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

gratitude will animate the breasts of their visitors, as long as their memories serve them. After leaving "Wuvuhoe the pace was quickeued to a smart tiot, which, with short cessations, was kept up until Hikutaia was reached. Here the road becomes a more track, winding" over the dry places and crossing the swamps ou temporary fascine work laid down at the instctnee of M i jor Murray on the previous Fiiday, and paid for by the County Council. Shortly before 5 o'clock we came withm sight of the Komata (Tukukino's settlement, and here we were met by a messenger fiotn the chief desiring to know if Captain Rimciman would accept of a present of watermelons, whi«h he intended offering the men. The captain acoepted the offer with thanks, and on reaching the open land near the settlement we were met by the chief himself, who piloted the way to where the refreshment was laid out. Mr Austin intr duced Captain Runciman and the other officers to Tukukmo who explained that he was absent at the Thames when they passed through on a former occasion, but when he heard that they were to return on that day ho had hastened to receive them iv order that they mi _ht partake of refreshment in passing through. He exposed the pleasure be felt at seeing his Waikato fiiends at his place. Captain Runciraan thanked him, on behalf of the Cavalry, for his kindness, and asked the band to contribute some music. 'The band then played two or three selections in tine btyle, after which the men dismounted and partook of th.melons - n reforming, the natives, about fifty of whom were present, loudly cheered the Volunteers, and the Litter replied by giving three hearty cheers for Tukukino. The Cavalry then parsed the Komata Creek, and soon after arrived at Austiu's farm, at the Puke, where another halt was called, and Captain Runciman addressing Mr ' ustin, thanked him fnr the hospitality he had extended to thp ladies of the party on th*»ir downward trip on the steamer — he having provided tea and fruit fur their refreshment. Cheers having been given for Mr and Mrs Austin, a move was inado, the band playing as the troops filed pa.^t. The Cavalry reached Paeroa a little after six o'clock, and the horses havinir been duly fed and paddocked an adjournment was made for tea, after which the sentries were posted, and a number visited the dance which had been got up in the Hall by the residents. The affair, considering the impromptu manner in which it was got up passed off very well. On Thursday morning the Cavalry fell in at a little after 8 o'clock, and crossing the Ohinemuri river at the township, struck homewards. The Te Awamutu troop under Lieut. Rutherford went on in advance in order to cross the Waiho before the others arrived, the Cambridge Troop following, and the Hamilton Contingent bringing up the rear. The Camb.idge Troop reached the crossing at Omahu just the senior troop had successfully swam their horses, aud the advance guard of the Hamilton Contingent came up to the east bank just as we had crossed. At Campbelltown the whole body again mustered and partook of luncheon, the Te Awamutu Troop again going on in advance and the others following in the same order as before. Wood's Nottingham Castle Hotel was reached by the Cambridge men at about half -past 3 and here it was found that the Te A\vamutu troop had broken off, some remaining there for the night, while some preferred to return home the same evening. The Hamilton Contingent also remained at Wood's hotel for the night. The Cambridge Troop left Piako at 4 o'clock, and reached Cambridge end of the Victoria Road at about half -past 0, having come the whole distance iv good order. At this point several of the members broke off and returned to their homes, the remainder, including the band, marched into Cambridge. In thus concluding my account of the visit of the Cavalry to the Thames, I should be wanting in gratitude were I not to offer my warmest thanks for the extreme kindness which the members of the Cavalry, especially the officers have extended to me throughout the journey. To the Volunteers and residents of the Thames I have also to offer my acknowledgment for their courtsey on all occasions.