COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO COL. WHITMORE IN AUCKLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1017, 22 April 1869, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO COL. WHITMORE IN AUCKLAND.

On April 14 a number of the leading citizens of Auckland entertained Colonel Whitmore at the Auckland Club. The proceedings were entirely of an unpolitical character ; but it had been felt that Colonel Whitmore’s individual services, as well as the services of the forces under his command, seemed to call for some recognition at the hands of the Auckland public. About forty gentlemen sat down to dinner, which was served up in a very excellent manner by Mr. Charles Canning of the Club-house. The tables were decorated in a most tasteful manner. Frederick Whitaker, Esq., occupied the chair, supported on the right by Colonel Whitmore, the guest of the evening, and on the left by Colonel Elliot, commanding her Majesty’s forces in New Zealand. In the vice-chair was J. C. Firth, Esq., supported on the right by the Hon. Dr Pollen, and on the left by Captain Swindley, A.D.C. to Colonel Whitmore. The table having been cleared, and the usual loyal and patriotic toasts duly honoured, the Chairman proposed in eulogistic terms the health of Colonel Whitmore. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Colonel Whitmore on rising to respond was received with cheers. He said : Mr Chairman and gentlemen, [I feel to-night that you have done me a very great honour, besides, I feel that you have also done honour to the forces which I represent tonight. I also feel that you have done me a very great personal kindness in the compliment which has been paid to me by this demonstration. (Cheers.) We have tried a novel experiment—we have for the last twelve months —I may say within the last nine months —tried how far we are able to depend upon our own resources for our defence, though we have had the example before in the field of the great countenance and assistance of her Majesty’s troops. (Cheers.) For the first time colonial soldiers, and very young colonial soldiers, have had both to keep the garrison arid take the field against the enemy without that succour and support to which they had been accustomed. (Cheers.) Well, sir, I felt at first, and I believe it is capable of demonstration, that Englishmen have never yet taken the field but they have been defeated at the outset. (Cheers.) It is a peculiarity of our race that the further they oo and the more they are beaten the better they rise out of their difficulties—(cheers) — and the stronger and more determined do they put their shouider to the wheel, till they ride over those difficulties as they have in every part of the world. (Cheers.) Sir, whether it be that the system is wrong or whether it be that the country is unknown, or that our allies are treacherous, or to whatever cause it may be attributed, in every part of the w y orld ,British armies have floundered at first until they have risen with their difficulties—called up their energies, and have come triumphantly out of their difficulties. (Loud cheers. ) Because I acciden tally did not happen to chime in with certain political opinions, or happened to serve a Government which did not exactly suit certain political opinions, 1 have been the object of severe criticism—if I may say criticism. At a place in which I have served I have been the object of much criticism —as ignorant as military criticism can be —criticisms based upon utterly wrong facts. I have been criticised by people who were utterly deficient in military knowledge, and who made assertions without taking any trouble whatever to inform themselves. Finding that I was exposed to this sort of thing I was determined, sir, to afford every facility to the press, and I gave encouragement in every possible way to gentlemen connected with newspapers to come and see the facts for themselves. They did not take advantage of those facilities, except in one solitary occasion—they did not take any ti’ouble to iuform themselves. Under these circumstances I do think [ have reason to complain of mistatements and charges founded upon wrong arguments and wrong facts. The proceedings concluded about eleven o’clock, and shortly afterwards Colonel Whitmore took his departure for the East Coast.