VALEDICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 236, 2 November 1903, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

FHIBENTATIO'SS TO OAPTAIJJ ' TAUNTON.' * i On Friday evening tho officers of thel Taranaki Voluntwr &f the Criterion fc. k bid taSwelUo | Captain ,^ nu » oni Colonf i gj Hg pre . r, <?&V!Dg on bis right; tho guest d j><* e'venirg. The officers present. i.j'.vere-:—Msjoc Okey, Chaplain Majer ;j Evacs, Major Dempsfly, Captain Quartermaster C:ck, Onp';aina Cook ami Weston, Lieutenants Okey,, Messenger, and TbomßS (Stratford). Apologies were rec&ived from Captain-Adjutant Malone, Captains Boddie, Leach, Kemblc, Lieutenants Thomson and Hammerton, all of whom sent letters eulogising Captain Taunton's services and wishing him " good luck." After the toast of " The King " h<id been duly honoured, Colonel Ellis proposed the health of Captain Taunton, and on behalf of the officers of the Battalion presented him with a gold sovereign case fully loaded, and wished him every success in his future career, as well as a beirty welcome if be should return to Taraniiki. The toast was enthusiastically received, and accorded musical honours. Captain Taunton, in thanking the officers for thoir kind recognition of bis services, reitsrated the remarks ho made tho previous evening to the Guards Club, adding that tbe work had been a labour of lovo, and that though it was impossible to please everyone, he bad tried to do his best to promote tbe efficiency of the Taranaki volunteers. (Applause). Captain Cook in proposing "The Battalion Staff," added his tribute of praise to tJaptain Taunton, especially as to tbe efficiency of the Guards when he (the speaker) took over the command. Major Okey in his reply said he considered Oaptiin Taunton had been tbe hardest working man on the staff, and shown an excdlent example in carrying out his duties and furthering the volunteer movement - a task that had been performed at considerable personal sacrifice. Ho hoped that wherever Captain Taunton went he would meet with euccfss, and that he would return here and te again connected with the defence force?. Chaplain Major Evans praised Captain Taunton's firm stand for discipline —the great want in every corps. In bidding him farewell lis could say that the full effect of Captain Taunton's work was not yet apparent, but it would endure so long as the Battalion lasted. Captain-Quartermaster Cock and Lieut. Thomis also added tributes of praise and expressions cf goodwill. Lieut. Okey, in proposing " Tho Cadet Corps," pointed oat the great benefit of these organisations. Major Dempsey, in reply, said he was glad to have tho piivilego of being present on that occasion and showing his respect for Captain TauntoD, whom he considered to be a soldier and a gentleman. He warmly thanked him for his assistance in getting the Central School Cadets to such a fine state of efficiency that they were placed in tho foreftont at ChtistcWch. The toast of the " Press," replied to by the representative of the Duly News, brought to a close one of the most cordial gatherings that have taken place here. On Saturday evening the Garrison Band serenaded Captain Taunton at his business premises in Devon-street, and Bandmaster Gordon, on behalf of bis comrades, presented Captain Taunton with a handsome walsing cane suitably inscribed, the gift being acknowledged very feelingly. In addition to the above, Captain Taunton has received quite a number of mementos from friends. He departs from .New Pljmeuth to-day, and leaves behind him a gap in Volunteering circles that will be hard to fill.