SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGNERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10166, 16 February 1911, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGNERS.

annual dinner in master- ' ■■".". . ton.:, . The first annual dinner .and "rev union of the WairarapaAssociation of South African Campaigners was held in Murray's Hall, Masterton, last, evening/ , . There was. a large attendance of members from all parts of the Wairarapa. Mr G". H.; Cullen occupied the chair, and had sitting on his right, the Patron 1 , His Excellency the' Governor (Lord Islington), 'Mr* A. W. Hogg, M.P., Mr H. M. Bod-diogton.(hon»-secretary),, and on his left His Worship the Mayor- (Mr' Hf. - Mv Coradine), Captain Shannon (A.D.C.), and Mr H. H. Donald. ■ Apologies for absence were received from Sir J. G. Ward, MajorGeneral Godley, Colonel Herd, Colonels Robin, Captain Hamilton (A.D.C.), Major J; G. Hughes, 4 Surgeon-Colonel W. H. Hosking, members of Tauherenikau Camp of Instruction, Mr W! C. Buchanan, M.P., and several members of the Association. After the toast of the King had been honoured, the chairman (Mr Gi H. Cullen) proposed of,' their Patron (His Excellency the Governor). They were indeed proud to have such a distinguished gentleman with them, that evening, - and more especially as he was the heat! ; of the Association. His Excellency, like themselves, had been a soldier, Certainly none but a soldier would appreciate what it was to be a soldier, and on this account they were most fortunate in their Patron. On behalf of the Association the speaker thanked most heartily His Excellency for his attendance. Mr J. M. Coradine, Mayor, .> in -the' toast-, said he "was sorry :he could not speak,.as.a. campaigner, i)iit it gave him; great' phia*'; sure to welcome'-'-His'M Excellency; } Anyone who had had the pleasure of listening to the speech delivered by His Excellency that afternoon would long remember it, ahdj' moreover, it gave them a strong desire to know more of, him. He trusted that His Excellency would. long .remain in their midst. ■■' . His said that after the splendid cordiality of the reception accorded to him that evening it was somewhat difficult,to express'the high sense of the compliment. He very much appreciated the'kindly terms, in which the. toast had been honoured. He recognised in the wish that had been expressed that he snould be permanently domiciled here that same generous impetuosity which prevailed at the tim-aof the South African campaign. He,thanked the Mayor for his kind remarks and the kindly spirit with which he had supplemented the remarks of the chairman. It was a great pleasure to.him to spend that evening with liTs old comrades who took part iri the South African war. Ke greatly appreciated the honour, and hoped that this, his first; visit, would be by no means his last to these functions. Other toasts honoured during the evening, were "The 'Army and Navy," proposed by the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) and responded to by Captain J. C. MeKillop; ;The Cause We Celebrate," proposed by Mr P. Shinnick and responded to by Mr H. M. Boddington; "Our Guests," proposed by the chairman* and responded to by Mr'Hogg, M.P., and the Mayor; "The Chairman,"* proposed by His Excellency the Governor and responded to by Mr G. H. Cullen, ;■' , - During the evening items were contributed by Messrs H. Hall H. F. Green, P. A. Eadie, and G. C. Branson. The pianoforte accompaniments were played by Mr G. C. Branson. The catering arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr W. Wilkes.