Medals and awards

THE PRESENTATIONS.

At an interval in the concert programme the Mayor, with Colonel Ranclaud, Mr Gillies, M.P., and the officers, ascended the stage. The appearance of Captain NICHOLSON and his comrades was greeted with an ovation. The Mayor explained that permission had been obtained from the General for the Maitland members of the Bushmen's Contingent to be present that night, and he was not in a position to say why they were not present. Addressing Captain NICHOLSON, he said he had much pleasure in handing him, on behalf of the citizens, a pair of field glasses. He hoped he would with his Lancers do credit to Maitland and the Empire and return crowned with honours to his wife and family. He had also to hand Trooper KING and Bugler PEEK a gold medal each.

Captain Markwell, on behalf of the Lancer Half-Squadron, expressed the regret of the troopers at Captain NICHOLSON's departure, but they felt proud of the honour which had been conferred on him. He presented him with a military bracelet watch and a compass. Bugler PEEK was presented with a silver match-box by the girls of the West Maitland Superior Public School, and with a silver watch and chain by the boys. The watch was inscribed: "Presented to Trumpeter R. Peek from his schoolmates on his departure for Transvaal war. Superior Public School, West Maitland. 14th February, 1900".

The Rev. Arthur Killworth reminded the audience that Maitland was that night making history for itself. He justified England's action in the South African war, and claimed that no effort was spared to avoid war. In sending soldiers to South Africa, they were but doing their duty in assisting to do away with slavery, which must be abolished after the close of the present war.

Mr John Gillies expressed the pleasure it gave him to see so many present to do honour to the brave men who were going to do their duty to the Empire. It was an honour to Maitland to have one who had grown up as a boy amongst them going out with the rank of a captain, in command of a contingent. They also had Gus. KING, who would also do honour to his town. There was also the little bugler Rupert PEEK, who had the manliness to go out from his school to face the dangers of the battlefield. The volunteers could rest assured that none of their relatives would ever regret that they had gone out as volunteers. The Government had assured him that none of their relations would be brought to want through their departure for South Africa.

Lieut.-Colonel Ranclaud referred to the good work which had been done by the Lancers. About 180 out of 400 members of the Regiment had volunteered for service, and would shortly be at the seat of war. The name of Nicholson was well known in the district, and Captain NICHOLSON would be no son of his father if he was not able to take care of himself. He re-echoed the sentiments of his audience in wishing the volunteers God-speed and a safe return.

Captain NICHOLSON, who was received with applause, said that he appreciated their kindness. The gift they had given him was one which would be useful in South Africa. It would recall to his mind that grand meeting and the good people of Maitland. The present from his Lancer comrades would also be an everlasting memento of them. He detailed  all matters which had transpired in connection with his offer to the Government. Every member of his contingent was a colonial soldier. He and they would uphold the honour of their regiment, of the colony and of Maitland. He would not say good-bye, but au revoir. (Loud and prolonged applause).

Trooper KING responded. He was no speaker, but he promised that he would not show the white feather.

Bugler PEEK was carried forward by two soldiers, and said that he thanked the people of Maitland and all they had done for him. He would never forget Maitland.

Presentation to Trooper FULLFORD.

Farewell to Maitland Volunteers.

A GREAT DEMONSTRATION.

The people of Maitland have once again demonstrated in unmistakable fashion their loyalty and their patriotism. A little over a month ago there was a grand display on the occasion of the departure of Lieut. McGLINN, Adjutant of the New South Wales Mounted Infantry, and the men volunteering for service in South Africa. But the demonstration on Wednesday to do honour and say farewell to Lieut. NICHOLSON of the Maitland Lancers and the men of the New South Wales Lancer and Bushmen's Contingents belonging to this district, was undoubtedly the most magnificent that has yet been seen here. And it is evident that the longer the war lasts the stronger is growing the patriotic spirit of the people. The Town Hall, where a grand patriotic concert formed part of the evening's programme, was filled to overflowing, hundreds being unable to get near the doors. Fully 1,300 people, including a large proportion of ladies, managed to squeeze into the hall, while nearly as many were forced to remain in the street outside. But these were at least able to accompany the military and citizens' processions to and from the hall, they joined in the singing of “Soldiers of the Quean”, “Rule Britannia”, and “Sons of the Sea”, they cheered, and in every other way manifested their earnest sympathy with the cause of the demonstration. Indeed, enthusiasm was unbounded from beginning to end of the proceedings, which were carried out without a hitch, and for the success of which Lieut. Nash and the energetic committee supporting him are to be heartily congratulated. The only disappointment was the non-arrival of the men of the Bushmen’s Contingent, whom Major-General French had wired the Hon. J.N. Brunker the previous day would be granted permission to attend to receive the gold medals the committee had prepared to present them with as souvenirs of the occasion. At half-past ten o'clock Trooper A.C. FULLFORD arrived from Sydney, having been unable to get away sooner, but what caused the non-arrival of the others no one seemed to know. Next morning, however, a letter was received from headquarters to say that the remainder of the men were too busy to get away.

Proceedings commenced at quarter past seven o'clock by the formation of two processions at the Church Street Railway Station. The first comprised the Band of the Fourth Infantry Regiment, under Bandmaster W.G. Bentley, A.R.C.M., then followed Captains Markwell and NICHOLSON riding in front of the Maitland Half-Squadron of Lancers, who marched dismounted. Trooper KING and Trumpeter PEEK also walked in the procession. Members of B Company under Captain Scobie came next, and the Scottish Rifles (Captain Grant) brought up the rear. Then at an interval of one hundred yards came the Federal Band under Bandmaster Fred Fitness, the East Maitland Fire Brigade under Captain R. Burgess, East Maitland Water Brigade (Captain W.H. Towns), West Maitland Water Brigade (Captain John James), and the Superior Public School Fife and Drum Band and children under the headmaster (Mr George Wenholz), assisted by Mr W. Clemens, principal assistant. The processions marched by way of Church and High Street to the Town Hall, the bands playing popular and patriotic marches, and the public who accompanied them in hundreds singing the choruses.

WEST MAITLAND, Friday.

The Volunteers for South Africa.

THE SEND-OFF

AN ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSRATION.

Despite the fact that little or no display was attempted by the business men of the town to signalise the important event of the departure from this district of several officers and men as volunteers to South Africa it must be admitted that the demonstration made by the general public last night was not only of a most cordial character, but comparatively speaking most enthusiastic. The demonstration was organised and the presentations arranged to be made with the view of publicly recognising the patriotism displayed by those officers and men who had volunteered for active service in South Africa, and to bid them a citizens' farewell on the eve of their departure for the seat of war. These men who had stepped forward in response to the Empire's call, in many instances at great personal inconvenience, were unquestionably entitled to all honour their fellow citizens, comrades-in-arms, and friends could bestow, and it is a source of gratification to be able to record the fact that the event was a great success. The concert which was held in the Town Hall, at which addresses were delivered and the medals presented, was well patronised, and the citizens' committee have to be congratulated on having succeeded in presenting a varied programme of high-class character, and achieving at the same time a satisfactory financial result. The procession, which was marshalled by Captains Markwell and Nicholson, started from Church Street railway station, preceded by a buggy in which were seated Mr John Gillies, M.P., and Mr R.W. Thompson. Following was the order of the procession: — Maitland Lancers, under Captains Markwell and Nicholson; B and D Companies, 4th Infantry Regiment, under Captains J.W. Scobie and Langwill; Major Sloan, Captains Paton and Addison; Lieutenants PEEK and SCOBIE; the Volunteers; the Piper Band; the Scottish Rifles, under Corporal Scobie in the absence of Captain Grant who sent an apology for inability to be present to take part in the procession; Fitness's Federal Band under the conductorship of Bandmaster Shields; East Maitland Fire Brigade, under Captain Burgess and Secretary Branch; West Maitland Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Phillips and Secretary Taylor; West Maitland Water Brigade, under Captain H. Morris; East Maitland Water Brigade, under Captain Towns.

The following officers were also present: — Lieutenant-Colonel Ranclaud, Majors Sloan, V.D., and Waddy, Surgeon-Captain Alcorn, Captain Addison and Lieutenant Nash. The volunteers, officers and men, numbered nineteen, but only fourteen marched in the procession. The names of the volunteers were: Lieutenants R. SCOBIE, J.A.M.H. THOMPSON, F.H. PEEK, F.W. STUART; Troopers R. PATTERSON, W. OSBORNE, E.V. JOHNSTSONE, J. HOUGH, O. APTHORPE, J.P. FARRELL, J. HOWARTH, J. ELLIOTT, G.H. VICKERY, F. GRANT, F. McCRAE, W. SEWARD, Bugler ROBINSON, Troopers G. BOUGHTON and E. MOORE. Of this number three had previously received their medals, and four were unable to be present on the occasion.