The Dinner.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1293, 12 October 1880, Page 2

The Dinner.

The dinner given by the Cambridge troop to their visitors came oil' in the Criterion Hotel at 6.30 p.m. The table was well supplied with all the delicacies of the season, and fully sustained the excellent reputation which Mr. Hewitt has secured as a public caterer. Including the members of the three competing teams, about 23 sat down to dinner, the chair being taken by the officer commanding the \\ aikato Cavahy, Major Jackson, having on his light Col. Lyon, and on his left Capt, Rutherford. The vice-chair was occupied by Capt. liuncimau, supported on Ins right by Lieut. Johnson. The airangeinents had been ably earned out by Corporal Foriest, secretaiy of the Dinner committee. After doing full justice to the many good things pro\ided. The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts followed by that of " The two Houses of Pailiament "' coupled with the name of Mr. J. P. Campbell. Mr. Campbell in responding said he was sorry that somebody moie fitting, in the person of their member was not present to respond. No doubt had it been possible he would have attended. He had been present at the Banquet givan to the hon. gentleman the pivwous night and could say that he was well pleased with what he lrid heard. The " Army and Xavj r " was proposed by the Vice-chairman, and responded to by Col. Lyon. The Chairman then proposed theh?alth of the competitors coupled with the names of the highest scorers. It hud given him much pleasure to be present at the match, which he was .sure would be productive of much good both from a volunteering and from a social poinb of "view. Ho hoped that notwithstanding the great reduction in the pay of volunteers they would not give up thp movement. If the} r could .spare the time theio would bo no other expen>e. Regarding the shooting, what, he had seen that day was better than that at Te Awamutu and he oulv hoped that they would go on improving at the same rate (Hoar hear.) The weather was ceitaiuJy bad, but then the competitors had it -ill alike aud no advantage could be laid to that score. The result of the days shooting was. <- 0 re . dnce the majority which Te Awaruutu had over Cambridge from five to ono, and between these teams the content was sure to be a very clo«e one. Hamilton he was sorry to sec so far in the l/aekground. Perhaps their time would come next when they were on their own r.ingc. The toast was drank with honors. Lieut. Bruce and Corporal Macfailane briflny acknowledged the honor. Lieut. Fisher i^ropo^ed "The -\isitois coupled with the name-; of Capfc. Rutherford as a volunteer, and Mr J. P. Campbell as a civilian. C.ipt. Ilut.hcrford refunded thauking the Cambridge Troop for tho manner in which they had treated their visitor^ and expressing the pleasure he felt in being present at tho contests Mr .1. P. Campbell also returned thanks. It gave him the more pleasure to be among them because he was one of those who had established the Cambridge Troop and coming amongst them was like visiting old friends, isomeof the pleasautcst hours of his life had been passed in the Troop and he or.ly regietted that the new daties which he had undertaken pre« vented his still remaining among them. (Hear, hear.) Col. Lyon proposed the health of the Cavalry drill instructor Sergt. Major Carley. They all knew his ability and what pains he took to make them efficient. To his mind he took too much pains and did not give the officers enough to do. However, those gentlemen would have to do, a little more next drill, as it would be his (the speaker's) duty to pass them. He thought the members of the Cavalry ought to be proud to have so distinguished a soldier as Sergt. Major Carley to drill [ them. His gallantry was proved by the four medals which he bore (Applause.) Sergeant-Major Carley responded. He hoped that the officers would strive to make them&ehcs efficient by the time they were called on for examination. An hour or two devoted to learning their duties would not make any great demands upon them. He also expressed a hope that the system of holding carbine contests would be kept uy. Nothing would so much conduce to advance volunteering as those institutions. (Hear hoar. ) Mr J. P. Cavnpboll in ;m amusing speech proposed " The Ladies," to. which Corporal Foiresfc responded in very happy terms. Before sitting down he proposed "The Host aud Hostess." Mr Hewitt had been unavoidably called away to Auckland, that morning, but be had left instructions regarding the (tinner which had been ably carried out by his.

manage*, Mr J. P. Thompson, and he thought they would agree with him that the spread could hardly be surpassed. (Hear hear.) The toast was drunk with musical honours. Mr J. P. Thompson responded, and intimated that he had that afternoon received a telegram from Mr Hewitt telling him to shout champagne if Cambridge topped the score. (Applause.) Sub-Lieutenant Kirkwood then proposed "The Visiting Teams." Lieutenant Johnson responded, and spoke in praise of the system of competitions which they had established, and said they should use their utmost endeavours to keep them up. He would like to see an effort made to secure a District Cup or a Challenge Belt. The public ought to take those matters np. In other places, notably the Thames, the volunteers received great encouragement from the public, and owed much of their efficiency to the favour with which the movement was regarded outside their ranks. .Such, matters were much neglected in the Waikato ; biit it ought to be more widely known, that if volunteers are to be efficient, the cause must be popular with the people. They should als>o endeavour to the fairer portion of humanity over to win their side, and get them to offer a Ladies, Prize. Soldiering was never successful unless the ladies took an interest in it. (Applause.) The toast of " The Presp," proposed by Corporal Hicks, and responded to by Mr S. E. G. Smith and Mr Campbell, brought the proceedings to a close j and an adjournment was then made to