WELCOME HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 158, 25 July 1901, Page 2

WELCOME HOME.

A very enthusias'ic gathmingof m«mfceu of the Taranaki Rifle#, Guardi, and Garrison Band took place at Weale's Dining Reams on Wednesday evening, when a dinner was tendehd to th» local men who had returned from ?outh Africa. The guests included S-rge nt Paul, and Troopers Lisbr, Richa d-00, Allen, and Well*, the w, 1 come being intended more particularly for Troopers Lister, Richardson, and Allen, of the Taranaki Rifle?, by whom the dinner was organised. Lieutenant-Colonel Ell s occupied the chair, and the other officers present were Major Okey, Adjutant Taunton, and Lieutimene Cock (Rifles), Ccok and Holmes (Guards). Thore were al so present Chaplain Evans, and His Worship the Major (Mr E. D< krill) The rooms were tastefully d corated with and giv»no./. and a bounti ful repast, to which full jastire was done, wr provided by Host Weal*. After tbe usual loyal toast of " The King" bad been honoured, the Mayor prop jg«d the 1 jastof " Oar Guestp," referring in tjrms of praise to the readi ness with which men had voluutjered for the front, and to th# wo. ,Ly man ner in which those selected had conducted themselves throughout the campaign. This was responded to by all the returned men, and Sergeant Paul al-o detailed a few of bis experietces during tbe ramp?'gn. Other to»6ts honoured were as follows:—" The Mayor," proposed by the Chairman; " The Army, Navy and Volunteers," proposed' by tbe Mayor, and responded to by Colonel Ellis; '< The Local Corps and Garri*o» Band," proposed by the Mayor, ard responded to by Maj.ir Okey (Rifl es ) Adjutant Taunton (Guard*), an d Band' ma&ter Haigh ; " The Ladies," proposed by Lieutenant Cook, and responded to by Sergeant Paul and Private Rennel ; and " The Press," propped by Lieut! Holmes, and responded to by Messrs Pardy (Herald), Murray (Auckland Weekly News), and Private (Daily News); "Our Host and Hostess," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mrs and Mr Wcale; and "Our Depsr'ed Comrad«s," pioposed by Chaplain Evans, tbe toast baing drunk in silence. '

During the evening proceedings were enlivened with songs and recitations, those contributing being Mai jr Okey, Sergeant Arnaitage, Corporal Smith, Private Clarke, Bandemen Bray and Flatt, and Messrs Lse and G. McCormih, while Bandmaster Haigli also gave a violin solo. ! The gathering broke up at 11 o'clock, after a most enjoyable evening, v. th the singing of "God save the Kins"' and " Auld Ltug Syne." 1