Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Mrs R. Heaton RHODES
Presentation made in the Māori Hall, at Little River, Ellesmere.
PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN RHODES.
It had been intended by the electors in the Ellesmere constituency to make a presentation to Captain R. Heaton RHODES, M.H.R. for the district, previous to his departure for South Africa. However, as this was found to be impossible in consequence of the short notice, it was decided to wait until his return. Yesterday afternoon there was a representative gathering of ladies and gentlemen from all parts of the electorate in the Māori Hall at Little River, when Captain and Mrs RHODES were entertained at a banquet. Mr J. Bruce, chairman of tire Akaroa County Council, presided. After the usual loyal toasts had been disposed of, Mr H.C. Orbell proposed the toast of “The Navy, Army and Volunteers”. In doing so he said he considered that the colonies should staunchly support the Navy, and that it would be a proper thing for the Commonwealth and this colony to increase its subsidy to the British Navy. The recent war in South Africa had proved that the Volunteers could do something more than play at soldiers. He thought it was the duty of the Government to encourage the formation of rifle clubs, as marksmen were what would be wanted in future warfare.
The toast was responded to by Mr J. Montgomery, who spoke of the good work done by the training of Volunteers, and on their behalf welcomed Captain RHODES amongst them again. Captain Rose also replied. He said that the Volunteers had been tried in South. Africa, and had shown that they were quite able to hold their own.
The Chairman, in proposing the health of Captain and Mrs RHODES, said they were all extremely pleased at their guests’ return. They appreciated Captain RHODES’s self-sacrifice in going to South Africa. He had, previous to taking his share in the war, done excellent work in assisting in the training and despatch of previous contingents. They must all honour Captain RHODES for having gone to South Africa to share the hardships and dangers of the campaign. They could not, moreover, but appreciate the action of Mrs RHODES in agreeing to part with her husband for a time in order that he might serve the Empire. He then presented Captain RHODES with the following illuminated address, handsomely bound in album form, and signed by 600 electors: –
"To Captain R. Heaton RHODES. We, the undersigned electors, desire on the occasion of your departure for South Africa with the Eighth Contingent to express the cordial good wishes entertained by all towards yourself and Mrs RHODES, and to record our heartfelt appreciation of the great interest and unselfish services shown and given by you in all that affected the progress and prosperity of your electorate. We sincerely regret to lose you even for a time, but our admiration of the pluck and patriotism which prompted you to part with all that is near and dear to you in the service of the Empire has in a measure softened the pang which we should otherwise have felt. We look with pleasurable anxiety to your return from the front, and in the meantime we beg you to accept this address as in a small way conveying our appreciation of your very many sterling qualities, not only as our Parliamentary representative, but as a true, gentleman and sincere friend. Signed on behalf of the electors of the Ellesmere district".
The Chairman also presented a gold medal with the inscription: "Memento to Mrs R. Heaton Rhodes, Ellesmere electorate, of Captain Rhodes’s safe return", to Mrs RHODES. The toast was enthusiastically honoured.
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