to the pest, of captain would indue? him the more heartily to support m future that Government which coull put aside all party spirit and set in the best interest of the forces. (Applause) Gallantly as Capt. Coutts had behaved in the pist in the ranks, was no doubt that aa a loader of his men in the futuro he would spare no effort to earn for them marked distinction. It afforded him ' much pleasure to be tne medium of Captain Cimtta many admirers and to hand Him 011 their behalf a pur.-e of sovereigns, and at the same time wish him " God speed." (Loud applause) Mr Kerr addressed a few words touchingjon Captain Coutts' well known coolness and fearlessness in crossing the rivers norshwards of New Plymouth, and po ; nting out that those same qualities hud been brought into prominence on > ctive service in the field. Mr Sain Hill referred to the wonderful idea of locality pos-esi-od by Captain Coutts, and added a very flattering testimony to the value of hii services. It was considered nothing but right to give a good send-off to one who had proved his sterling worth.; o.ad time sufficed the list of subscribers '■ would have been far lous.er than it was, and he could my that everyone who I had joined in the presentation thiitl ovouiiig was actiutod by truly patriotic | itio'mn. ; '

Gaptvn Coatt-s siid h<> could not find woods to fittingly express the sentiments of gratification with which he accepted tha kind memento of their *ppreawtion of his services. He did nut think he had so many goad friends in New Plymouth. He was proud of the honours he had received both on the field and at home, and it was vay gratifying to frel thut he had earned the Appreciation of thote who hud ; uiado him a presentation that evening, I At the call of the Mayor, thieo lusty cheers wore given for the gallant captain, and the procaedings were , brought to a close with tho usual compliment, t<> the Chairman. j Subsi qnen'ly, at the invitation ofj Mr. K'llly, of the Taranaki Hotel,! Captain o'iutts' health was drunk with, great enthusiasm. I