THE EASTER REVIEW AT THE THAMES. (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1211, 3 April 1880, Page 2

THE EASTER REVIEW AT THE THAMES. (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER. )

In my telegram from Grahamstown on Wednesday, I adverted briefly to the entertainments provided for the Waikato visitors subsequent to the review, and of these it now becomes my duty to de il at greater length. The Review itself was as I have already intimated a grand display, and served to exhibit not only the soldierly qualities of our own fine body of Cavalry, but to demonstrate that at the Thames they have some of the best volunteers in this, or any other country. Their steadiness and precision were no less remarkable and remarked in withstanding the terrible charges of the Cavalry than in the march past. While the Volunteers were mustering for the review in the morning, a large war canoe, manned by about 40 natives was observed standing in towards Grahamstown, and when the order for marching was given, it altered its course toTararu, keeping just offshore and abreast with the troops, who trom time to time they cheered heartily. On arriving at the Esplanade at Tararu the crew landed and remained near the beach watching- the manoeuvres with great interest. After lunch they obtained permission to execute a war dance, and for this purpose the Volunteers were drawn up in square, and the performance was gone through in the middle, much to the enjoyment of the numerous crowd of spectators. The natives then executed a " welcome dance," and the chiefs made speeches indicative of their pleasure to meeting the " Waikato Pakeha/' ending with giving them three hearty cheers, which the Cavalry ju-<t as heartily returned. The Auckland Artillery and the Thames Navals went through some gun exercise in the smartest possible manner, calling forth load applause from their brethren in arms at the conclusion of each successive feat, and shortly afterwards the Cavalry remounted and performed the sword exercise at the walk in very good style, and thus the day's proceedings were brought to a close. Colonel Lyon then addressed the assembled Cavalry, complementing them on the manner in which they had carried out their portion of the programme, more especially praising the oharging. Turning to the Artillery and the local Volunteers he 'expressed himself in similar term*, and said ho was greatly pleased to see that during the paat year they had improved in their drill. Next year he hoped to see still further improvement if that were possible. A return was then made to Grahamstown, where the troops were dismissed. THE OFPICEES' MESS. In the evening the officers of the Tariou.* companies and troops sat down to dinner at the Governor Bowen Hotel. The catering, in the hands of Mr Symington, was everything that could be desired, and a number of men from the different companies were told off to do duty as attendants. The chair was occupied by the offi er commanding the Thames Volunteers, Major Murray, supported on his right by Colonel Lyon, Captains Wildman and Runciman, and on his left by Major Jackson, the Mayor, and others. The vice-chair was occupied by Captain Small, of the Hauraki Engineers. Nearly all the officers of the various companies were preseut, as well as the chaplain and surgeon of the Scottish Battalion (Rev. S. J. Neill and Dr Callan), and a number of other guests. The cloth having been removed, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were pro. posed and enthusiastically honored. " The Army, Navy, and Colonial Forces" was proposed by Capt. Wildman, and duly responded to by Colonel Lyon, Lieut. Gavin (Navals), and Capt. Kenny (A.C.) The Chairman then proposed "The Health of Colonel Lyon," whom he almost claimed as one of themselves, seeing he was the'r inspecting officer, and that a number of the Thames people had served under him. Colonel Lyon was a brave and efficient officer, and a gentleman whom they all esteemed for his many excellent qualities. The toast was drunk with musical honors and three times three, additional cheers being given for Mrs Lyon and family. Colonel Lyon, in responding, said his friend the Chairman had, in colonial phraseology, been " laying it on too thick." He had tried to stop him by kicking 1 him under the table, but it was of no use. He felt glad that the review had passed off so successfully, without a hitch of any kind. The Thames men had preatly improved, as also had their bands, from which they had derived the greatest assistance. The music he did not rem jtnber to have been excelled on any similar occasion. The Auckland Artillery had handled their guns splendidly, and well deserved the title of the "Al Batterr." (Captain Payne : " A Baitery, only.")" It mattered not which it was ; they were certainly an Al battery, and went through their evolutions in. a manner worthy of Woolwich. (Applause). He thanked them very much for the kind manner in which his health had been drunk, and before he sat down he would ask the visitors to drink "The Health of the Mayor and Citizens of the Thames." The kindnens the Waikato people had received could n:>t be adequately acknowledged in words. This was the third time he had had occasion to visit the Thames on duty, and each time the treatment he received had been more cordial than the last. The toast was heartily drunk, and three cheers were given for the Mayor and Mayoress. His Worship the Mayor responded. He said it was one of the princip il objects of the Thames people to bring 1 the two districts — Thames and Waikato— in closer union, and they had therefore looked forward with feelings of groat pleasure to the vi-»it of the Cavalry, and had been no less pleased with the evidences of ffood horsemanship and soldierly bearing which their visitors had that day shown them. The Auckland Artillery had also done well, and had proved themselves to be a smart lot of fellows. He hoped the importance of a railway to liuk the two district-, together had vow been amply demonstrated, and trusted all woujd unite iv bviugjug about

the acoompishment of the work. He thanked them very much for the honor done him in drinking his health. Captain Watson proposed " The Waikato Cavalry ani Auckland Artillery," and in so doing Said it was not his wi»h to flatter them, but he telt bound to say they were each masters of their work. Although the Cavalry had been repulsed, they had done their work with the greatest credit to themselves. (Laughter.) The toa>t was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm. Major Jackson said they had certainly been ali tie flattered. Captain Watson had said they had been repulsed. So th^y h?,d ; but had the battle been real he did not think they would have charged at ill. However, they would have done » heir duty if they had left the rao-»t of their men on the fi Id. lie thanked the Thames people, on behalf of the v'avalry, very nuch for the kindness which had been shown them, and referred to the excellent stable accommodation which had been provided. It had been hinted that f-he men were diasatihfied witn the stabling, but he could assure them that .such wa*» not the case. Some liti c inconvenience had been fe't because a number of the men were quartered in ShortUnd, whilo their horses were a mile away in ' irahamstown, but this had been rectified, md if he heard any further complaints he would supply the ineu with the cheapest kind of stable which he knew of ; and that was a tether rope, and a mallet, and peg. He quite agreed with tho spirit of the Mayor's remarks, about cementing the union of the two districts. The Waikato iould supply them with plenty of grain, tnd was quite prepared to take as much yfold as they could give them. (Laughter.) Before he returned home he would taks "he opportunity of inspecting some of heir mines and batteries, and especially the "big pump." Captain Runciman and Lieutenant /ohnston" also responded, and expressed rheir thanks for the very handsome treatnent they had met with at the hands of cheir hosts. Captain Payne ai*<o responded on behalf of the Auckland Artillery. Capt. Farrell proposed the health of vlr Brodie, the chairman of the Thames Oonnty Council, and referred in happy fc j rms to the interest which Mr Broctie had always taken in Volunteering matters. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr Brodie, in responding, referred to the road between Thames and Waikato, And expressed a hope that henceforward it would be open. As an earnest that a new departure was about to be made he night tell them that he had that day .eceived a telegram from the Government asking him what sort of a road the ouucil could make to Ohinemun for the mm of £3,000. Those present might be issured that he lost no time in replying. ( heers.) He thanked them very much for drinking his health so heartily. Capt. JRunciman proposed the health of Major Murray, and spoke in warmest terms in praise of his many good qualities both as a gentleman and a VolunteerHe was sure that the whole volunteer, system of the colony owed much of its efficiency to Major Murray, who was never weary of working for the caube. (Applause.) The toast was drunk in bumpers with musical honors, and Major Murray briefly responded. "The Press" was proposed by Lieut. Denby, who said he was please . to see that the Waikato Times had sent a special representative to be present at the Iteview. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr S. E. Smith. The toast was duly honored and responded to. The toast of " The Ladies" and "The Host and Hostess" having been duly proposed and responded t >, the company '»roke up. NON- COMMISSIONED OFFICER'S MESS. The non-commissioned oihcers of the visiting Troops and Battery were entertained by their brethem of the Thames Volunteer Companies at mess, in ;he Sav<il Hall, on Monday evening. Over seventy — including the member-* of the ambridge band —sat down to au excellent •ollation, which was thoroughly enjoyed. The chair was occupied by Quarter Master Sergeant Kawdon, the vice being occupied by Paymaster Potts. The usinl, loyal, and patriotic to « tits were drunk with due honors, two or three Hongs being interspersed. As one of those who responded to the toast of " The Vrmy Navy and Volunteers, " Sergeantviajur Higginson, of the Te Awamutu Troop, spoke in the wannest terms of the reception accor Jed to the Waikito visitors, and the subsequent friendly treatment which they had received. If the Thames Volunteers again visited the Waikato they might rely on being well treated. After a couple of songs, Sergeant Wilson, T.S.V., proposed the health of their visitors " The Waikato [ Oavalry, and the uckland Artillery." Tho as->istanee of those bodies had made the review a .splendid success. Sergt. Alwill, of the Cambridge Cavalry, responded, and paid a high compliment to the Thames people for the manner in which they had treated the visitors. He also could assure them that the Waikato people would do their best to give a similar welcome to the I names Volunteers on their next visit. Then followed the toasts of "The I names Volunteers," proposed by Sergt. - Major Higginson : ' ' The Native Volunteers, " proposed by the Chairm in ; " The Commercial and Mining Interests," and "The Ladies" Oul. Lyon, Mafor Murray, Capt. Runciman, Capt. Wildman, the Mayor, and several others, here entered the Hall, and were heartly greeted. Colonel Lyon again thanked the whole of the Volunteers tor the m inner in which the review had been conducted, an well as for the hearfcy treatment he had experienced at their hands. Major Murray and others al->o addressed the assemblage, and the Colonel's health was then druuk in bumpers. Thetoastsof •' Trumpeter Parr, C.C. V.," and " The Chairman," haviug been duly proposed and honored, the proceedings terminated. COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT. On Monday evening a number of the visitors attended at a concert in the Academy of Music, given on behalf of Bandmaster Hunter, of the Thames Scottish. The attendance was very large, and an excellent programme was gone through. After the concert, the hall was cleared for dancing, which the visitors entered into with spirit, and kept up for several hour?.