Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/05/1902, 19/09/1902 [or 06/10/1902?]
Number issued: 7
Gold alberts [with pendants?], to:
23/05/1902 presentation
3802 Trooper James WOOD
19/09/1902 presentation
Lieutenant Alexander McNAB (absent)
7941 Lance-Corporal Alexander McBAIN
9557 Trooper James SCOTT
Presentation of gold alberts made by Mr Gavin Dickson, in the Otama Public Hall.
Reverse: "To Trooper A. Logan by Otama Residents on His Return from S. Africa, 6.10.02".
Logan example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 22/07/2016, for £2,800 (with QSA & WWI medals).
SOCIAL AT OTAMA.
Last evening, despite the inclement weather, a large number of people turned out to welcome Troopers McMEEKIN, KEY, and WOODS [sic] at Otama. A social was held in the Public Hall, and friends from far and near assembled to do honor to the returned troopers, who have all escaped from the war scatheless, and a most enjoyable evening was spent in dancing.
Shortly after supper, Mr T.R. Carroll in a neat speech said that he was glad to be present on such an occasion, which accorded him an opportunity of welcoming home the local boys safe and sound. In a brief resume of the war, Mr Carroll referred to the time of trouble which had come upon England with the commencement of the war, and stated that ultimately she would rise superior to her troubles and gain the respect of mankind. She knew how to meet defeat as well as to make victories; she was cool and calm while many of her homes were turned into houses of mourning, and while her enemies on the Continent were snarling at her heels, jealous of the progress and prosperity by which she had outdistanced them. She would emerge from the fire strengthened by the process, although she had made many losses which were hard to bear. When President Kruger suddenly began the war, a small contingent in Natal had hastened to the front, confronted the Boers, and maintained their ground with honor and glory to themselves. The prestige of the British soldiers never diminished one iota. The end of the struggle had never been in doubt. British civilization was never suspected by them to come to an end on the plains of South Africa. This struggle might do more for the world's future peace than any other factor. Hostile nations would now have to admit that they had the men and the money too, and better than all they had the fibre which exalted a nation, and knew no such word as fail, and it was satisfactory to think that the colony was playing such an important part in bringing this about. The London 'Times' had said that sending the tenth contingent was a truly wonderful instance of patriotism, and the 'Telegraph' had described the spirit displayed by New Zealand as magnificent. He thought the sending of the contingents to South Africa was the most profitable investment the colony had yet entered upon. The bravery of the boys was most highly appreciated. They had left comfortable homes to face the hardships of a rough and unknown country. It had not been the lot of the sixth contingent to be connected with many of the dramatic incidents of the war in which other colonial regiments had figured. They had been employed on the more monotonous and more prosaic but none the less highly important and absolutely necessary work of clearing up selected portions of the country. This had entailed heavy marching, and had severely tested the endurance of the men. The engagements they had been in had been chiefly of the order of skirmishes, in which the losses, he was glad to nay, had been comparatively slight. What the sixth contingent did, however, was arduous and exhausting work, which was wearying, as it was practically devoid of excitement. According to General Plumer, it did exceptionally well, and this statement was backed up by Imperial officers. The officers and men of the sixth contingent had added to the laurels which our soldiers had won for New Zealand in the war. Therefore the people of the district, as well as the public of the colony, had every reason to be proud of the boys. Those present would back him up in his high opinion and esteem of the three young fellows who were present, and accord them three hearty cheers. (Applause and cheers).
Mr McNab, M.H.R., also spoke, and on behalf of the people of the district presented each trooper with a handsome gold chain. He could scarcely imagine any life more sensational and full of variation than the life of a soldier in South Africa. It would, he believed, be a much-spoken of theme in times to come even more spoken of than at the present day. The war had raised the Empire from being a host of units. The war had brought the colonies into prominence in different parts of the world, and they had largely been brought into that position by the colonial contingents. It was a great honor to be a soldier in the greatest army that ever bad been placed on a field of battle. The presentations were to keep their guests and other facts green in their memories; they would accept the presents as a token of the esteem of the people of Otama, and later on they would receive the Imperial medal, which he hoped they would be long spared to wear. (Loud applause.)
Troopers WOODS [sic], McMEEKIN, and KEY briefly returned thanks, and rendered the sixth contingent war cry.
Social. — On Friday, the 23rd, a social was held in the Otama Hall, which was given by the people of this district in honour of the troopers of the Sixth Contingent who have returned. In spite of the wild, inclement weather, a good company gathered to greet the troopers. When they arrived they marched into the hall, preceded by two pipers playing Highland music and accompanied by members of the Mataura Mounted Rifles, and were received on the platform by Mr Robert McNab, M.H.R., who, in the name of the people of Otama, tendered them a hearty welcome home, and asked for three cheers for Troopers KEY, McMEEKIN, and WOOD, which were heartily given. Dancing was then indulged in and carried on vigorously. During an interval Mr McNab presented each of the troopers with a gold albert, subscribed for by their friends in Otama, and said that he was sure he only voiced the opinion of the people present in saying that they were all glad to see them back again in health and strength, and that, although they had taken part in no very serious engagement, yet their trying marches and other work had all helped to build up the British Empire. Mr T.R. Carroll, in a flowery and eloquent speech, gave a resume of some of the work the British army had undertaken and seen through. Trooper James WOOD, in replying, said that he was very pleased to be back again from the veldt among his Otama friends, but that he had enjoyed it immensely, and was ready to go again if need be. Chasing a convoy was the best sport one could imagine. He thanked them heartily for their nice present, which he would always cherish as a reminder of his Otama friends. Troopers KEY and McMEEKIN also suitably responded. Two hearty rounds of cheering were given for the returned soldiers, and after tea had been dispensed dancing was again resorted to. Songs were given during the intervals by Miss Archibald and Messrs Carroll, McEachern, and Stewart; also stepdances by Messrs Dickson brothers and Gray. Music was supplied by the Hunter Family, also pipe music by Messrs N. Dickson and Smith, and Ihe company broke up in the early morning, after having spent a very enjoyable time.
RETURNED TROOPERS.
SOCIAL AT OTAMA.
Despite the unpropitious state of the weather last night, the social tendered to recently returned troopers of the Otama district was fairly well attended, and was held in the Otama Public Hall. Lance-Corporal McBAIN, Troopers LOGAN and SCOTT, of the Tenth Contingent, were present, Lieut. McNAB being unable to attend owing to indisposition. The hall was decorated in a very tasteful manner with arms, evergreens, etc., and all the arrangements to ensure the success of the gathering were carried out by a strong committee of gentlemen.
Mr Gavin Dickson presided, and during an interval, he said he was glad to see the troopers back again. Perhaps they had not experienced the difficulties that former contingents had undergone, but all would agree with him that they had gone to South Africa perfectly willing to do anything required. (Applause).
Lieut. Wayte said that he also was very pleased to see the local boys back. They belonged to a class of young fellows who had shown the British soldiers what the New Zealanders could do, and the example set by them was one which Britishers could well emulate. One of the troopers was a member of the Mataura Mounted Rifles and no doubt the experience he had gained would be of great benefit to others in the company. The men from Southland were a hardy lot, and out of the men sent from Gore none of them had died except through being shot or wounded. (Applause).
Mr T.R. Carroll said the ground frequented by patriotic speakers had been pretty well covered. The troopers had left comfortable homes and faced battles and hardships in order to uphold the dignity of the Empire. The members of the last contingent had not been permitted to display their abilities, and were disappointed that they had not had an opportunity to distinguish themselves in a manner that would gain merit. They had gone with the very best of intentions, and the will must be taken for the deed. It was extremely fortunate that there had been so few calamities amongst the colonials who had contributed their share towards the fight against Kruger. No doubt it would take a few years before a reconciliation would be come to between the conquerors and the conquered, and perhaps things would be left undone in the haste of the conclusion of the war; but it was to be hoped that in time satisfactory arrangements would be made between the British and the Boers. He had indeed great pleasure in welcoming the troopers back. (Applause).
The Chairman said he had a pleasing duty to perform, inasmuch as he had been appointed, on behalf of the Otama people, to make a presentation to each of the troopers. The presents comprised three gold watch chains, which were procured from Mr S.E. Ferguson, Gore.
Lance-Corporal McBAIN and Troopers SCOTT and LOGAN returned thanks in a suitable manner, and all stated that they were pleased to be home again.
EMBARKATION DATABASE
