FAREWELL DINNER TO CAPTAIN TAUNTON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 234, 30 October 1903, Page 2

FAREWELL DINNER TO CAPTAIN TAUNTON.

At tha invit.ition of the Oomiuicee of the Guards Olub a large number of member and friends assembled at Jubilee Villa on Thursday evening to entertain and farewell Captain Taunton, who is leaving on a visit; to England. Lieiit.-Colonel Ellis prosided, Mr Bonnett being ia the vice-chair, and amongst those present ware Cap t'tiri Weston, Lu-utenant Okoy, ami Captain Quartermaster Cock. An excellent repast was provided, and after ample justice had been done thereto the toast of tho King was loyally honoured. In proposing the toast of the of the evrming Colonel Ellis warmly pi'ais'd the aervicifl rende.eJ to volunteering by Oaptaiu Taunton, whose (soldierlike qualities and zeal had done I *o much to further the efficiency of tha Taranaki Battalion. Ha had rendered sucli great assistance that his loss would ba severely felt, especially by the Commanding Officer. Captain Taunton, in responding, said he came here fresh with tho i<iea of nuking a cycling track, having made one in Manaia. Every effort was made to get the track in the Kecreation Grounds. An art union was run and

■ealised £294, but as secretary he wan ummoned and fined for running the inion, From that time, howfver, he tad had a certain amount-, tf misortune. As a volunteer he was an nthusiast. At the time of the c'eru-Ohili scrap he offered his isrvices first to one side and .hen the other, but could not get taken >n, Subsequently he off red his services to Victoria, the United Statps, Argentine, Ganada, and Turkey with>ut success, and finally to New Zealand. The bitterest blow of his life was b?ing refused service with any of the South African contingents, although he kaew lis Colonel had done his best for h>m, There were, however, two " beings " in the town who had blocked him on personal grounds, and he expressed himself strongly on their action. Twelve times he had offared bis services, and perhaps on the thirteenth ha would j succeed. In conclusion ho hea.tily shanked those present for assembling to do him honour, and for no heartily irinking the toast of his health. (Loud ipplause), Later in the evening Mr Harry Qoldwater, on behalf of the Guards' Olub, presented Captain Taunton with a. handsomely framed photograph of a "roup of members of the Olub, and bearing a shield suitably inscribed. He warmly eulogised Oaptain Taunton's invariable help to the club, especially ic the start, and expressed a hop? that be would return to the colony, and that

u, raigno yec oe reservea ror mm to ne- i citue Qommander of the Forces in Now 11 Zeiland In conclusion, on behalf of ; the members, ha wished Onpain Tauu- | ton every succaas in the future, and,, hi in a warm wolcomo on his I ■ return to rlew Plymouth. j! Cuprum Taunton, who was greatly j iiii'dcted by the presentation, anid huj, could hardly express his thinks, He'; i felt the sadness of the parting, but the;' memory of the staunchness of hisj 1 friends who had stood by him in many I ] troubles would ever be a source oi'n gratification. He hoped they would! meet again, and that meanwhile the; 1 ] Ulub would increase its sphere of use- j a fulness. In conclusion, he heartily o thanked the Press for the invariable ° kindness ha had received at their hands. " A number of to»sts followed, in- '' eluding that of the Taranaki Battalion, £ which was responded to by Oolotioi Ellis, Oap>ain WfS f on, and Quarter- g Cock ]?' During the evening an excellent {,' vocal, instrumental, and elocutionary £ programme was executed in capital n style by Messrs Buttterworth, Beadle, k Biker, Binnington, Bennett, Gray, [ Armifcage, and others, the proceedings 1 throughout being characterised by ex- 01 o?p&ionai cordiality an<j enjoymenc, C