Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 12/08/1901, 26/11/1901, 22/05/1902
Number issued: 4
12/08/1901 presentation
448 Trooper Donald Henry HENDERSON
1124 Trooper Alexander Edward McDONALD
26/11/1901 presentation
1123 Trooper Claude Ernest Buchanan McGREGOR [MacGregor] (subsequently 9463 Sgt C.E.B. McGregor, 10th N.Z.M.R.)
22/05/1902 presentation
3719 Trooper Ewen Duncan CAMERON
RETURNING TROOPERS.
RECEPTION AT MATAURA.
The inclemency of the weather last night did not interfere in any way with the attendance at the Mataura reception to Trooper A.E. McDONALD as Adams' Hall was crowded to the doors, and great enthusiasm prevailed throughout. Besides the guest of the evening there were present Lieut. Brebner, Sergeant Hunter (Invercargill), Corporal McKay (Wyndham), Troopers HENDERSON, A. McDonald and McIntosh (Hedgehope). The hall was most tastefully decorated with bunting and evergreens, this department having been placed in the hands of a strong committee of ladies and gentlemen.
Mr Hugh Cameron presided over the gathering, and the Rev. Mr Davidson and Mr I.W. Raymond appeared on the stage together with the soldiers, their arrival being the signal for prolonged applause. Prior to the commencement of the proceedings Messrs Cameron Bros, gave two bagpipe selections in capital style.
The Chairman said Trooper McDONALD was the district representative, and had been presented with the horse, Papermaker, by those connected with the Mataura Paper Mills, and of course they could not let the occasion pass without celebrating it in some manner. He had also hoped to see Trooper Claude MACGREGOR present, but of course, his absence was unavoidable. Mr Cameron referred to the Jameson Raid and the position of affairs until the present war had broken out owing to taxation and oppression. The art of war had changed considerably of late years, and the eyes of the world had been opened very much by the war in the Transvaal. He thought that the Transvaal and the Free Slate would be like Australia and New Zealand when the war had blown over and they were colonised. That would be a very good thing both for the Boers and the rest of the world. — (Loud applause).
A capital programme bad been arranged, and the overture was supplied by Mrs Godly and Mr Hubener (violin). Miss Cameron sang "Bonny Prince Charlie" with great spirit, accompanied on the piano by Mrs Amos. Trooper Hunter sang "New Zealand Remembers Majuba", and the pipers again gave a selection.
Mr Raymond said the troopers had been promised a welcome when they returned, and this was one that would gladden their hearts. They were human beings like themselves, and he had no doubt they had carried away kindly recollections of the treatment they had received and often thought about the promise when on the veldt. — (Loud applause). It was not old men who had gone; they were just at the age when they were inclined to build castles in the air and inclined to rook at things through rosy spectacles. They were on the threshold of life, and on the very first opportunity they had offered to their Sovereign the greatest sacrifice possible for a human being to make — their lives. — (Hear, hear). They were prepared to willingly give their lives and die for their country. During their sojourn in South Africa they must have had a lifetime's experience, and the speaker did not think it would ever be removed from the tablets of their memories. They were rich in experience that fell to the lot of few to reap. Two years ago those present, the speaker thought, could not have prophesied such a gathering at Mataura. More had been done by the contingents to advertise the colony than anything else he could think of. It was always to the credit of New Zealand when people spoke of the New Zealand boys. He had heard that some of the young fellows were inclined to go back to South Africa, but he hoped they would not go. He would not go even if he were offered a thousand a year. They wanted the young men here, although if their services were required he knew very well they would willingly volunteer. — (Loud applause).
The Rev. Mr Davidson said they might wonder how he had so much sympathy with soldiers of war. A congregation of soldiers — of young fellows — was the best congregation he ever had. They were present every Lord's Day at the sound of the bugle. He knew soldiers very well. War was a necessity sometimes, and he was of opinion that if ever there was a war that was warranted, it was the present one. — (Hear, hear). Long ago the Boers had got themselves into trouble with the Zulus, and the British had gone to their aid and subdued the Zulus, and helped the Boers. The Boers at that time were very willing to be annexed, their only fear being that in the future the British Government would again leave them to the fierce Zulus. Even Kruger was a very devoted servant of the British Empire. He was there clerking for them at a salary of £300 a year. He wanted a rise in that salary, and that was what brought his connection with Britain to a close. The Boers were people he had never had much faith in. When the British were oppressed in the Transvaal Parliament had protested, and no notice being taken, eventually war was proclaimed by Kruger. Kruger believed that he would conquer the British and drive them into the sea. The speaker thought it was necessary for them to fight when a man came to rob them of their rights and property. There was no more popular man today than the soldier. The war had done many things for them, but it had cost them a lot of lives, and, as Mr Raymond had said, it had advertised the colonies and restored the warlike abilities of the British Empire. It was sometimes thought that we were now soft and had lost our fighting abilities, but he was pleased to see that there was still fighting left in the race. He was sorry that there was such a tremendous amount of ignorance on the subject of New Zealand. He had sometimes wished, after reading the war news, that he could shake hands with every one of the gallant soldiers who had waged such gallant warfare in South Africa. (Applause). He felt he would like again lo be young and to be one of them. He hoped that everyone present realised what a serious business war was. Every man who went out there took his life in his hand. The war was now becoming rather stale, and a great many of the Boers were now in prison. There were just a few of the baser sort going about doing whatever mischief opportunity placed in their way. The time was coming when a little harder treatment would make even these rascals cease their evil doings. Mr Davidson was very pleased to be present to welcome Trooper McDONALD and his fellows. — (Loud applause and cheering).
The Chairman, on behalf of many Mataura friends, presented Trooper McDONALD with a handsome gold chain and pendant (the latter suitably inscribed), and hoped the trooper would regard the gift as a token of the appreciation of his conduct held by those in Mataura. He was sorry they were not able to give a souvenir to every one of those present. In after days he was sure it would be a pleasure to look on the present and think of the days spent in South Africa. He wished them every prosperity, and hoped they would follow the steps of their forefathers and strive to help Britain foremost in the world. — (Loud applause).
Trooper McDONALD said that the reception tendered him had afforded him very great pleasure. The Mataura people had been very good to him, first in equipping him, and now for the kind way in which they had received him, and he thanked them from the depth of his heart. — (Loud applause).
"For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was then struck up, the audience joining in heartily.
Lieut. Brebner said it also afforded him a great deal of pleasure to be present, as it was the first time he had been in Mataura. Trooper McDONALD, he thought, was fully deserving of the reception tendered him. — (Applause).
MATAURA.
August 21.
Returned Troopers.
Miscellaneous Notices.
RETURNED TROOPERS.
RECEPTION TO TROOPER CLAUDE MACGREGOR.
On Tuesday evening the public reception to Trooper Claude MACGREGOR wan held in Perrott's Hall, Mataura, and the large assemblage present, which included many from Gore and Wyndham, will remain a standing tribute to the returned trooper's popularity. The hall was decorated as befitted the occasion, and presented a pleasing appearance, Sergt. Murphy, Troopers Stevens and Murphy accompanied Trooper MACGREGOR on to the platform, but Trooper D. HENDERSON (to have been present) was unable to attend. Prior to the commencement of proceedings, Messrs Cameron Bros, rendered several warlike bagpipe selections.
Mr Hugh Cameron presided over the meeting. Their object in gathering together, he said, was to welcome home Trooper MACGREGOR, who was the only trooper really equipped and sent from Mataura. The speaker apologised for the absence of the Mayor, who was at the time in Dunedin, and therefore unable to attend. Several gentlemen were present to address them on this occasion, and, judging from the large audience, Mr Cameron concluded that the people of Mataura must be of a very warlike disposition On behalf of the local residents, the speaker had great pleasure in welcoming Trooper MACGREGOR back to Mataura. (Applause). He was pleased to see several other troopers mustered to do honour to their comrade.
Mr R. McNab, M.H.R., said he wished them to recall some of the circumstances in connection with the departure of the fourth and fifth contingents. There were circumstances that were different from the sending away of the others. The fourth contingent was recruited at a time in the history of the Empire that they had not seen the like of for many generations. Just at that time several serious catastrophes had occurred in South Africa. It was to be hoped that the same would not occur again. It was gratifying to the Mataura district residents that one of them had volunteered to fight their battles in South Africa, and on this occasion they had him again beside them. He always liked to mention the foregoing in regard to the fourth contingent, for there was a general idea that most of the hard work had been accomplished by the first and second contingents, but this was a great mistake. He considered that the last year had been the hardest of the lot. In the seventh contingent as many deaths had taken place on the field during the time they have been there as had taken place during the whole time the first were in action. The Chairman had given him a purse of sovereigns and a Maltese cross for presentation to their guest. These presents were tendered by the people who equipped and fitted him out for the campaign, and he had very much pleasure indeed in handing him the gifts. It was to be hoped that Trooper MACGREGOR would be long spared to wear the cross. Probably the last eighteen months had been the most important in the history of his life. (Loud applause).
Captain Bowler said that he appreciated the honour that had been bestowed upon him as captain of the Mataura Mounted Rifles, on whose behalf he thanked them. He would like to direct their attention to the position Trooper MACGREGOR held as one of the members of the contingents that went away to do service for the Old Country. They must consider what work the contingents had done, and the manner in which they had accomplished their task was an honour to the colony, and had bound them to the Mother Country. The Old Country was both geographically and politically isolated. That necessitated the colonies being always prepared, and also necessitated the organisation of volunteer corps in all the Australian colonies. He was sure from what he knew of Trooper MACGREGOR that he had done his part well. — (Applause). Trooper MACGREGOR would not be behindhand while a "scrap" was on. Every young man in the district should try and qualify himself for what MACGREGOR had done. He (the speaker) did not think there was much danger at the present time, but he thought that every young man who was in a position to do so should join a volunteer force. There was a local rifle club and volunteer companies on each side of Mataura, and he trusted that if occasion required the young men of the district to volunteer for service, they would not be behindhand. (Applause).
Trooper MACGREGOR was greeted with a perfect uproar of applause and cheering, and stated that he would very much like to make a speech, but all he could do was to thank them heartily for their kind presents, for which he was very grateful to the people of Mataura. (Loud applause).
The Rev. J.M. Davidson said that ever since the commencement of the war in South Africa he had experienced a violent desire to be a soldier. — (Laughter and applause). He had read much literature on the subject of the war, and was quite confident that in the first place there had been nothing else for us to do than to unsheathe our swords and go for Mr Kruger. (Laughter). The war had been a bloody one, but not so bloody as others Britain had waved. He would be sorry indeed to see the Empire go to pieces. There were a few, he was sorry to say, who did not value the Empire very highly, and would rather let things go to the bad than unsheathe their swords; but he was not one of that sort. One good thing the war had produced was the union of the British Empire. The colonies had regarded themselves before the war just as so many units. Perhaps some of them even had intentions of setting up for themselves. But the war had united the Empire, and union was strength. He thought that if they were wise they would more closely link themselves with the Mother Country. It gave him much pleasure to welcome Trooper MACGREGOR. The trooper had left home prepared to sacrifice his life for the Empire. No one who went out to that conflict could calculate on less than that, and everyone who went out there must have had in his mind that he might never return. What could a man do for his country more than that? The speaker had often wondered how ready the young of the land were to fight. They belonged to a fighting race, of course, and these young men would not be at all true to their traditions if they had not gone. Those present had all heard of the MacGregors — Rob Roy MacGregor. It would be a strange thing for a young MacGregor to keep his sword sheathed on the occasion of such a war as the present one in South Africa. — (Applause). Trooper MACGREGOR had escaped without a scratch, and was just as well as when he left. If required, he could go back again. Indeed, he was not very sure that it would be a bad thing for him to go back again. This war was not quite ended; it was continuing still. They might send out a few more contingents and end the war straight off. Canada was sending out a few more men, and Victoria had also spoken about it. The speaker believed it would be the right thing to do. Let the Boers see that they were determined to end the matter. — (Applause). Mr Davidson concluded by shaking hands with Trooper MACGREGOR.
The Cameron pipers then gave a bagpipe selection of Highland music.
The motion was carried by acclamation.
THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.
PRESENTATION TO TROOPER EWEN CAMERON.
Some forty or fifty gentlemen met in the Mataura Hotel on Thursday evening for the purpose of welcoming Trooper Ewen CAMERON back to Mataura. The trooper is now looking hale and hearty, after a sojourn of over a year with the sixth contingent in South Africa. Troopers Ernest CAMERON and D. HENDERSON were also present. Mr Thos. MacGibbon presided. After the good things provided with a lavish hand by the host and hostess had been discussed, the Chairman rose to propose the toast of "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers". They had all borne their share in the arduous war now proceeding. The Navy had accomplished sufficient to warrant them in saying that it had not deteriorated. The speaker referred to the Navy in connection with the relief of Ladysmith, and said the present Navy was a worthy successor to the one that won the battle of the Nile. The contingents of colonial volunteers (in addition to the South African volunteers) had also been a great help in the war and had proved themselves men of the right stamp. British authority had to be reinstated in South Africa. One event the speaker lamented very much was the death of Cecil Rhodes, the Empire builder. That man had contributed very largely to the prosperity of the country, and it was a pity he had not been spared long enough to have the pleasure of a run on the railway which it had been his ambition to see stretching throughout the length of Africa, from the Cape to Cairo. The toast was drunk with musical honors.
Mr Jas. Mitchell responded on behalf of the Army. The British soldier he said still possessed the rare qualities which had made his name famous by flood and field, and now his fame was again being brilliantly upheld. The colonials, the speaker considered, were worthy of any foeman's steel, and the severest critics could not recall any record in the world's history of such unflinching bravery as displayed by the men in South Africa. (Applause).
Mr Pulleine, in responding to the toast of the Navy, said it was thirty years at least since the Navy has been engaged in actual warfare, and it could now be said with truth that the British Navy had not deteriorated since then, and it would be a sorry day for Australia and New Zealand when Great Britain lost her Navy. (Applause).
Mr Carver responded on behalf of the Volunteers. He considered that the volunteers sent from New Zealand to the seat of war had proved excellent soldiers, and that excellent officer, Colonel Robin, although now an Imperial officer, was once a volunteer. The war had given things a start in the volunteering circles, and a large number of volunteer rifle corps had been formed during the last two or three years. In Mataura they had a strong division of the Murihiku Mounted Rifles and a large cadet corps. (Applause).
The Chairman proposed the health of "The Contingent". The contingents had done their duty well, and three of their number present who had been with them had come back crowned with honor. They would drink sorrowfully to those who had laid their lives down for their country. When war was entered into someone must pay. The memory of those dead would not be lost, and they all sympathised with the relatives of those whose bones were bleaching in South Africa. Great Britain could have done the work without the contingents, and the colonial soldiers had been a great help. The men had shown outsiders that the British Empire was not merely a lot of units; and the motto of the colonies was "Love me, love my dog". That was a noble feeling, and an object lesson to the countries who thought they would catch Britain asleep. (Applause).
The Rev. Mr Davidson responded. He had a great admiration for the colonial contingents which had gone to the help of the Mother Country. He would repeat what he said on a former occasion, that the war would have had a different termination without the help of colonials. That did not mean that the British Army was by any means defective — he had a great admiration for Tommy Atkins — but the action of the colonials had kept down the croakers at Home.
The Liberals at Home thought that the British Empire consisted of the British Isles. They could now say that the British Empire consisted of Great Britain and her colonies. (Applause.) If the Empire were in the hands of the British Liberals, it would be a poor one indeed. Beyond a doubt the war had united the British Empire, and in the actual war the colonials had fought as nobly as the Imperials. At the great battle where Cronje was caught the men who had got him thoroughly into a corner were the Canadians. When the enemy saw them within 80 yards, the burghers said they had had enough, and the speaker was of opinion that the Boers feared the colonials most of all. The method of warfare adopted by the Boers was just as natural as it could be, and the colonials had adapted themselves to suit. A country had to maintain soldiers — the state of the world compelled it and without war a nation could not be great. If a nation lost its soldiers, it would soon cease to have influence in this world. The youth of New Zealand retained the warlike spirit of their forefathers. As long as they had such young men in the colony, he had no fear of the Empire breaking down. (Applause). If New Zealand were invaded, they would stick to their guns and keep the enemy outside. He was very pleased to welcome Trooper CAMERON back to his fatherland looking so well. Every young man who went out went at the price of his life. (Applause).
Mr Walton said he had wondered, when the first contingent went away, whether it was a new game or not on the part of Mr Richard Seddon, who since has proved himself to be on the right track. At that time it was generally thought that they would never get past Capetown, or hear a shot fired. No sooner had the first contingent gone than a second was mooted, and by that time open warfare had been proclaimed. The colonials brought things to a head, and were helping England in a time of need. They were brought up and drilled in rough country similar to that of the Boers, whom they could meet in their own tactics. He had no doubt that the British soldier had learned a wrinkle or two from his colonial brother. It was nothing short of marvelous that a small country like New Zealand should send away ten contingents. He admired very much the smart manner in which the contingents had been sent away, and although not a follower of Mr Seddon, no one could have sent the men away with greater despatch.
Trooper D. HENDERSON considered that their Australian cousins should not be forgotten in speaking on the toast. They had all tried to do their duty. They had shown the Continental powers that if they reckoned with Great Britain they must not forget the colonies. During his wanderings in South Africa he had found that there was no place like home. (Applause).
The Chairman proposed the health of their guest, and in doing so expressed the pleasure he felt in welcoming him home. Those present would sympathise with Mr and Mrs Cameron in the pleasure they felt in seeing their son home. Trooper CAMERON had Highland blood in him, and the memory of the kilt would be so strong that he could not neglect his duty as a soldier. Their guest came of a good stock, and the Camerons of old were celebrated by their warlike propensities — a Cameron was never known to have been wounded in the back, and always died with his face to the foe. He rejoiced also that so many New Zealanders had come back safely from the fray. The fighting was of a most peculiar character, and a man never knew when he was safe. That was sufficient to intimidate the bravest of men. The men could not see their enemy; they were marched through the country (seemingly uninhabited) and were often assailed by an invisible foe. Their men were possessed of no ordinary sort of pluck, and had proved themselves generally successful. He wished their guest success and happiness. (Applause).
The Chairman said that on the last occasion he had presided over a gathering of that sort it was to bid Trooper CAMERON Godspeed and a safe return, on the event of which some few friends had thought it advisable to give him something to keep him in memory of the present occasion. He trusted that Trooper CAMERON would live long to tell his children and grandchildren of his exploits in South Africa. He had much pleasure in presenting him with a gold albert and Maltese cross as a memento of their delight and pleasure in seeing him home again. (Applause).
Trooper CAMERON returned suitable thanks.
The Chairman proposed "The Host and Hostess". They had sent two sons to fight for their King and country — a noble cause. Both of them had come back safely, upon which their parents were to be congratulated. (Applause).
Mr Cameron said he was extremely pleased to see so many gathered together to welcome home his son, and particularly desired to thank Mr MacGibbon for his kind utterances. (Loud applause).
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