THE VETERAN'S RE-UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 232, 29 March 1912, Page 8

THE VETERAN'S RE-UNION.

HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. I AN ECHO OF THE PAST. Last night was veterans' night. For them it was a memorable occasion, and in! commemoration of the 52nd anniversary! of the battle of Waireka they were entertained at a banquet in the Brougham Street Hall by the younger men of New Plymouth. In the morning and afternoon the veterans indulged in a shooting match, at which there was a good muster. A quarter past six iin the evening saw the whole of the veterans, to the number of nearly a hundred, marching in procession to the banquetting hall, the sixteen survivors 'of Waireka being in a position of honor in front. Prior to that they paraded at the corner of Brougham and Devon Streets. ! On arrival at the hall "these men of i old" were briefly welcomed by the chairman (Mr. J. E. Wilson), who expressed the hope that they would get as much pleasure out of the gathering as the younger men had had in arranging it. j Mr. A. R. Standish was vice-chairman of the gathering. Apologies for non-attendance were read i from Major-General Godley, Hon. Thos. j Mackenzie, Mr. H. Okey, M.P., Captain Standish, and others, after which all sat down to a sumptuous repast. The toast of "The King" was proposed by Mr. J. E. Wilson and drunk with' marked enthusia*"'. In proposing ' "'ie Army and Navy" Mr. R. Cock took the opportunity to urge the necessity of compulsory military training. Responding, Colonel Okey 6aid that during the troublesome times both the army and navy saw service in New Zealand, and did their duty well. He had no doubt that if ever the present generation were called upon to fight they would worthily uphold the traditions of the past. (Applause.) The toast of "The Parliament of New Zealand" was proposed by Mr. J. Clarke, and in doing so he recalled how 25 years ago they had a representative premier in Taranaki, one who was the pioneer of liberal measures. Response was made by the Hons. T. Kelly and 0. Samuel. According to Mr. Kelly, when he was first returned to Parliament in 1869 he had to make his way _ overland to attend the session. Passing through Hawera he found the town and its environs were deserted. All had fled to the blockhouse. The same state of things prevailed at Patea and elsewhere. Digressing on the massacre at White Cliffs, he said it was shameful how those in the blockhouse there had been neglected by the authorities. He also took the opportunity to defend the Legislative Council against the hard things that were continually spoken of it. In an eloquent speech the Hon. 0. Samuel said that representative government ought to be simple enough, but it was not, and in this connection he laid much of the blame at the door of the party system. What the country wanted was men of intelligence and integrity; men who were prepared to do their best. Party, however, introduced an entirely new element. When an election took place it was simply a question of "under which king? Which party do you support?" All else was a secondary consideration. Concluding, the speaker paid & tribute to the quiet, unassuming, b»t invaluable work of the Legislative Council, and also spoke very feelingly on the neglect of the veterans by the Government. The toast of the evening was "The Veterans who fought in the Battle of Waireka, 1860." In proposing it Archdeacon Evans said that it seemed that > his fate had been to come to New Plymouth and fall in love with the old veterans, and then to bury a good many of them. (Laughter.) It was his sincere hope, however, that it would be many years before he would be called upon to lay these heroes "in their last restingplace." (Applause.) Like several other speakers during the evening the archdeacon dwelt upon the subject of military training, and asked what would become of the country if the views of the anti-militarists were allowed to hold sway. To oppose military training was, to his mind, unscriptural and nonsensical. Replying on behalf of the veterans, Corporal Maee spoke in very appreciative terms of the splendid way in which they had been entertained that night by the younger men_ of New Plymouth. A lot had been said about them by various speakers, but they had done very little • —they had simply done their duty. (Applause.) He then related many interesting reminiscences of the battle of Waireka, in which he had fought. Veteran J. Andrews also returned itthanks on behalf of his fellows. "I would," he feelingly exclaimed, "sooner miss anything else than commemorating this day." In proposing the toast of the "Royal! New Zealand Association of His Majesty's Veterans" the chairman added his! tribute to their brave deeds and good service in the early days of Taranaki. Col. Ellis replied and commented that the action of the younger men in thus, entertaining the veterans was indeed a step in the right direction. For many years past the survivors had themselves celebrated the battle, but their gathering was usually a self-laudatory meetMr. Ellis also that a soldier did not fight for his pay, and passing on said that if the young men of to-day refused to train, then sooner or later they would be forced to drill, not by Europeans, but by Asiatics. Time was getting' on, and so Mr. C. H. Weston did not long take up the attention of the company for long in pro-1 posing the toast of "Local Bodies," nether did the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne) or the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer) in their replies. During the evening a series of stirring > and interesting reminiscences were re-i lated by Lieut. J. C. Davies, mostly concerning some of the lost flags of the! Maori war. I Musical items were rendered by Messrs 0. T. Mills, S. Perry, A. V. Carbines and Johnstone. At the conclusion of the banquet the < veterans adjourned to the Empire Pic- 1 ture Theatre, where they were the i guests of the management. In their t honor a "star" film was shown in the ( shape of "The Last Muster of the Bala-it clava Light Brigade." It was a fitting.] termination to what was undoubtedly f a red letter day for the veterans. ' |(

Those of the veterans who responded \ to the roll call were: Col. J. Ellis (43rd Regiment :ui<l Volunteers), long service medal and New Zealand war medal; Captain J. Armstrong, New Zealand war medal; Captain J. (Black, New Zealand war medal; Captain (». Cock, New Zealand war medal and long service medal; Captain F. Mace, New Zealand cross and New Zealand war medal; Captain J. E. McKellar, New Zealand war medal; Captain W. Xewland, New Zealand war medal; Captain T. Wilson, New_ Zealand war medal; Lieut. W. F. Brooking, New Zealand war medal; Lieut. J. C. Davies, New Zealand war medal; Lieut. W. Johnson, New Zealand war medal; Lieut.Colonel C. M. Kyngdon, New Zealand war medal; Lieut. 0. Oxenham, New Zealand war medal: Col.-Sergt. G. Bertrand, New Zealand war medal; Col.- ! Sergt. F. G. Arden, New Zealand war |medal; Sergt. G. A. Adlam (43rd Regiment), New Zealand war medal; Sergt. 1 J, Crozier (05th Regiment and the MiliJtia), New Zealand war medal; Sergt. , F. Oliver, New Zealand war medal; Sergt. 'il. Newland, New Zealand war medal; I Corporal W. Bell (10th Hussars), India ! medal and clasp; Corporal W. Humphries, 'New Zealand war medal; Corporal J. | Lander, New Zealand war medal; Bugler J. H. Walker, New Zealand war medal; ( Private T. . Allen, New Zealand war I medal; Private J. Andrews, New Zealand I war medal; Private H. Autridge, New Zealand war medal; Private C. Barriball, • New Zealand Maori war veteran; Private A. Bailey, New Zealand war medal; Private C. Billing, New Zealand war medal; Private T. J. Billing, New Zealand war medal; Private A. Binnie, New Zealand war medal; Private J. W. Boon, Maori war veteran; Private E. Bullot, i New Zealand war medal; Private W. I Bullot, New Zealand war medal; Private T. Colson, New Zealand war medal; Private J. Conway (Gsth Regiment), New Zealand war medal; Private J. Corney, New Zealand war medal; Private J. Crone (Royal Field Artillery), Egypt and India clasps and medals; Private E. de Castro, New Zealand war medal; Private J. Easy (65th Regiment), New Zealand' war medal; Private C. Edgecombe, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Edgecombe, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Elliott, New Zealand war medal; Private S. Eva, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Eva, New Zealand war medal; Private T. Furlong (57th Regiment), Crimea clasp and medal and New Zealand war medal; Private A. H. Good, Maori war veteran; Private C. Greenaway, New Zealand war medal; Private R. B. Hart, New Zealand war medal; Private J. Hawke, New Zealand war medal and re"volver for special service at L. Pa, March 17, 1860; Private 0. Hoby, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Hood, New Zealand war medal; Private A. J. Hosking, New Zealand war medal; Private H. Howell, Maori war veteran; Private H. [ J. Julian, New Zealand war m,edal; Private T. Kelly, New Zealand war medal; | Private J. Kenyon, New Zealand war 'medal; Private W. King (65th Regi|ment), New Zealand war medal; Private ,IT. S. Kyle, New Zealand war medal; Pri- ■' vate R. Langman, New Zealand war ■ .medal; Private S. Loveridge, New Zea- . I land war medal; Private M. McGonnell, i* Maori war veteran; Private E. Mead, [ New Zealand war medal: Private E. C. • Meredith, New 'Zealand war medal; Pril vate W. Moon, Maori war veteran; Pri- • vate E. Morshead, New Zealand war r medal; Private H. J. Moverley, New Zea--1 land war medal; Private J. Mynott (43rd , Regiment), New Zealand war medal; Prii vate W. Nicholls, New Zealand war medal; Private J. O'Donnell (55th Regi- ! ment), Crimea clasp and medal, Indian Mutiny and special medal for best shot ; in British service; Private W. Paynter, : New Zealand war medal; Private A. [ Pearn, New Zealand war medal; Privata ' T. B. Penwarden, New Zealand war | medal; Private J. Pepperell, New Zealand I war medal; Private H. Putt, Maori wai Private Jas. Reynolds, New Zea- ! land war medal; Private J. Richards, , New Zealand war medal; Private G. F. Robinson, New Zealand war medal; Pri- , vate J. G. Rock, Maori war veteran; Pri- , vate C. N. Rowe, New Zealand war med- | al; Private W. Rundle, New Zealand wat J medal; Private C. Tunbridge (43rd Regi,l ment), New Zealand war medal; Private J. Way (70th Regiment), New Zealand (war medal; Private W. D. Webster, New I Zealand war medal; Private T. L. Wililiams, New Zealand war medal; Private 'P. G. Wilson, New Zealand war medal; ! Private H. T. Wood, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Lynch, New Zealand war medal; Private W. H. Pearn, New , Zealand war medal.

Amongst those unable to 1)6 present were: Captain J. Hosking, New Zealand war medal; Captain A. Standish, New Zealand war medal; Lieut. M. Jones, New Zealand war medal; Lieut. T. McGuinness, New Zealand war medal; Sergt. W. Kelly, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Billing, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Black, New Zealand war medal; Private W. B. Davies, Maori war veteran; Private W. Gidding, New Zealand war medal; Private W. H. Jenkins, New Zealand war medal; Private s! | Knuckey, New Zealand war medal; Private E. J. Morgan, New Zealand war medal; Private J. Northeott, New Zealand war medal; Private J. O'Brian, New Zealand war medal; Private W. Rowe, New Zealand war medal; Private j! Sampson, New Zealand war medal; Private R. Street, New Zealand war medalPrivate E. Wells, New Zealand war medal; Private H. Weston, Maori war veteran; Private T. Wright, New Zealand war medal.