RETURN OF THE MASTERTON VOLUNTEERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 928, 18 November 1881, Page 2

RETURN OF THE MASTERTON VOLUNTEERS.

At eight o'clck last evening a large number of friends and spectators assembled at the Musterton Railway Station to welcome the Volunteers back. The Masterton Brass Band was in attendance, and as train swept into the station, struck "Home Sweet Home" amid the,hearty cheers;of all assembled. After the usual friendly greetings had been exchanged the Volunteers and Cadet Corps fell; in.and were inarched into town, where a second orowd still larger than the first was assembled to meet the men from the front. We were' glad to notice that one and all who took part in the, expedition looked well and hearty and were evidently all , the better for the trip. Shortly after nine

. THE SUPPER was held at Host Corbett's, where tables had been laid for over one hundred guests, Owing to the absence of so many leading Masterton ettinens at the laud sale in Wellington, there were a few vacant ohairs; but there were quite enough present to express the cordial feeling with whioh the town recognizes the; services rendered by its Volunteers;'ati'd' to do justice to the very exoollent audadmir-ably-served repast provided for the occasion, Mr J. V. Smith, in the unavoidable absence, of the Mayor through a family affliction, occupied the chair, having on his right Captain Ruck and Lieutenant Wyllie, the .vice-chairs being filled by Mr A, Bish and the Rev W. E. Paige.' After the toast of the Queen and the Governor had been duly honored, the Chairman gave that of the Army and Navy, coupled with the name of Captain Ruck. Captain Ruck who was received with plaudits, acknowledged the compli""int iii suitable terms.

The Chairman then proposed the health of tho returned volunteers. Ho did not know when during the course of his life it had given him greater pleaure to propose -a toast. Three weeks ago when wishing the volunleers Godspeed, he expressed an opinion that they would shortly be back, and was glad to see his prophecy verified, He felt almost as good a prophet as Te. Whiti himself (a laugh). Ho believed that the duty on which the volunteers had been engaged, was one of very great importance, and would be followed up by beneficial results. From .his own knowledge it had had a good effcot on the minds of the Wairawpa natives, who had previously a belief in Te "Whiti possessing supernatural powers. The financial—indeed he might say the commercial —results of the expedition were very markod. The fact. that the Government oould collect a volunteer force in the way they did and suppress a native difficulty without bloodshed, would be hailed with immense gratification in England, and he believed that the credit of the colony would be.enhanced to the extent of millions of pounds; another result was the fresh stimulus it gave to the volunteer movement of the Colony (hear I hear |) fie would like to see the New Zealand volunteer foroe modelled on the English plan. Instead of small independent corps, there should tfdß Wairnrapa regiment, the' corps froiMBM tnwii being merely companies. of regiment. He believed that if this were done and the Government increased the capitulation, so that volunteers oould be properly equipped, at the same time insisting on a higher Rtandard of efficiency, every man enrolled would have a higher respect for himself (applause). He concluded by asaurin? the men from the front, that they had rendered the colony most important and valuable seivices. He coupled with the toasts the names of Captain Ruck and Lieutenant Wyllie. The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm was responded to by Captain Ruck, who Baid he had never led a better set of men, and he took that opportunity of expressing his thanks to the officers and men for the manner in which they had discharged their duties, nnd to the citizens of Masterton for the. kindly manner in which they had sent them away and welcomed them back. If again called upon for active service, he was sure one and all would go (Cheers). ' Mr J. V. Smith proposed, in eulogistio terms, the Borough Council, coupled with the name of Mr A, Bish, who acknowledged the compliment in a suitable manner.

Mr Bentley proposed the Commercial interests, coupled with the name of Mr Murray. He also took the opportunity, as an old soldier, of -expressing a practical opinion on the Native difficulty, Mr T. H. Murray, in responding, referred to the growth of the special industry with which his partner and himself were oonnecled, He also gave an assurance that, in a few days, the public would havo facts placed before it relative to the Woollen Factory business whioh would enable Masterton, should it think proper, to embark in a new commercial enterprise. Corporal Dalrymple, in proposing the next toast, gave a humorous account of the Parihaka trip, describing how, a sham fight at Opunake after their landing invalided the captain and himself, and prevented them from marching to Parihaka. Be spoke in high terms of the captain, and of the kind and gentlemanly conduct towards the men of Lieut Wylie (Applause). He also spoke of the efficient manner in which Lieut Donald discharged his duties. Speaking of the miseries of camp life, he deolnred that one bucket and one kettle had to serve twen-ty-nine men,

The to&Bfc of tli« officers was then drank with musical honors, and responded to by Lieut. Wyllie,' who' said; the men had behaved admirably. Major Hammersly had assured him that the combined Masterton and Carterton Corps was only one against which no. been made, Above all, he desired to thank Color-Sergt. Girdlestone for the pains he took with hit work. He spoke of the good heart of this officer and theiolici* tude he had displayed for the comfort of, the men,

Captain Buck added that during the trip he never had to say an angry word against any man under .his cammand. The toast of the ladies was then drank, proposed by Lieut. Wylie, and responded tobyMrßapp. That of the Press followed, being proposed iq complimentary termß by/Mr R. G. Williams, and responded to Ay Mr Payton and Mr Smith.. • / Mr Bish then gave the health of tha non-commissioned offloors, coupled with tho names of orderly Sefgt. Girdlestona, and Sergt, Hounslow.-pieers), Sergt. Girdlestone, on rising to respond, was greeted with eitlmaiastio and prolonged cheers. When the ovation subsided, he bore testimony to the admirable manner In which Sergt. Hotmnlow and the Corporals had discharged their duties. Captain Ruok proposed, ' 1 The health f f the Eev. W. E, Paige, chaplain to the Corps," ■ ' The Rfiv. W. E. Paige, who was received with applause, said he was proud to hold the poaitipn of honorary o)iaplaia

to the Corps, There was a timo when lie scarcely felt the appointment uu lwnor, but things had not I'owiiincil as thoy wove. He congratulated the Corps on not- a single black mailt being recorded against it during the lato expedition. He would have another and'more fitting opportunity than the present one .of speaking more • He concluded by proposing; the,health of the..Committee,:whb.teul; given them the pleasure of. Volunteers on'tbiit 6ccrisiofir - " ~Mv.E, G. Williams,, tvhose CoupM wjth thotoast, ' Serjeant Bezar addressed a ■ propriate words to the Dion. They would now ho; felt approuiate. the advantages of discipline and regular attendance at drill; Ho would assist all in his. power tliD-rovival of the volunteer movement, f aud pointed to the recent formation'of the Coips at Featherston .as an indication of it. Parting bumpers wero given fur the Host and:Hoste6s- Mr aud Mrs Corbett—'with great enthusiasm; the. health of the ' Chairman beiug also druuk with musical honors. Just iit midniglit, Mr Kaisenburg, who bad assisted the harmony of the evening by his musical skill, played as tho closing w'r the National Anthem. At intervals throughout the evening, songs were givtn in happy and excellent stylo by Messrs. Coker, Bapp, Bish and Girdlestone. The programme was carried out without a single-, hitoli, and it would be difficult to point to a pleasanter or more harmonious gathering.

: A trip to the Empire City may not only be, made pleasurable bat profitable. To those wliooan combine business with pleasure, it tthst be gratifying to inspect the large stocks of seasonable Drapery and Clotting, such as can be seen only in n vast centre of population hko the City of Wellington. Visitors from the Wairarapa will find one of the largest and best selected M James Smith's TeAro Home. The stock of Clolhing for Men's, Youths', and- Boys' wear has been made to special order for Ti Aro House. All materials have been carefully selected and all styles judi-ciously-chosen. IleUcr value it Is impossible to obtain. One great speciality of Te Aro House is tho immense variety of Bqijs' and Yeuth' Clothing. Parents and Guudians Shouli 1 this fact in mind when they, visit ttwn, aud wend their way to James Smith Tc Aro House. \ . Tho Spring Fashions this season arc exceedingly pretty, varied, aud chaste. In ladies' Dim materials, Millinery, Mantles, Luc&, Ribbons, . and Sear/s tho choice is unusually large and elegant. Visitors to Wellington would do well to pay-an early visit to James Smith's Te Aro House.