THE RETURN OF THE TROOPS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 270, 7 March 1889, Page 2

THE RETURN OF THE TROOPS.

WELCOME AND FAKEWELL. Those of the Southern forces who had gone out of town returned to Gisborne on Thursday morning, at an earlier hour than expected. One oould hardly think it possible that the visitors, with the ehort time they had been able to spend in Gisborne, could have made so many friends—admirers of course they had in any number from the time they first landed. The Permanent Forces fell in at four o’clock, and went through their drill, The boat was timed to go out at 5 15, and punctually at five the men again fell in. Sir George Whitmore then stepped forward and addrcss-d them. He highly complimented them on their appearance. He had all along known they were a well behaved body, in fact that there was not a more self .respecting body of men existing anywhere else under Her Majesty's rule. He hoped they would still continue to impress the public with what he himself already knew they were—a diligent, capable lot of men. There had been a prejudice existing for some years with respect to the organisation of a permanent force, and for hie part he was glad to be able to vindicate what he had always said that the permanent forces of this colony stand the highest of all the colonies. In Australia, every Gazette notified of dismissals or desertions, but when was anything of the kind known with regard to the New Zealand forces ? No British army could give a better account of itself than the men before him had. In a town where the inhabitants would be only too glad to entertain them, their conduct had been most exemplary, and when the roll was called not one man was missing. He had to thank them not only for the service they had rendered the country, but for having so well fulfilled the views he himself had held for many years, tor they had proved life country had in them a grand force, and he hoped this high reputation would he maintained in the future. (Applause.) Ils concluded by again warmly thanking them, his remarks being endorsed by the applause of a large number of onlookers. A march was then made from the drill shed to the wharf, a large crowd going down to say goodbye, There was much hand shaking and other demonstrations of that mixed feeling of joy and sorrow that cannot be controlled on such occasions. Cheer after cheer was given, and replied to frorp the launch, with genuine warmth, and as the little vessel steamed off with its heavy burden the men were Binging, “ For he’s a jolly good fellow," and hurrahing, and waving handkerchiefs, until they were out of hearing. RECEPTION OF LOCAL FORCES. Early yesterday morning the Reception Committee were on the move, and by 11 o'clock the town was gaily decorated with flags in various places, while across the road, near Mr Wbinray’s, was stretched a calico banner bearing the inscription, Perseverance the key of success. Welcome.” Shortly before noon, the cadets fell in at the flrebell stand, and at a llt'le after 12 the Garrison Band (under Bandmaster Brown, who came from the Hussars just as the band was forming up) took the bead of the cadets and marched up to the upper flrebell stand where they were drawn up to receive the troops, A few

minutes later the troop drew into sight, and on nearing the cadets a halt was ordered. The cadets then fell in at the head of the Hussars and, preceded by the band, the whale mrrohed down the street, the Ngatiporous bringing up the rear. The street on either side was lined with people, and from various windows and balconies ladies’ handkerchief, fluttered in the breeze. The troops marched down to Custom-house Street where an impressive crowd had assembled to meet them, and who greeted them with cheers. Here the troops were drawn up into line, with the Ngatiporous at the back. The officers then grouped themselves together and, after some more cheering, —

His Worship the Mayor, in the name of the citizens of Gisborne and the settlers of Cook County, welcomed them back. When they left they were clean and well dressed, and now they came back travel-stained soldiers. During the time the men were away we had followed their doings with interest, and were only too glad to see they had been successful; we hoped the men would always be equally successful in whatever they undertook, and that the same hearty welcome would be accorded them on their return. Ae those whom he was addressing were no doubt then tired and glad to get Io their homes, he would conclude with again wishing them a hearty welcome.

Hearty cheers were then given for the Hussars, Captain Winter, and Major Bopata and the Ngatiporous; cheers were also called for Major Porter, but the call was responded to in the reverse strain. STRONG STATEMENTS—“ TISSUE OF LIES ” AND “ ABBANT COWARDS."

Major Porter then said: —On behalf of the troop I have to return sincere thanks for the oompliment you have paid them, and to the citizens of Gisborne I would say you mty well be proud of the troop you sent to the front, for they acted in a way no trained troop need ever be ashamed of. They have all been willing and the success of the whois expedition is to be attributed to the willingness with which the men have backed ir, I am sorry to see that false reports have got into the newspapers—those reports are with out foundation. Not a single reporter came to me for information, they got their information from men who have proved themselves to be arrant cowards. They have been speaking to men we had to meet in the Bay of Plenty ; when those mon were called out to d-> their duty they shirked it, and had it not been for tnose men here Te Kooti would not have b.-en arrested now, I am sorry to hear men call * 'three gruaus for M ■ jor Porter" A report s >ys he rubbed noses with Ta Kooti, These are lies. [Three cheers were given at thia point for Major Porter]. I don't want any compliments to myself ; if you compliment the men, they have done their duty. I s.y again if these Hussars were not so willing no other force iu New Zealand could have the duty they have performed. As you have not yet seen a correct report of what occurred I oould not be surprised to see and hear anything of what might have occurred on the other side, I am not surprised to hear of matters occurring there which not (occur there. Nobody Came to any person in authority and asked what occurred, so they oould not know what actually occurred when we took Te Kooti, Captain Winter, I have to thank you very much indeed for your valuable services ; as for yourself I feel very much obliged to you, The order had only to be issued, and whatever it was it was carried out, I should only like to be alongside him whenever we go into real service. An unfortunate circumstance so far as we were concerned was that we could not do the same as we should be able to it the arrest were not to be made by the civil authorities. Captain Winter thanked them on behalf of the troop for the hearty reception ttiey had received, and he oould congratulate all those who took part in the expedition on its suecusful issue. It was not for him to speak of p-ilitioal matters, but he was pleased that the settlers of thia dis’riot had raised their voices against Te Kooti coming here. They (the men) had done their work in stopping his coming, fortunately taking him without any bloodshed, but the result was equally good. Many of the troop no doubt would like to have seen a shot fired, but that had been done without, He oould back up all that Major Porter had said with regard to the newspaper reports, Most of what was said was a tis«ue of lies. Ths reporter of the Stsndabd was never on the spot, he had got bis information from men on ths opposite si le—Men at Opotiki who had proved themselves cowards. Inspector Goodall “funked "when the Mtjor wanted them to go and follow him when they wanted to take Te Kooti. They (the troop) were simply under the instructions of the Police, otherwise they should have gone at once and taken Te Kooti. They were bound by the civil authorities who prevented them doing it. Major Porter proposed to go at once, but Mr Bush and Inspector Goodall had prevented them. He was sorry to hear some citizens call for groans for Major Porter. He did not know a man who had done more than Major Porter to carry the thing to a successful issue. The men all knew that. They would have a truthful report issued, and he should take care, if the editor would allow him, to see it and if there was anything in it that was not true he would have it struck out. Inspector Goodall proved himself a coward —he (Captain (Vinter) was alongside when they thought Te Kooti was at Oamarutu, Inspector Goodall “ funked ” it then and wanted tn get authority from Mr Bush. Major Porter said “ No, we will go straight to the pah and take him.” The men were kept a long time waiting on ths authorities. It was proposed they should go on straight ahead, but the civil authorities prevented them. Then when the report came in that Te Kooti was at Waiotahi, no notice wsa taken for some time. Te Kooti would not have been taken at the present time if it had been left to the civil authorities. (Cheers) Captain Winter concluded by paying a high compliment to the men (mentioning Sergeant Major Colebmrne in particular) and expressing a hope 'hat those who nad joined temporarily would anply for admission into the corps permanently, There was much further cheering and the corps was soon after dismissed. The Patutahi settlers have invited the Nga’iporous who went to the front to a feast out there on Saturday afternoon. SMOKE CONCERT. The Smoke Concert and eaiertajnment last night was a great rucoers, The usual toasts were proposed and drunk aad several speeches were made during the evening, notably by Major General Whitmore. Majors Porter, Westrup, McCready, and Ropata, Captain Winter and Messrs Graham and Carroll, M.H.R's, but the noise was so great that it was almost impossible to hear a word that was said. Major Westrup’s name was received with especial favor, tlsveral songs ware also sung, as well as “ waste's ” by the Mkoris. The spread was a very good one there being drinkables, eatables and tobacco ad lib, The gathering broke up at about 11 o’clock.