State: Tasmania
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 17/12/1900
Number issued: c. 5
Gold medals/pendants, to:
EVANDALE.
Ministerial.
BANQUET TO MAJOR CAMERON.
HIS SERVICES HIGHLY PRAISED.
At the banquet tendered tonight to Major Cameron and men about 135 sat down at the tables. Amongst the visitors were the Premier (Hon. N.E. Lewis), Minister of Defence (Hon. G.T. Collins), Colonels Legge and Martin, Captain the Hon. H.I. Rooke, M.L.C., Captains Chapman and Room, Sergeant-Major Costello, Major CAMERON, and the returned soldiers.
The Warden (Mr D. McKinnon) occupied the chair, and read apologies from the member for the district (Mr J.C. Von Stieglitz) and Mr H.S. Smith, both of whom were ill.
The spread was provided by Mr Ryan, of the Clarendon Hotel.
After the tables were cleared the chairman gave the toast of "The Queen", which was received with rounds of applause and cheers and the singing of the National Anthem.
The Premier proposed the toast of "The Major and Men", and said it gave him very great pleasure to be honoured with such a duty. The colony was fast making history, and would soon be united with the other colonies in one nation, cemented by the blood of their brave heroes spilled in South Africa for Queen and country. He was proud to see the men back again after having faced such duties, and he was proud of their commander, who offered his services for the war, and set such an example to the colonies with his patriotism. The major's services were eulogised by the speaker, who hoped the officer would not be forgotten when the Queen was distributing her honours after the war.
The toast was drunk with musical honours and cheers.
Major CAMERON rose to respond amid thundering applause and musical honours. He assured his hearers that a more loyal-hearted set of men it would be impossible to find than those he had under him. Should they again be wanted he was assured they would come from all parts of Tasmania. He spoke in high terms of the service Captain LEWIS was rendering in South Africa, and said that officer should share a lot of the praise that was being poured on the returned men. He felt he could not adequately express his feelings at the words spoken by the leading citizen of the colony.
The Minister of Defence said it was with great pleasure he attended the banquet, more especially as he was honoured with making the presentations to the returned soldiers. It was the second time he had the pleasure of making presentations to Evandale boys, the first time being on the s.s. Coogee when they were going away. Then he gave them purses of money presented by Mrs Hartnoll and Miss Fall, and this time by the loyal residents of Evandale. In presenting each with the pendant the Minister made a very fitting and appropriate address to each. Then he called for three cheers for them, which were heartily given.
Dr Johnson proposed the toast of "The Defence 'Force of Tasmania", and ably reviewed what had been done and what war had done in strengthening the British Empire as regards the union with the colonies, and the smartness shown by those departments re the despatch of troops to the war.
Colonel Legge responded, and reviewed the work of the Tasmanian department since 1884, when he came into command. He complimented the Evandale Company as being one of the best in the colony, the reasons for which were the efficient officers and non-coms. He paid a high compliment to Captain Hawley for the drill and the way he handled the men.
Colonel Martin also responded, and also eulogised the services of Major CAMERON and his men. He thought that if all were known of what took place at the time of his capture the major would now be wearing the coveted V.C.
Captain Rooke complimented the Evandale people generally on their spirit. He had visited Evandale twice within a week to large functions, and both were carried out in an up-to-date style without a hitch. He had much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, and proposed his health, which was drunk with cheers.
The chairman suitably responded.
