PRESENTATION TO LIEUTENANT FINDLAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2646, 14 April 1894, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO LIEUTENANT FINDLAY.

The presentation to Lieutenant Findlay, which, as already reported, took place on Wednesday evening, was made by Colonel Bailey on behalf of the corps. Just prior to the supper interval the company mustered at the bottom end of the hall, Lieutenant Findlay being in advance. Colonel Bailey, accompanied by Major Young and the other officers present, advanced to the centre of the hall and said ;|“ Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been deputed by the Temuka Volunteers to make a presentation to Lieut. Findlay, who is about to retire from the Volunteer Force after 25 years’ service. lam sorry for one reason that the task has been entrusted to me, as it might have been placed in better hands—entrusted to one who could do more justice to the re* cipient’s good and sterling qualities. It has been my pleasure to know Lieut. Findlay since I took command of the South Canterbury Battalion, and 1 have always found him a first-class officer and enthusiastic volunteer. The esteem in which he is held by his comrades is shown by the tribute they desire to present to him. They and myself are very sorry to lose him after 25 years’ service. A man who has conscientiously gone through 35 years of the rough and smooth of volunteering has acquired valuable experience and done good for his country, and his retirement must be a source of deep regret. He wears upon his breast the medal given by the Government for long and meritorious service, and I have now to present him with a small token from his comrades of their appreciation of those services.

Colonel Bailey then presented Lieut. Findlay with a gold albert andmaltese cross. Upon one side of this was engraved “ Lieut. Findlay, April 11,1894,” on the other, “ As a mark of esteem from Temuka Rifles.”

Major Toung then said; As one of the first officers of the old company I have the greatest pleasure in being present here this evening. lam proud to see honour given where honour is due. I have known Lieut. Findlay for many years, and am proud to have served with him. A better volunteer there could not be. There is no man in the force with a better record, and much of the success that has attended this company is due to Lieut. Findlay. As you know, he could have been a captain on more than one occasion, but he refused, and 1 who know his reasons for doing so am proud of them. I ask you to give him three hearty cheers.” These were given quite loyally. Lieutenant Fidlay, who was evidently much moved, said : Colonel Bailey, Major Young, Temuka Rifles, and Ladies and Gentlemen, 1 am sure that the token which you have now presented me has not been earned, nor have I desired the expressions of good will made to me this evening. 1 joined the corps many years ago with the full intention of doing my duty, and neither asked nor expected any reward. I looked at it that when a man joined it was his duty to make himself as efficient as possible. The first years that 1 was associated Svith the corps I served under Major Young, who then held the rank of ensign, under whom I rose to be a corporal, and subsequently a sergeant. When Mr Young went to England, I was left as sergeant-com-manding, and there was great difficulty in keeping the corps together. For some reason or other we could not get officers. The hall was not available for drills, as it was temporarily let to the Government as an immigration barracks, and there were other difficulties. On Mr Young’s return the corps succeeded in getting him to accept the captaincy, and 1 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Since that time the company has gradually prospered. For my own part I believe I have always done my duty as a volunteer, at all events I have tried to do so. As the Major has told you, I have several times been asked to take the captaincy, and 1 have declined, because I felt myself hardly capable. I went as far as 1 felt myself efficient. 1 have, I believe, got on successfully with the men, although I have occasionally had to give them “a wigging” for not attending parades. I cannot add much more except that 1 am sorry to leave the old corps. I should have liked to stay, but I found that my business work had to a certain extent killed the volunteering spirit. I hope, however, to associate with the corps as much as possible, and thank you very heartily for your valuable present, and for your expressions of goodwill to me on my retirement from the service. (Applause.)

An adjournment was then made for refreshments, after which dancing was resumed, and kept up till an early hour ou the following morning. In the course of the evening Messrs J, McCaskill and G. Barrett contributed songs. The refreshments were catered for by Mr J. McCaskill, and capital musio was furnished by Sergeant Loveus, and Mr H. Colville. Private Jenkins was a most efficient M.C. The chain and cross, which are of choice design, were procured from Mr J. Sim, of Temuka.