Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 26/07/1901
Number issued: 2 or 3
Gold pendant, to:
Presentation made by the Mayor (Mr T.K. Sidey), in the Caversham hall.
THE RETURNED TROOPERS
TROOPER MOORE'S RECEPTION.
The residents of Caversham gave a public welcome last night to Trooper J.G.H. MOORE (son of Mr W.J. Moore), one of the Caversham representatives in the Fourth Contingent who returned by the Tagus. The hall was prettily decorated and there was a large attendance. The mayor (Mr T.K. Sidey) presided, and seats on the platform were also occupied by the Rev. D. Dutton, Captain Easther, Mr W.G.P. O’Callaghan, Captain Loasby, Trooper RIDDELL, Messrs T. Cole, J.F.M. Fraser, J.R. Thornton, and three Imperial veterans in Messrs Macfarlane, Schofield, and Yates. A number of volunteers and troopers were also present, the Caversham Rifles being represented not only by their captain but by Lieutenants Smith and Hume and a fair proportion of non-coms and privates. Mr A. Morrison. M.H.R., sent an apology, in the course of which he wrote from Wellington: “I am extremely sorry that one of the lads whom we equipped lost his life. But it was in doing his duty. Can a man do more than give up his life for his county's good? Trooper SORENSON’s name will be inscribed on the roll of heroes who have sacrificed their lives for their country. If my health had been good I would have come down by hook or by crook to assist you in doing honor to one who I am sure richly deserves all the appreciation that can be bestowed upon him”.
The Chairman opened the proceedings with a hearty speech, in which he mentioned that of the suburbs which had joined in the movement to raise the Fourth Contingent, Caversham was an easy first, having purchased five horses and equipped three men. Of the men, Trooper SORENSON had been killed, Quartermaster-sergeant CHRISTIE (now lieutenant quartermaster) had joined the Seventh Contingent, and the third member was on the platform. He (the mayor) had much pleasure in welcoming Trooper MOORE on behalf of the citizens, and in presenting him with a gold pendant bearing the inscription: “Presented to Trooper J.G.H. Moore, Fourth New Zealand Contingent, by the citizens of Caversham, in recognition of military services in South Africa, 1900-1901”. (Loud cheers, those present joining in the chorus ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’).
The Rev. D. Dutton made the speech of the evening. Our boys of the Fourth had lived up to the reputation of the First and Second, and if the need had arisen we could have sent thousands more of the same stamp. There was something significant in that fact. Were the nations of Europe keeping their fingers out of the pie simply because of their love for England? Not a bit of it. They saw that thousands of men were ready to pour in from all quarters of the globe to help if required, and they left John Bull alone. And if we were proud of our men who went to Africa, we were proud of our women too. If Nurse ROSS did not object, he would like those present to rise to their feet and sing ‘For she’s a jolly good fellow’.— (The hint was at once taken.)
Mr J. F. M. Fraser said he never drew comparisons between the contingents we had sent to the war; but no contingent that had left the colony could hold its head higher than the Fourth. They had proved it by their deeds, and by their conduct on and off the field. He had received confidential reports of their doings, and on all sides he heard nothing but praise. He believed that no one who had come back to Australasia had won greater honor than the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Davis, and be trusted his services would not be lost to the colony.
Captain Loasby said it was with feelings of pleasure he added his quota to the night’s proceedings. He had known Trooper MOORE since he was a boy, and knew he was made of the right fighting stuff. He welcomed him back on behalf of the volunteers. Before this war started volunteers were looked upon somewhat in the light of tinsel soldiers, and the officers as nincompoops; but the war had given volunteering a fresh impetus, and volunteers were now getting the respect to which they were entitled.
Mr J.R. Thornton in the course of his humorous speech said that New Zealand had sent her full quota to the help of the Mother Country and was the first colony to offer help, and for this honorable lead we had to thank the Premier.
Mr W.J. Moore said he felt grateful for the welcome offered to his son, and Trooper MOORE briefly and in soldierly terms returned thanks to the mayor and residents.
The musical programme consisted of songs by Miss Anna Fergusson, Miss Caldow, Messrs R.T. Caldow and W. Stewart; Mr J.G. Briggs gave a comet solo; and an orchestra under Mr Briggs’s leadership played two selections. Miss Caldow acted as accompanist.
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