THE RETURN OF THE THAMES SHOOTISTS.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5054, 25 March 1885, Page 2

THE RETURN OF THE THAMES SHOOTISTS.

Enthusiastic Welcome Last

Nigta,

Long before the time at which Lieut. Lucas, Eifle Champion, and other Thames representatives at the Association Meet* ing, were expected to land last night, Goods' Wharf and approaches were thronged with people, all eager to do honor to the men who had so well upheld that of the district. The Naval Artillery (under Capt. Wild man), Rifle £angers (in command of Oapt. Douglas), and the Grahanislown and Shortland Firo Bri. gftdea, under Superintendents Price and West respectively, mustered at the Naval Hall about 7.30, and an hour later marched in procession to the end of the wharf, to await the arrival of the Pearl, which was expected to reach Grahamstown #bout 9 o'clock. The general public were wisely kept to the solid portion of the wharf, several members of the police

being detailed to guard the approaches to the outer portion. The .Pearl left Auckland about 1.30 yesterday afternoon, end would have arrired to time had not. (he wirid, which was blowing strongly from the southward, detained her. After watching for nearly an hour, the Teasel's lights were' seen, and shortly after 10 o'clock she steamed alongside, the Naval Band playing " See the' Conquering Hero comes," and " Home, Sweet Home." Gunner Par slow (who had arrived by the Rotomabana) here joined his comrades, and having donned his uniform and decorations, the representatives climbed on to the wharf. Lucas and Downie were. at once shouldered by the Bangers, and two Naval s treated their old comrade Parslow similarly. The Bangers, Navals, and the Fire Brigades were drawn up into line, and Capt. Douglas having addressed a few words of hearty welcome ** to the meo, three cheers were. given for them, and the procession was once more formed and marched up the wharf, the band enlivening the mareb, the torches and colored fire throwing a lurid light over the ecene. Cheering was resumed when the bulk of the crowd was reached, and the enthusiasm of themulti* tade appeared to have been in no way damped by the long delay. *0n reaching the shore end of the wharf, the Champions and Vol. Downie, with Cr Kilgour, County Chairman Brodie, and Mr Warden Kenrick, entered one~~^f Phillips 1 cabs (drawn by four howes). and still headed by the band, followed by the other representatives (Vols. Thomas, Hawk, Newdick, Injrlis, and Paterson, and Gunner. Weir) and thronged by the crowd, the line of march was pursued to the Bank Corner. . The vantage points' of the Stock Exchange Buildings, Pacific and Wharf Hotels, and Bank of New Zealand, were thronged with spectators (men, women, and children), who also gathered in a mass around the carriage. Comparative silenco having been obtained.

Cr Kilgour said that be had been requested (in the absence of His Worship the Mayor) to offer to Lieut. Lucas and bis companions, and also .to Gunner Parslow, on behalf of the inhabitants of i the Thames, warm congratulations, and a hearty welcome back to the Thames. A long speech would be out of placej btt he i could not let the opportunity pass by i without pointing out.the difficulties under 1 which this great victory had to be won. i He then referred to the disadvantages binder which goldfields' companies labored , owing to the regulations enforcing an attendance of two-thirds of their strength at each parade. This made it almost impossible for the capitation grants to be obtained. The men had also had to pay I all their own expenses 'on the trip, but I notwithstanding this, and at considerable personal sacrifice, they had* gone. True, i the trip had proved a financial succeu, ! but this could only be looked upon as an i accidental circumstance, as such a result could not be foreseen. -He. congratulated all who had won money on their success, but this fact did not mend the existing state^ of affairs in" the least." He again congratulated the representatives on the manner in which they had upheld the reputation of the Thames—won years ago when volunteering was not beset by the difficulties it now was—and called for three cheer 3 for the returning men, which were heartily given. . • Mr Brodie, oa behalf of the County residents, tendered the representatives his sincere congratulations on the eminent success they had achieved, and heartily welcomed^, them back. The progress of the meeting had been watched with considerable interest, and,all were gratified and proud of the position won by the Thames men. He would not detain them any longer, but would call for three cheers for the returning men, and' including the volunteers of the district. . , .

These were heartily given, and oriel were then raised for "Lucas." In response the Champion, who was greeted with renewed cheering .on rising, thanked the volunteers and the public for the reception accorded to himself and fellow-represen-tatives. They had not expected anything like this. The reception in Auckland had been a grand one, but it was nothing to that at the Thames. They had expected to be met by their fellow volunteers, but were surprised to see nearly all the general public turn out to welcome them. Gunner Parslow and Vol. Downie. on being clamoured for, rery briefly returned thanks for the hearty welcome, and Capt. Douglas then expressed, on behalf of the Volunteers, the appreciation felt, at the manner in which the public had welcomed the representatives, and in response to his call, the volunteers and representatives gave three cheers for the public. r ~" The march to Shortland war then re« sumed, the crowd still keeping up with ' the procession. On reaching Bait's corner,

Mr Kenrick rose and said he was proud to bare been permitted to; take part in such a reception as had that night beeu given to the. representatives, la this term he included Gunner Parslow, for the dig* trict in which a man sowed kit wild oats had more claim to him than the one where he went to sell them.. The men bad rea« son to be proud of the laurels they had wrested from men who had fought hard' for them, and they had been well and honestly won:' Tho number of small wars in which England \ had been engaged during the pait few years had taught the nation the value of;itraight shooting, and there was no knowing how soon the war clouds now gathering might break. Perhaps they would burst sooner than was expected, and every man~ whether red or black coat—be called-#oon (o strike a blow for the freedom of his country. Should such a thing happen, he had no doubt the Thames men would ! shoot as straight as ever, erea if the target were a Russian .soldier with a breech.loader"in his bands. (Cheers). The procession" then returned to Grahamstown, it being past midnight when the Naval Hall was reached, and the men dismissed. Lucas was carried shoulder high from the Bank Corner to his home, and Ot.pt. Douglas proceeded to the Naval Hall and thanked the bandsmen and Brigade members for the part they had taken in the night's proceedings.. The Champions during the demonstratlPn "°*e I o*"' belt* «nd other deeoratioot. and Vol. Downie was also adorned with the Association silver star. , > Some surprise has been manifested* at vol. Paterson'a name not appearing among the telegraphed lists of shooters. Ine reason, it now appears, was owing to his being disqualified early in the «om« petition, for firing when the danger signal was hung out, though ordered to do so by the officer in charge. ~ '

Smart work, London to Edinburgh in 3 days. . This was on a tricycle. ThU was surpaised again bja^icyolislwlwdidthi 400 mil* ii 2 days 9 hours. *