ARRIVAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 701, 24 November 1881, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

On Monday night last the Government I steamship Hinemoa arrived at Lyttelton and before, the vessel arrived at the wharf the Lyttelton Naval Brigade as* sembleil, forming a guard of honor, under command of Lieut McLellan, and the Lyttelton Efiss Band siirred up the Lyitelton'ans, Colonel Packe, Major Lean and the officers, includ ; ng Captain Young, were on the pier awaiting the arrival of the men. On the ve.sel touching fie wharf. Mr Allwright, Mayor of Lyttelt.m and the members of the Borough Council went aboard and met Captain Hamer.sley the officer commanding. The letter, in the mime of the country and the Government, publicly thanked the men for their services. A special tra ; n aftvnv-irds conveyed the men, am dst much cheering, to Christchutch. At the nrlway station the Chiist church Ci'y Guards were drawn up on tli« platform to receive them. The Temuka Drum and fife bind under the leadership of Bandnraster Strntton was in Attendance also. The Mayor of Cbristohurch, together with the City Council,, were present, the former welcoming Captain Hamersley and his men back. Three cheers were given for the gallant captain and tiie Volunteers. Captain Hamersley replied in suitable terms. The men were ultimately marched to the hoteh where they were billeted for the night. At ten o'clock on Tuesday morning the men left by a special train for the south.

At Temufca preparations were made during the morning far the purpose of according the returning volunteers a fitting reception. Bunting floated in the bre°ze, in the main street, etc. At 1 p.m., the bugle soundod to call together the Volunteers who did not go to the front. They .'tssembled in the Volunteer Hull, where they were put through their facings by Senior-Sergeant Brewer. The R fle Volunteers, on emergin t from the Hall, were joined by a number of their ■ ompnnions in arms, the Canterbury "Xeomanry Cavalry, under command of Lieutenant Lewis. On the hour approaching for the train to arrive at the station, the Rifles, and Cavalry—who, for the nonce, went on foot.—headed by the-Te-mukit Brass Band, which played several airs en route, proceeded to the railway station by way of the n.ain street. Here the Volunteers (numbering twenty-five in all) were formed into line, and on the tram arriving, presented arms, whilst the band struck up. Whilst the engine stopped at the water.-f.inks to take in n supply of water the returning Volunteers alighted (Jfrom the carriages, and made their way to the platform, where they exchanged greetings with their relations, sweethearts, friends, ;md comrades in arms. They all seemed in excellent i spirits, but were terribly sunburnt, te§ti- '

fyinjf to the great heat they must have beer, exposed to during their sojourn m the North Island. The guard having sounded his whisile, as a sign to proceed on the journey to Tiiuaiu, at the invitation of Captain Hamersley the. welcoming party of Rifles and O.Y.C. also got into the carriuw-M, inid the train sped on 'ts way. Tue hand then returned into the towD, and for half an hour afterwards it was enlivened by its, inspiriting strains.

On tli*> train arriving, at Timaru, be twee:> 2000 and 3000 persons assemble at the railway st. thm to receive the volunteers, who headed by Hie ban I marched through the principal streets, the.:ce down the main road to Mr Jonas' auction room where they were entertained at a champagne luncheon, when the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk with much enthusiasm. The men were then dismissed!)) - Captain Hamersley. The Tenmka ctnti.ngeu.t left by the L .it. train and arrived at the railway station shortly sifter 5 p.m. The p'atfurm w;is again crowded with persons to witutss their return. On aliguting from the train they were foimed into line, after which they gave hearty cheers for their officers, their A.-hburton comrades &a. They then marched, to the Volunteer Hall lie ded by the drum-.and fife bant?,.and were dismissed by Lieut White. Dining the evening knots of persons ivere to be seen in the main road listei ing to the recounter of the gallant deeds performed by those returned from the front. When the Ashburtoo contingent, returned they found the township all aglow with enthusiasm and a torchlight procession concluded the evening's proceed; dings in that township.