TEMUKA DRILLSHED.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1560, 23 September 1886, Page 2

TEMUKA DRILLSHED.

The ceremony of laying the foundation of the new Temuka Rifle Volunteer Drill* shed was celebrated yesterday afternoon with great eclat. All the places of business were closed at 2 p.m., and all the hotels displayed bunting in honor of the occasion. At 3.30 the Temuka Rifles, to the number of 38, and the cadets, to the number of 35, inclusive of officers, fell into line on the ground adjoining (ha Volunteer Hall, and were inspected by Majors Hamersley and Newall and Captain Hayhurst, after which they marched to the paddock adjoining Vine street, and were put through battalion drill for about three quarters of an hour. They then marched back to the site of the new hall, where a large concourse of people had assembled, and after they had once more been drawn up into line, and everything was ready, Captain Hayhurst stepped forward, and said they all knew the object for which they had assembled, which was to lay the foundation stone of their new hall. They owed it to the Hon. Mr Rolleston. They would not have been there ‘hat day only for the efforts of Mr Rolleston in getting money from the Government to assist them in building it. It was well known that their present hall was too small, and the hall they were about to erect would replace it. Mrs Hayhurst had kindly consented to lay the foundation stone. Mrs Hayhurst was then presented with the following address " To Mrs J. T, M. Hayhurst. “ Madam, -In the name of the officers and members of the Temuka Rifle Volunteer Corps, and of the various friends of the Company, I have been requested to ask you to honor them by laying the foundation stone of their new drillshed, I am encouraged to do this by bearing in miod the well-known fact of your frequently expressed sympathy with all matters connected with i lie corps for the past few years, and also, that you are a younger representative of those ladies of this district who, so long ago as 1872, contributed largely to the fund organised for the erection of the first Volunteer Hall. Their example on that occasion is likely to be worthily followed in this our new undertaking, and I trust that on this foundation stone may be erected a building which will long be a credit to the Volunteer Corps and their numerous friends. In their name I again humbly desire that you will declare this stone well and truly laid. “ Signed on behalf of the Company. “G. J. Mason, “ Secretary. “ September 22,1886.” Mrs Hayhurst in reply said—Officers and men of the Temuka Rifle Volunteers, -I can assure you that it is with no small degree of gratification on my part that I have accepted your invitation to perform theceremony of laying the foundation stone of your new Drillshed. I congratulate you on the prospect of soon having a building much more spacious and convenient than the present one, in which the various evolutions which a?e necessary may be gone throagh with more credit to yourselves

and more satisfaction to your officers. The fact of erecting a new Drillshed proves that you are earnest in your work, and by your regular attendance «t drill you show yourselves to.be desirous of becoming a well disciplined and efficient body of meo, fully capable (should it ever be necessary) of resolute action in defending tire honor of your country and protecting thorn? who are nearest and dearest to you. Mr-Mason then presented Mrs Hayhurst with a beautiful silver trowel, inscribed as" follows ;—“ Temuka Rifle Volunteers. Presented te Mrs J. T. M. Hay burst on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the new drillshed, September 22nd, 1886.” Mrs Hay burst then laid the stone, which consisted of a block of Camara stone, carved by Mr J. Radford. On the outward face of It the Crown was carved within the letters Y.R., R.V., 1886. Mrs Hayhunt having declared the stone well and truly laid, the band struck up “God Sire the Queen,” after which three cheers were given for Mrs Hayhurst and the Honorable W. Rolleston. The Comp* "V was then photographed by Mr Fetr , photographer, Tiraarn, after which au adjournment was made to the old ball, where a splendid cold luncheon was laid out. The luncheon was provided by Captain Hayhurst out ot his own private purse, and was everything that could be desired. ■ Captain Hayhurst occupied the chair. On hie right were Mesdames Hayhurst, Hamersley, and Mendelson, and o» his left were the Hon. W. Rolleston, Major and Mrs Youog, and Mr and Mr* J, Talbot,

Af*er the good things had been done fall justice to, the Chairman proposed |fche toast of “The Queen,” which *«' pnly honored. [ Mr Gray next proposed the toast of V* The Parliament of New Zealand.”

13hfey bad statesmen in New Zealand of any colony might be proud, and he thought the last session bad been marked by much success. He therefore proposed the;toast, coupled with the name of the Hob, W Rolleston. The toast having been drunk, Mr Rollestpn said be had always a nervous feeling 'whenever he spoke in that Hall, bu' on the present occasion felt none of it. They bad a long laborious session, and bad dune a good deal of work, but of course he way not going to make a political speech;. Before next session be would speak to them on politics. He thanked them for the way thay had drunk the toast. He had been asked to propose the toast of “The Army and Navy, and Volunteers ” and he did so with great

pleasure, as he believed it to be the toast [ of the occasion. They bad met on a gratifying mission that day. It was a mission that testified to the patriotism and loyalty of the people in a very efficient manner, and hebeliev. d they were indebted in a great measure to vflaptain and Mrs Hayhurst for it. The represented what all Englishmen 1’ were most proud of, and awakened feelings of patriotism and loyalty which were* creditable to them. There was a strong feelingdh favor of law and order in this district, and the volunteering spirit shown, proved the existence of a stronger feeling of loyalty. Not many years since the.volunteers proved that they would be resdy if called upon, and be was glad to see present some of those who had volunteered >logb to the North Island. (Applause.) Volunteering had received an impulse f from the action of New South Wales in sending a contingent to the Soudan; and Ibe believed it did more than that, it I gave an impulse to Imperial Federation. (Applause.) He thanked Mrs i Hayhurst especially, for the able manner |in which she had performed the Idlity of laying the foundation stone, and | woond op by proposing the toast, coupled ? with the names of Dr Campbell (army), ? the Rev. Mr Hamilton (navy), and Major \ Hameisley (volunteers), J The toast having been drunk with en--1 thusiasm, the Band played a musical selection.

Dr Campbell thanked them for coupling his name with the toast. He bad seen some service, and most of bis

reiatioDß w ere soldiers. He said that not

as a boast, but to assure them that be felt a deep interest in military affairs. Their grandchildren would probably look back with feelings of pride on their grandfathers who were the first soldiers of iTemukr.

' The Rev. Mr Hamilton felt pleasure in ; being present. He bad seen service io \the navy. A characteristic of “Jack ‘Tar” was his loyally to his Queen. He ' could not help thinking that the \ foundation atone of life was mar-

riage, and for Volunteers the next important thing was attending to their drill. He wonld say to the

cadets, “Feel your touch;” be careful against sin; be noble.and good, and take example by General Gordon. His life proved it was possible for a man to be a soldier and a Christian. He thanked them loathe way they had drank the toast.

Major Hamersley felt it an honor to return thanks on behalf of the Volunteer*. Hot long since a volunteer eould noVgo down a street in England without being laughed at, but volunteering was no*r recognised as one of the English institutions. In New Zealand volunteering saved a standing army, and obviated the necessity of raising rates and taxes, as they would be ready to defend the colony if billed upon to do so. “The Press” was proposed in very faltering terms by Lieutenant Findlay, and responded to by Messrs Twomey, Maginnis, and Gaze. Mr Talbot proposed the toast of “ The Temuki Rifles,” coupled with the name of Captain Hayhurst. He was glad to 'see them getting up such a spacious hall, and felt sure volunteering would succeed ao. long as Captain and Mrs Hayhurst took an interest in it. (Cheers.) Everyone had his hobby, and he believed Captain Hayhurst’s hobby was volunteering, and, if so, it was a hobby that took the direction of public usefulness. He hoped they would never be called upon to-fight a foreign foe, but if so he believed they would do it. But they were useful in saving us a standing army, and also in training the youth to habits of discipline. If the Czar read the Timuka Leader he could see we had very little cash (laughter), but he might come for our wool and wheat, sod if he did be (the speaker) expected he would get a warm reception. He would now propose the toast, and be believed he could not , do batter than include Mrs Hayhurst in italic. (Graat obafriif).

Captain Hayhurst thanked them. Volunteering was a hobby of his, and he had done his best for the corps since he joined, and would continue to do so. He thought he could do no better than let Mrs Hayhurst speak for herself. (Cheers). Mrs Hayhurst, who wasjreceived with rapturous applause, said that aho was token unawares in thia. Laat time she was prepared, but this time ehe waa not, and she did not know what to say. She was sure that volunteering waa a hobby with her husband for he could think of very little e'fw. (Applauae.) There was a matter of which she wished to speak. They were going to have a fancy fair (tremendous applause), and she hoped they would all assist, and come and put their hands deep into their pockets, and tsH'st in filling the stalls, for they could ■.ot. he filled without assistance. (Great ■ pplanae.) Obtain Hayhurst proposed the staff, r copied with the name of Major Ne vail. Tire toast having been drunk, Major Newall thanked them, and said the Temuka Riflas wore as good as any in Can-tt-rbury, and if the Russians came they ■.. uld* be met as they ought to be. He i uld not but express bis admiration at the • droituess with whieh Mr« Hayhmst introduced the subject of the fancy fair. (Laughter and applause). Nothing could have bean more beautiful. Her husband ind done quite right in allowing Mrs Hayhnrsc to speak for herself, for she ceruinly could make a better speech thai he con'd, (Great applause). Lieutenant White proposed “The Health of the Contractors,” which waa r i-pooded to by Meurt Clinch and Lloyd. Captain Bryars proposed the toast of “ The Ladies,” and it waa appropriately responded to by Lieut. Cross. Major Hamersley proposd “ The Health of Major Young,” ene of the oldest volunteers in South Canterbury. When Major Young commanded the Temuka Rifles be and the speaker frequently fought pitched battles. tMajor Youog often mirched into Timaru and took the town, a-id on one occasion one of them r»m short of ammunition and the other lent him some. He remembered one wet day that Major Young marched into Ti.naru, fought his way from the Washdyke, and marched back to Temuka again. He considered that a heavy day’s work.

The toast having been drank with musical honors, Major Young responded. He said he was one of the first members of the corps, and the Government was much more liberal now than then. At that time they considered themselves lucky if a drill instructor visited them once in twelve months, But Government hud not done esough yet. They ought to provide uniforms and drillsheds at least. He waa glad to see the corps was improving, and was pleased with the liberal way they were treated by Captain and Mrs Hayhurst. (Applause.)

This concluded the last of the toasts and the proceedings came to an end.