TARANAKI WAR VETERANS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8172, 3 August 1906, Page 2

TARANAKI WAR VETERANS.

EEUNION AT NEW PLYMOUTH. There was a large gathering of vct("■■ms id the Itewa J!ewa range on I hursduy afternoon. A match was IVrcd between teams piukutl hy Captain Standish and Captain Mace, ami, although the rifles were entirely new to the marksmen, ami though some of them had noi sighted a target for upwards of thirty years, some very good

scores were made Captain Standish's team won, counting up averages for a shortage of five men, and Mr T. Clare nut up the biggest figures. The ranges wore at 200 and 300 yards, ten shots at Ihe first and live at Ike second. The scores were:

Caplain Standish's Team, ten at 200 and i'ye at 300.—5. Rundle 17, W. Nicholls IS), ,1. Pcppcrill 50, J. Hoskii23,J. Harvey 12, W. Eva 37, T. Langman 28, W. Humphries 12, R. Langman 11, Peter Martin 22, J. An-

Drews 10, W. Rundle 30, R. Baker tovor SO) 31, J. Way 2, W. King 31 It. Wells 31, J. Northcote 25, E, Lve (oyer 80) 53, Q.-Capain Cjek 18, T. Peuwardeu 58: 701. Five men short, and the average bringi the score to 880.

Captain Mace's Team.—W. B. Davis 15, 0. Oxenham 51, M. Corrick 10, R. Hart 32, .1. Itenyon 1, Capt. W. Newland 5, H. Newlaud 53, W. 11. Pearn 11, S. Loverage 11, T. P. Lister It, A. Pearn 1, W. Giddy IS). J. O'Donnell 25, F. Oliver 20, T. MeGuinness 13, J. C. George 33, B. Bishop 21, J. Crowe 31, T. Mace 28, J. C. Dayies 38, C. Oliver 38, T. 11. Clare 57, C. Barribal 10, W. Harrison 11, |J. Conway 18; tolal 731. THE DINNER AND SOCIAL. There was a braye show of medals anl decorations on the breasts of veterans at the dinner at the Red House Hotel at night. The diningroom was crowded to inconvenience, but the staff managed to put a crowning touch on the splendid commissariat arrangements made by Host Whittle. After the tables had been cleared of their load, the chairman, Captain A. It. Slaudish proposed "The Kin™." The Governor, who is also President of the Association, was toasted, and an extra salvo was given on the call of Mr W. T. Jennings, M.H.R., for the ex-Governor, Lord Ranfurly, to whose efforts was due the foundation of the Veterans' Home. Mr T. Woodard sang "The Brave Old Pioneers," in splendid style, and was enthusiastically recalled amidst considerable excitement, the words (composed by Mr A. B. It. Fookes) and the air (by Mr G. Garry) firing the spirits of the gathering.

Mr S. Hill proposed " The Veterans' Association." lie considered that there should be some monument erected to the memory of those who fought in New Zealand, more especially in Taranaki, aud commended this matter to the notice of the M's.H.H., Messrs E. M. Smith and W. T. Jennings, present

The orchestra struck up the old tune •'John Brown's body," to which the soldiers marched in the early days. The veterans took it up, voice and feet. The chairman thanked Mr Hill f<r his heart-felt remarks, and mentioned the excellent shooling of the veterans that day, cyeu with the new rille of which they, of course, knew nothing. He asked every voter a to join the Association, thus showing their interest in their fellow veterans. They were able to get certain concessions as a boi'y. Besides tin;, there was the chance that some members might die poor. But by the payment of llu> annual menibcrrs' fee of live shillings, a laud could be provided to accord a fitting funeral. Captain Standish hoped that the people would take up the matter of providing some fitting memorial to the Taranaki volunteers.

Lieutenant J. C. Davics proposed the toast of " Parliament." He referred to the late Sir Harry (Major) Atkinson, formerly Commanding Ollicer of the Bushrangers, and his foresight in endeavoring to provide it " volunteer fund." He, like the President, referred to the action of Mr K. M. Smith, M.H.R., in obtauiing free ammunition for the shooting that day. Song, "Tho Mermaid," Mr McLean. Encore, " Believe." Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R , responded to the toast, He claimed that he had done his " level best" for the colony and Ins constituents during his five terms as member for Turamiki. iNo other member had been returned so many times for this district. It he were the Premier ho would see that the warriors at Waireka should have a iur as a recognition of their services there, and some monumental memorial erected to the inomory of the fallen soldiers.

Mr Dockril, for Mr Sam Hill, presented a handsomely framed portrait of tho late Kight Hon. K. J. Scddon to Mr Tom Clare, who made the highest score at the targets in the afternoon. Mr Clare, in responding, compared the modern rille with the old "llrown liess" served out in the early war lime. The men of to-day had every advantage,

Mr Jennings, M.H.R., also responded to the toast of the Parliament, mentioning that his lather was one of the sSth in the Maori War in the Pay of Islands district in 1.81,1-5. If was a peculiar coincidence that that day there were 5S veterans on the range. In commemoration of the trials and troubles and fears of the old fighting days, he thought Ihe veterans should stand by one another more than at pre-.-sent.

Captain Mace, in proposing " The Volunteers," brought to mind the fact, that t'he Taranaki Kille Volunteers were the lic.-t British volunteers under lire. They led the advance, and were left iu the lurch at nighlfall by the regulars; but for the sailors none knew what woull have become of them. Cap. fain Mace made a strenuous appeal for the erection of a memorial. There was already USD or .till) promised, and he asked the Mayor of New Plymouth to take the matter up. Colonel Okey replied lleconsidered it a privilege to be among these men, who survived all those troubles of the carlv days lie had been amazed and delighted with Hie performances at the larget that day. The oldesl man on the ground had put up a couple of bull's eyes, and one of the best scores. He considered the volunteers of to-day would, if needed, follow iu their fathers' steps in defence of hearth and home, ami asked for greater assistance towards acquiring practice in rille shooting, Cadets should be given instruction iu this department

After the "Press" had been honored and responded to, Mr Harris Ford moved a hourly vote of thanks to the ollicers of Association for 1 lie entertainment provided, Mr J, Andrew al.-o spoke, and asked for greater publicity and support of the Association.

The National Anthem and " Auld Lang Syne " concluded a most enjoyable gathering.