Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 28/01/1901
Number issued: 1
15-carat gold chain & medal, to:
THE RETURNED TROOPERS
PROCEEDINGS AT MANAIA TODAY.
Manaia, January 28.
This morning business places closed at 10 o'clock, and in the Drill Hall a large crowd assembled, the band being in attendance, and as Lieut. MITCHELL advanced up the hall to the stage "See the Conquering Hero" was played.
Mr Hunt, Chairman of the Town Board, presented him with an illuminated address.
The text of the address, which was designed by Mr Benporath, was as follows: — Manaia, 28th January, 1901. To Trooper James Mitchell: Dear Sir,— We, the undersigned residents of the Waimate Plains, wish to record our appreciation of your efforts to sustain the dignity of the Empire as a member of the First New Zealand Contingent on active against the Transvaal and Orange Free State in their rebellion, war, and invasion. Providence has caused our arms to prevail, and with such a glorious consummation we rejoice to see you safely back, and hope that the health, prosperity, and happiness will be yours that gallant deeds in a noble cause entitle you to. — We subscribe ourselves, your faithful countrymen. [Signed by about sixty residents.]
The address is adorned with illustrations of the New Zealand Standard, Royal Escutcheon, a Long Tom in action worked by three blue jackets, Red Cross corps at work, artillery in action, mounted troops both in and out of action, ironclads, troopships (with Table Mount in the background), Queen Victoria, "Bobs", and Generals Baden-Powell, Kelly-Kenny, Kitchener, Buller, Wauchope, Symons, White, French, and Hunter. The address, which is striking, will probably be sent to Hawera, and be on view in one of the business places.
Mr McGuire, M.H.R., then on behalf of subscribers, presented him with a massive gold albert chain, and Mr Hunt also handed him a purse of sovereigns. The chain is a handsome curb link, 15-carat, with medal attached, the lot weighing 3 ½ ozs.
Lieut. MITCHELL, who was received with great cheering when he rose to reply, expressed his gratitude for all the kindness that had been shown to him. He regretted his stay was so short for he could see none of the people he would like to see, nor expressing his feelings as he would like to do had fuller opportunity occurred.
The band played a march; "For He is a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung, and the proceedings passed off very heartily, though owing to the death of the Queen there was less acclamation than otherwise there would have been.
Lieut. MITCHELL leaves for Hawera this afternoon to take train, en route for Auckland.
On Saturday night, when Lieutenant MITCHELL reached Manaia, there was a crowd waiting for him, and he was collared and lifted shoulder high, the crowd singing "Soldiers of the Queen".
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