COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1487, 1 April 1886, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

A complimentary dinner to Captain Moore took place in the Good Templars' Hull, Geraldine, ou Tuesday night last. The dinner was provided by.Mr Mclluitb, at Iho Bush Hotel, and reflet ted great credit on him for the manner in which it was got up. About 54 sat down to d nner, Dr Fish taking the chair, and Major Young the vice-chair. The Health of the Queen and Royal Family” was proposed and duly honored. Mr Henry Moore proposed the toast of “/The Army and Navy, and Volunteers,” coupled with the names of Major Young, Sergt.-Major Jenes, and Sergt, Stonehouse. This toast was drank in flowing bumpers, Song by a gentleman, “ Pretty Sally,” which was well received.

Major Young briefly responded to the toast of the Volunteers.

Sergeant Stonehouse responded on behalf of the Navy. Ho had been in (he navy a great number of years, and was very young when he first entered the service. He had seen blood spilt in China, where he hid been in an engagement. As a Volunteer he would be as willing to fight as when in China. Sergt.-Major Jones responded on behalf of the Army, and thanked those present for the hearty way the toast had been drunk.

Lieut. Peafpoint proposed the toast of “The Quest, Capt. Moore,” and requested that it should be drank in flowing bumpers and three times three. Oaptiin Moore in responding said : I really hardly know how to thank you for the hearty way you hava drank my health. When I first heard you were going to entertain ms with a dinner, L was at a loss to know what I had done to merit such an honor. It will be the greatest pleasure of my life to look back and see that ray exertions fin connection with the Geraldine Rifles were appreciated. Mr Pcarpoint has given me credit for the efficiency the corps has attained. When I first became a Volunteer I had not the lime interest in it that I bare How. I felt great diffidence in accepting the captaincy, as 1 did not think I was capable ot taking it. I have had to teach others and to learn myself, I have taught myself, but 1 have still a great deal to learn, It is not twelve mouths since the corps was enrolled. Wo at first had the services of Mr Willoughby, who not only taught the men but taught the officers. But a short time afterwards the Government sent out Sergt.-Major Jones, and he has licked ns into shape. During the past year wo have been part of the time in plain dress. Now we have undress uniforms, and in a few days hope to have our full dress uniforms; and in a few moro month*to have our drill shed ready. 1 am sorry that 1 shall not be able to go with the corps to Camaru, and it h witn grt* t regret that I am leaving you new, although it is not with regret that I am leaving New Zealand as it is a leag tisie since I came out here, but it will be a pleasure when I come back again to take command of the corps. I hare to thank you for the very hearty reception yo« have given me to-night. The toast of “ The Visitors,” coupled with the names of Major Young and Mr R. H. Postlethwaite, was duly honored. Mr T. Sherratt gave a song. Major Young responded, on behalf of the visitors, and said, as one of till oldest

volunteer* in South Canterbury, it gave him great pleasure to respond. He had no hesitation in saying that if ever the volunteers were called upon they would be found willing to respond, and would be to the fore when required. Mr R. H. PostlethWaite also responded. It gave him great pleasure to bo present, and to seethe great esteem in which their officer, Captain Moore, was held. He thanked them for the kind welcome to himself and other viators. Mr Logan sang “ Old Log Cabin in the Dell.”

Major Young proposed the to* *t of “ The Geraldine Bifle Corps,” coupled with the name of Lieutenant Ward. Lieutenant Ward thanked them for the Banner in which they had honored the toast •f the Geraldine Bifles. He had alwayi taken a great interest in volunteering since it was first started in Canterbury. If they bad searched the district they could not have got a gentleman to well fitted for the post of Captain as their gurst, Captain Moore, He wa* Sorry that he would not be able to attend the Oanoarn encampment. Lieutenant Pearpoint felt they would miss Captain Moore at the Oamaru encampment snore than they would at their ordinary drill, Snt during Captain Moore's absence the corps must work on, eo that at his return he will find the eorpe more efficient than at present. Sergeant Hughes said he was pleased te respond on behalf of. the Geraldine Bifles. Captsin Moore had told them that he bad nail himself efficient, and he was sorry that he (Sergeant Hughes) w»« not. Ha had no doahl that CapWitt* Moore made the corps efficient, and be had taught them all to respect themselves, which was a very good thing. Captain Moore presented to Private Ferguson the Cup presented by Lieutenant Ward, and impressed upon him the necessity of winning it twice in succession before It could become his own property. Priyate Ferguson returned thanks, and hoped, that it would bo won by soma better ■hot than himsslf/but he intended to try and keep it. Private Patrick gave a recitation. Lieutenant Pearpoint proposed the toast of “The Hon..Membere,” coupled with the names of the Bev. Jas, Preston and Mr Dunlop. The Bev. Mr Pretson returned thanks for the manner in which the toast was drank, and said that it gave him great pleasure to attend the dinner given to Captain Moore. Ho mnet wish him a prosperous voyage Home, and a speedy return to New Zealand, Mr Dunlop said he had to thank them for the manner in which they had drank the health of hen. members, and be could assure them that it gave him great pleasure to be an ton. member of this corps. " It surprised him to hear that there was a volunteer corps in tbie district 17 yeare ago. Bandsman Kruse sing “ Bound the Water Butt.”

The Eer Mr Prsston proposed the toast of “The Ladies,” coupled with the names of Sergeant Penny and Corporal Bethune, to which they suitably responded. Ths toast ot “ The Press ” was proposed by Dr Fish, and responded to by Mr Coek (of ths Gpabsi&s) and Mr Hughes. Captain Meore proposed the toast of "Staff-Sergeant 10068,” who briefly responded. Mr Fostletbwaite, on rising, said hs was sorry that such an occasion was required. In Mr Moore leering he was losing a good friend, and the district was losing a good officer. He had now much pleasure in proposing the health of “ The Chairman,” Dr Fish.

Dr Fish responded. He mas much obliged to then for the manner in which they had drank the toast. He had no anticipation of being appointed Chairman that evening, and be would not bare accepted it had it not been for Captain Moore. He would again thank them for the pleasure he had felt that evening.

“ The Host atid Hoetees ” was propoied by Private Patrick.

Mr Hughe* returned thanks on behalf of Hra McHraiib,' and truated that all were satisfied, for, if they were, she wo*. " Ged Sare the Queen ” brought tha melting to a close.