TARANAKI RIFLES' REUNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 September 1907, Page 3

TARANAKI RIFLES' REUNION.

The Tarauaki Rifles' annual dinnei eventuated in the company's orderly room last niglit. There was a gooi muster of the members of the Riflei and their guests. Amongst the lattc; were Colonel Messenger, Major Sheet 1 (43rd Ottawa Regiment), Captain Sand lord, Captain Mills (Taranaki Guards) Oimilormaster-Captains Cock, V.D., an< (they, Lieutenants Boon and Bead! (liuards), ex-Lieutenant Messenger, Bat-talion-Sergeant Anpitage. His Wor ri!i 'l' tlle ilnyor (Mr. E. Dockrill) oceu lneil the seat on the left of Caplaii Beilringer, who presided. Lieutenant! Lvor and Humphries were present Apologies we..- received for the abs'enci of Colonel Bauehop, Colonel Okey Colonel Ellis, and Captain Standisli. The lirst part of (lie evening wai occupied in disposing of an excellen' dinner, catered by the Hygienic Bakery The tables were laden with good things and nicely arranged. "The King" having been loyally lion oured ( Captain Beilringer proposei "The Army and Navy." lie though! that after the experience of the Soutl African war the toast should be giver as "The Navy and the British Forces.' Colonel Messenger responded. The navy, In- said, required no culogium II was only the smartness of a nava' ollker that made this a British instead oi a French colony. Captain Mills proposed "The Taranak Battalion Stall'." Quartermaster-Cap tains Okey and Cock replied, the lattei stating that he, hail just retired iron the Battalion, having reached his serviei limit. In expressing his pride in tin Taranaki volunteers, who claimed It have been the first .British volunteers under lire, he said they were apt Ic forget the Australians who manned a sloop Victoria and sent her across here at the time of the Maori trouble. Those Australians fought side by side with our volunteers. The .\l.\yov introduced the toast of "The Colonial Forces," not forgetting, lie said, the "contingenters." Major Sheets, in replying, thanked Mr. Dockrill for his reference to the Panadians, who had had an opportunity at Paardcberg and had been plucky enough to take full advantage of it. One had to travel round the globe in Drder to grasp what was' meant by the Empire and the grandeur of being "one of the family." He concluded by toasting "The New Dominion and the Umpire," the toast being drunk to the itrains of "Rule Britannia." Captain Sandford gave (he toast of "The Taranaki Rifles," the oldest volunteer company in New Zealand. The I'ompany, he said, had traditions. It hail been formed to fight for the defence of hearth and home. It was one .if the few companies entitled to have 'South Africa" inscribed on its banner. S'o other company in the colony had the tame grand past. He trusted that Taranaki people would long honour jrandfathcrs, who had done so much in lefence of home here a fpw years ago. 'All honour," he said, "to' those brave [lien now under (he sod. We look to i'Ou to keep the old corps going. Long nay the Taranaki Rifle Volunteers be ;lie premier corps of the colony and ;eep unsullied their glorious heritage." Captain Beilringer responded. He :hanked Captain Sandford for the inspiriting manner in which he had prolosecl the toast, and trusted the Rifles .voiild not be found wanting. They vould be pleased and interested to know diat on his right he had one of the iriginal members of the company, Colonel Messenger. (Applause.') lie oiued as a private in 185!), and rose to ic sergeant. Just before the battle 'f Waireka he was given a commission, imMic went on in the service until ie ttained his colonelcy. Lieutenant Lever proposed "Visitors rom Other Companies," Captain Mills ml I.iPiitenants Beadle and Messenger esponding. Other loa*ls honoured were "Honoarv Member-:." "The Press," "The .adies." "Mr. Perry, accompanist," "The !aterer." The following programme was gtven luring the evening:—Songs by Captain Jills, Lieutenant Beadle, Corporal ''larke, and Mr. Harris: recitations bv Jeutonant Humphries, Bugler-Sergeant Tonkins, Private Stokes, and Mr. iVillis; and a pianoforte solo by Major Wheels. Mr. W. Perry played'the aclompaniments. "Auld Lang Syne" and the National l\ntlieni concluded the proceedings.