Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 28/10/1902
Number issued: 3
Gold Maltese crosses, to:
3713 Trooper James COX
SOCIAL AT PAPAKAIO TO RETURNED TROOPERS.
The Returned Troopers' Reception Committee here deserve great praise for the very enjoyable function arranged by them to do honor to Troopers James and John COX, lately returned from South Africa. Though only one evening's entertainment was intended, there were really two for some people, for, as Friday last was so wet, the formal reception was postponed till Tuesday, and those who had braved the elements , had a free five-hours' dance to themselves to reward them for coming so far on such a rough night. Mr Porteous, of Enfield, kindly acted as M.C., and music was supplied by a detachment of the Papakaio Band with other willing players. It is hard to say which was the more enjoy able — the little impromptu dance on Friday with plenty of room for the 50 people present or the crowded one on Tuesday, when the hall was packed.
On Tuesday evening Mr Fraser, of Peebles, occupied the chair during the short concert which was held in the early part of the evening, and, in a short speech, told of the inception of the movement for entertaining the troopers, the calling of a public meeting, and the appointment of a committee to make all arrangements. The performers at the concert were Misses E.M. Borrie, Waugh, and Dorward, and Messrs A. McAulay, Dorward, W.J. Edwards, and F. Walters, while the Papakaio Band gave an opening selection. All the songs were patriotic or had some reference to war, as suited the occasion.
After Mr Steven's pleasant speech, the chairman made a short appropriate speech to the two troopers, welcoming them back from Africa, and presenting each with an inscribed gold Maltese cross, mentioning also that a cross was ready for presentation to Trooper George COX, who has not yet returned from Africa. The medals were fastened on by Miss Annie Fraser, after which Trooper James COX made a very neat speech, short and to the point, as a soldier's speech should be, thanking their friends for their kind reception and presents, and thanking them also on behalf of his absent brother. He was vigorously applauded, and the audience joined heartily together in singing "They are Jolly Good Fellows". After supper had been handed round, under the supervision of Mrs Fraser and Messrs J. Fraser and J. Godsall, dancing was begun and kept up till 3 a.m., Mr W. Innis making a splendidly active M.C., and the music being supplied by the Papakaio String Band, and Miss E.M. Borrie, Mr R. Wilson, and others. During the intervals songs were rendered by Mr David Borrie, and by a returned trooper (of whom a good many were present in uniform), and some good graphophone selections were given by Sergeant Stock. The Committee in charge of the reception, especially the energetic secretary (Mr J. Paton, jun.) have every reason to feel gratified with the splendid turnout of the residents of Papakaio and surrounding districts to honor the returned troopers, and they deserve great credit for bringing the function to so successful an issue. The gold crosses presented to the troopers were obtained from Messrs G. and T. Young, of Oamaru.
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