VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 89, 19 April 1902, Page 2

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

ANNUAL DINNER AT THE DRILL HALL. PRESENTATION TO LIEUTENANT OKBY. The second annual dinner of the local corps of '.he Taranaki Battalion, with the Garrison Band, was held at the Drill Hall on Friday evening. There was i large attendance of members of the Taranaki Rifles, Guards, Garrison Band, and New Plymouth Rifle Olub. l The chair was occupied by Li u-| tenant-Colonel Ellis, who was sup-1 ported on the right by the member for the district, Mr E. M. Smith, with Lieutenant F. W. Okey, the"guest of the evening; and on the lefo by the Mayor, Mr E. Dofkrill. Besides the j loc il garrison officers there were presant ] Captain McLem (Patea), and Leech (Inglew ood), Lieutenants Thomson (Inglewood) and Page (EltViam), with Captain Dempsey and Lieutenant Gray, of the c»dets. Surgeon-Captain Home and Chaplain Evans were also present. Apologies for absence were read from several officers of the battalion.' Aftsr a full measure of attention had been devoted t.o the excellent collation provided by the caterer, Mr A. Lealand. the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toast of " The King," which was drunk with musical honours .

The Mayor then proposed the toast " The Army, the Colonial Forces, and the Navy," making a very patriotic speech in doing so. He coupled the toast with the names of Oolonel Ellis, Ciptain McL»an and Bandmaster Haigh. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Song, Sergeant Smith, "Sailing" (encored). Colonel E lis, Captain McLean and Bandmaster Haigh then replied to the toast.

. Song, Corporal Mills, " The Slaep-1 ing Camp " (encored). ) Colonel Ellis then proposed the health of tbe guest of the evening, Lieutenant Okay, He said it wag a matter for congratulation to the battalion as well ai to his own company that the lieutenant should have been selected as one of the colony's representatives at the nest Bisley rifla meeting. He (the speaker) had hoped to be able to hand the lieutenant his acting commission on this occasion, and had telegraphed to Wellington to see if this could be managed. That evening he had received the following wire, " Have received application but not po?sib'e for Friday. Will try to get it bsfore he leaves the colony." Though he could not hand Lieutenant Okey his commission, however, he had pleißure in prfsenting him with a travelling rug and trunk on behalf of the Rifles.

The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Senp, Mr J. Jones, " Qusen of the Eirth."

Lieutenant Okey briefly and feelingly replied. He had been for 22 years a volunteer, and during his coming trip would oftfln rf-member bis eld comrades. He had never expected to be included in a representative team, but was now very pleased to find himssdf included, and would do bis best for the credit of the battalion.

Song, comic, Lieutenant Thomson. Captain - Adjutant Taunton then proposed tbe toast of ilie " Rifle Club," coupled with the name of Mr F, Stohr. The captain made some pertinent remarks on the subject of shooting, to which greater care should be devoted in the Army. The men of the rifle clubs ware able to shoot, as some of the local volunteers could testify, and they should be looked upon as our " third line of defence." The Government had certainly done something in the way of encouraging rifl > uhooting. Seng, comic, Sergeant Mills. Mr Stohr, in replying, said he hoped the member for the district would take a note of some of the digabilities under which tbe club members laboured, in the cost of rifles and ammunition, which was excessive.

Colonel Ellis then presented the prizes won by members of the Rifles during the past year. The successful competitors were: First Class.—First prizs, Lieutenant Okey, N.Z. Clothing Factory's clock; second, Corporal Avi&itage, money prise. Second (money prize.)— First, Private Sogers j spcond, Private Morgan. Third class, —First, Private Rowan, field glasses presented by Major Okey, Saturday shots.—Piivate Preston, biscuit barrel presented by Mr P. White; and Private Martin, framed picture presented by Sergeant Smith. Tbe recipients were given three hearty cheers and accorded musical honours.

Captain Leech proposed the toast, " The Legislature," coupled with the name of Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R.

Song, comic, Mr Murton,

Mr Smith replied to the toast, in a speech of some length, dealing mainly with tbe Assistance rendered to the volunteer force by the Government. Song, comic, Btndsman Read, Major Okey proposed "The Visitors,'' which was drunk with en'husiasm.

Song, "Tommy Atkins," Ssrgeant Smith,

Captains McLean and Leech and Lieutenant Thomson replied on behalf of the visitors.

The toast of " The Indies" was proposed by lie v. Evans, in a very characteristic speech, and was druak with I great enthusiasm. Captain Wpston replied. The toast of " The Press " was proposed by Captain Cook, and responded to by Messrs AUsworth (Daily News) and Penn {Herald). Ths gathering broke up shortly after 11,30 o'clock, with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne." The attendance was about 100, and the proceedings throughout were marked by great enthusiasm.

For the success of the evening'*) programme the committee are ta be heartily complimented, and especially is a a ward of praise due to Lieutenant Holmes, who acted us s cretary. The decoration committee, of whoni Bugler Hopkins wa-i in charge, bad worked very heartily and had got the tables prettily arranged with flowers, etc,, for which they desire to thank Mrs Mitchinsonl to whose generosity they were indebted.

Bindsman Eeade presided at the piano, and a'so contribute ! a song.

| A NEW SERVICE! MEDAL. | PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. I Wellington, April 18. | The G*zetfc6 notifies the institution of a sevice medal for officers of the volunteer force a»d volunteers who have earned capitation, and served efficiently in the New Z*aland Volunteer Farce far twelve consecutive ye'ivs. Thi-i medal will not he issued to volunteers pos-e-s ; ng New Z»u!aud or Imperial long s«'ivice medals.

We understand from statements

made at Hawern on Thursday that t.ho ( time for firing for the district medal by volunteers who have qualified for their marksman's badge has been extended. The men interested will do doubt be glad to learn this. The local volunteer corps and Garrison Band are notified of a battalion parade to be held on Monday evening ! next.