Volunteer Dinner.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2961, 12 August 1878, Page 2

Volunteer Dinner.

WELCOME TO NEW DISTRICT COMMANDING OFFICER.

Major Murray entertained the officers of the Thames Volunteers at dinner on Saturday night, at the Gorernor Bowen Hotel, to meet Major E. Withers, the officer recently, appointed to the command of the Auckland and Thames District!.- -. Major Withers arrived by the steamer '' at an early hour on Saturday, and during the day he took over the command of the district from Major Cooper, the retiring officer, together with all documents be* longing to the department, and after* wards he had time to look round a bit, and was introduced by Major Murray to a number of' officers and citizens. Owing to the shortness of Major Withers' stay (he had to return to Auckland by steamer at 8 o'clock on Saturday night), the dinner was almost an impromptu affair, but it reflected great credit on Host Symington island the resources of his establishment. The viands and wines were excellent in quantity and quality. Major Murray presided, and on his right were seated Major Withers and Hon. Surgeon Kilgour; on the left, Mr Sub-Inßpector Bullen, A.C.; Captain J. E. Macdonald occupied the Vice-Chair, and there were also presentCaptain Fraser, R.M. and Warden; Mr Wm. Davies, Chairman .Thames Harbor Board; Mr Wm. Carpenter, Chairman_ Parawai Highway Board; Messrs John Brown, W. Wilkinson, J. Hopcraft and W. McCullough; and following officers: —Thames Naval Brigade, Captain Wild' man, Lieutenant! Bennett and Lawleir; Thames Scottish No. I, Lieutenants Jounstone and Dey; No. 2, Lieutenants J. Watson, G. McVey and Cameron; Hauraki Engineers, Captain Small, Lieutenants Barlow and Denby; Thames Rifle Bangers, Captain; Farrell, Lieutenants Carnie and Hunter; Native Volunteers, Captain Taipari, Lieutenants Raika Whakarongatai and Matiu Poona; Captain Schofiold, N.Z.M.; Captain Mennie, T.S. Cadets.

The first toast was that of "Her Majesty the Queen," proposed by the Chairmain and duly honored; (Before pro* posing the toast the Chairman stated that he had received an apology for the ab* sence of Major Cooper through indisposition.) , - Mr Warden Fraser proposed "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," and in doing so referred to the establishment of peace ia Europe, and ex* pressed the hops that at some time during the next two years the Prince of Walei would pay a visit to the Colonies, in which case ho (the speaker) was sure that the Volunteers would give His JEtoyal High* ness a hearty reception. The toast was received in the usual loyal manner. The Vice-Chairman proposed "His Excellency the Governor," which wai also received with marked cordiality/ \ The next toast was " The Army, Nayy v Volunteers and Colonial Forces," pro* posed by Mr. McCullough; in doing which the proposer said it was only necessary to give the toast to secure a hearty reception for it. All Englishmen were proud of the Army and Navy, and proud of the old flag. During the recent trouble in Europe, and for some time before during - a time of peace, a portion of the English Press had railed at the Army and Navy, but recent events had- induced the Euro* pean Powers to form such an estimate of the Army and Navy as increased their pride in-the forces. The Volunteers had in many cases shown that they were not behind the regular army in their willingness to fight, as was shown by the spontaneous offers of service by the Canadian volunteers. New Zealand volunteers had had occasion to show the mettle they were made of, and would be ready again when required. The Colonial Forces, some officers of which were present, had shown themselves able and determined in the past, and would do so again if called upon. The toast was drunk with cheers and musical honors.

Major Withers (who was received with applause) said he felt it a great honor.to return thanks for the Army of Great Britain, which had achieved such won* drous works in the past, and he could also testify to the bravery of the Colonial , Forces from personal observation, in the field..

Mr Sub-Inspectors Bullea returned thanks for the branch of the ssrsice to which he had the honor to belong—the v Armed Constabulary. Captain Wildman returned thanks for the Navy, though he could hardly say why he had been called upon to do so. However, he would take the opportunity of saying that as a volunteer officer he was very glad to be present to meet their new Commanding Officer, and he hoped lie would infuse additional energy into the * Volunteers of. the Thames, although he scarcely thought .that was possible or much required. ... . -'<*". Captain Farrell returned thanks for the Volunteers, in which branch of the ser- 1 vice he had had sixteen years' experience at Auckland and Thames. He hoped their services would entitle them to further encouragement at the hands'of the Government.

Lieut. Baika Whakarongatai, Native Volunteers, returned thanks in Maori for his corps, his speech, as interpreted by Lieutenant McVey, No. 2 Thames Scot* tish, being to the effect that he and his brother Officers were glad to be present at the invitation of Major Murray to welcome Major Withers. He hoped the European and, Native "Voluntaers would continue to act cordially together,- and also that the two races would lire in friendship and ultimately grow up into one tree. . ■ "

The Chairman said he had Tery great pleasure in proposing "The Health of their Guest—Major Withers, their new Commanding Officer." In doing so he would take the opportunity of expressing his regret at the changes that had been necessitated by th» Government scheme of economy in one or. two places in the North Island. He was -sure that Major Withers would like him to state that in Major Cooper they had had as good a Commanding Officer as they could hare wished. Major Cooper had always shown, a willingness to forward the interests of his (Major Murray's) company, and any suggestions for their advancement had been received and acted upon if in his (Major Cooper's) power. Ho (the Chairman) believed Major Cooper had evinced the same anxiety in regard to other companies, so that they could not but regret that the changes he had referred to had been rendered necessary. In proposing the health of Major Withers he would not Attempt

to say much about that officer, who would expect them all to carry out their duties faithfully—to " toe the mark ; " and he was quite sure all his .brother officers would try to do that when thoy had an officer who could appreciate it. Major Withers came to them with the highest recommendations. He was strict in regard to drill, and just in his discharge of duty. Major Withers had also been highly esteemed amongst his fellow settlers. He (the Chairman) was sure that all would join him in offering Major Withers a hearty welcome, and he would call upon them to drink his health in bumpers. The toast was most cordially received with full honors. Major Withers, in returning thanks, ■aid he could not say how pleased he was to hear the encomium that had been paised on Major Cooper, and how well he had been appreciated. He wafs sorry that Major Cooper had lost his command, but the changes were due to circumstances over which he (the speaker) had no control. He was glad to find himself so cordially received in his new sphere jjpt' duty. He had heard a great deal of the Thames Volunteers, and his brief experience of them would, he thought, warrant him in believing that his expectations would be fully realised. In his position of Commanding Officer he had never gone outside the Volunteer Regulations, And he did not think he ever should. He thanked them most heartily for their welcome, and he would not forget that evening an.long as he lived. (Cheers.) Mr Hopcraft proposed "The Local Governing Bodies, coupled with the Mayor, County Chairman, Chairman of the Parawai Highway Board and Chairman Thames Harbor Board." He said that they were all confident the Local Bodies would do all that-they could-to foster and encourage the Volunteer service. The Harbor Board, to whom application, had recently been made for a foreshore reserve as a volunteer parade, had met the application in a good spirit, and when that had been granted no doubt the other local bodies would render assistance towards its reclamation.

The toast waswell received.

The. Mayor said that so far as any exertions on the part of the Borough were needed to render the Volunteers more effective, they would not be wanting. The Vice-Chairman, in, the absence of the County Chairman or other representative, said that as counsel for the County more or lobs learned, he could pledge the Gounty to do as much as had been promised by the Mayor. The Chairman said he might mention that they were already under obligations to the Harbor Board for granting the foreshore reserve, and to the County Council for improving the approaches to the Rifle Range. Mr Carpenter, Chairman Parawai Highway Board, in returning thanks for that body, said he was very sorry they were riot able to boast of having done anything for the Volunteers, but he could promise they would do so when' it lay in their power. In prosecuting necessary works, however, they could do so in a sense of security because of the existence of the Volunteers. He did not think the Volunteers had been very well treated in the past, but hoped they would receive more justice in the future from the Government.

Mr* Wm. Dayies, Chairman Harbor Board, returned thanks for that body, which, he said, had just emerged from what had been termed the chrysalis state. That they had been able to commence work at all was mainly due to the Chairman; but perhaps it was policy on his part, as if he helped the Harbor Board the latter might some time assist the Bank. He (the speaker) hoped the difficulties under which they had labored would soon be altogether -removed, and that their achievements would be equal to their intentions. He might say that they were working well with the other Local Bodies, and would do all they could to assist the Volunteers, as they had lately tried to do in the matter of the reserve on the foreshore. "

Lieutenant McVey said the toast he had to propose was one which was always received with enthusiasm : it was the " Health of Captain Fraser, Warden and Resident Magistrate." He (Mr McVey) could only use the stereotyped phrase and say he wished the toast had been placed in abler hands ; but to say all that could be said in propbsing'the toast would only be to repeat what had- been said over and over again. He would therefore call upon them-to drink the health of Warden Fraser. "V

The toast was drunk with cheers and roeal honors. ,

Captain Fraser returned thanks.. He said he had been some time in his present position and. might have guilty of great «rrprs, but the Thames people were forgiving, and judged him by his intentions, not by results. He* thanked them for the manner they had received the toast of his health.

" The Press " was proposed by Captain ! Wildman, and responded to by Messrs jjlM^ilkinson, J. Hopcraft and W. " The Ladies," proposed by , Lieut. Cameron, was acknowledged by Lieutenant Bennett. . : The Vice Chairman then proposed "Our Host—Major Murray." He said he was sure they would all drink it most heartily, noit only on account of Major Murray's personal merits, but on account of his long connection with the Volunteers and his recently acquired honors. (Cheers.)

The toast, it is needless to say, was drunk with enthusiasm.

Major Murray returned thanks for the way the toast of his health was proposed and received. It bad ever been his aim, he said, in whatever position he was placed, to do his duty, and he would con-" tinue to do so. He would, as the last toast, ask the company' to drink the health of Quarter-Master Sergeant Symington and Mrs Symington, who-had prepared the spread that evening at very short notice and personal inconvenience to themselves and their boarders.

This toast was cordially received, and the company dispersed, the officers and others taking leave of Major Withers, but some of the former accompanying him to the steamer by which he returned to Auckland.