The Reception of the Champion.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4334, 21 November 1882, Page 2

The Reception of the Champion.

(FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Auckland, This day.

Tho reception of Gordon was most enthusiastic, A large gathering of people waited on the wharf till 11 p.m.,. and there being no sign of the steamer then the crowd departed. Shortly afterwards, however, the Rotorua waa seen rounding the North Head, and. reached Queen street wharf about twelve o'clock. On landing, the volunteer representatives were loudly cheered. Gordon was carried up the wharf on a gun carriage, the Hobson Co.'s and Naval Brigade bands playing appropriate music. Dinner was provided at McKeown's Cafe, wharf. Gordon was parried shoulder high from, the gun carriage to the cafe. Between qQ and 60 volunteers, representing the Auckland and Thames volunteers, were present. Captain Payne occupied the chair.

Captain Wildman, in responding for Gordon, said he had b,een in Auckland during the last fortnight, and had received most hearty congratulations on an officer of his brigade hating wpq the caybine belt. He was proud of Gordon having won the belt three times, and of the company having won it five times. He was proud also of the way in which the Thames Volunteers bad conducted themselves while at Dunedin. With regard to tUe »ew roluuteer

regulations and the manner in which they affected volunteers in the Thames district, and his own company especially, he feared that the present was the last occasion on which they would send representatives to compete at any volunteer competition in New Zealand. He believed that the regulations would have the effect, unless some concessions were allowed, of '•wiping them clean out." He had interviewed the Defence Minister and laid the matter before him and asked for concessions, but he was told that his application would' be considered,^ nnd they knew what t?. ai. meant. He knew perfectly well that v Jforaiity in regulations was to be the oiv.er of the day, and he was sure the :-<n .lations would not do for the Thames r.iifti other places. As' to Lieutenant Gordon he was a thoroughly good officer and good fellow, and never hesitated to assist his comrades when necessary.

Mr Cooper in responding for the Auck land representatives said that they had not fair play. All the Thames men agree in stating that Dunedin is a miserable hole, and that the people treated them badly. There were only twelve civilians at the citizens ball given in thsir honor and actually Gordon sat for over an hour before being introduced to a partner.

Parslow is in great form and says he was not the least bit seasick.