Medals and awards

A very pleasant incident took place towards the close, when Mr John Clarke, on behalf of the Wairuna people, presented Trooper FRANCIS with a handsome gold watch chain and pendant. The present, Mr Clarke said, was a gift from the trooper's old school mates and a few other admirers, who felt they would like to signal their friend's homecoming in some way. Trooper FRANCIS had been severely wounded in the leg, and for his restoration to health and safe arrival home they were all thankful.

Trooper FRANCIS, who was visibly affected, in reply, said he was in a tight corner this time, and could not get out of it without saying a few words. He thanked the people of Wairuna for the splendid present they had given him. He would always treasure it as the most sacred of his belongings. He also thanked them for equipping him for the front. He had tried to do his best while there, but was not sorry to be home amongst them again.

The Chairman then explained that the Clinton people, not wishing to be behind their Wairuna friends, had obtained gold medals for their men, and then called on Mr J. Garden to make the presentations. This Mr Garden did in suitable terms.

In reply, Trooper CAIRNS said he did not know how to thank the Clinton people for their kindness to him, both now and before he went away. He hoped he had given satisfaction; if not, it was his own fault, for he had everything a trooper could desire — good health and a good horse. His horse had carried him right through the campaign, and at the close he handed it over to one of the seventh contingent men. He again thanked them all for their kindness, and did not think he would leave New Zealand again.

Trooper McKAY also said a few words of thanks. Cheers were then given for the troopers, after which all joined in singing a verse of "God Save the King".

TROOPERS' WELCOME HOME AT CLINTON.

Troopers S. CAIRNS and D. FRANCIS, of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents respectively, who returned by the Tagus, were entertained at a welcome home social at Clinton on Tuesday evening. The first-named was equipped by the Clinton people, and went through the whole campaign with his contingent. To use his own words: "If he did not do his duty it was his own fault, for he enjoyed the best of health and had an excellent horse". The horse he took from New Zealand stood him right through from start to finish, and when the contingent got orders to return to New Zealand, it was trucked along with a number of others to the Sixth Contingent, who had arrived at the seat of operations shortly before. Trooper FRANCIS, it may be remembered, was wounded. A Mauser bullet went through his shin bone, drilling a clean-cut hole about large enough for a lead pencil to pass through. Of course, he was taken to the Field Hospital, and was eventually sent down to the hospital at Kimberley. In two months' time he made a complete recovery, and was able once more to join his comrades in the fighting line. With this exception he practically enjoyed good health all the time.

The welcome extended to them on Tuesday evening proved a highly successful affair. The hall was decorated with flags, and three long tables down the hall, and one across at the top were loaded with a variety of excellent eatables, provided by the ladies of Clinton and Wairuna. Mr Angus McDonald made a capable chairman, and carried through a programme of songs and speeches in a manner that left nothing to be desired. A blessing having been asked by the Rev. Mr Blair, full justice was done to the good things provided.

Addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. Mr Blair, and Messrs Jas. Begg, J. Henry, Thos Taylor, J.B. Thomson, J. McPhail, and D.T. Fleming. Those who contributed to the musical portion of the programme were Miss Francis, and Messrs Stewart, Muir, Beath (a brother of Trooper BEATH who lost his arm), Napier, and Gardiner, while Mr Cuff gave a recitation.

The Chairman said that though they had come to the end of their programme there were some important duties to carry out yet. The Wairuna people had determined to present Trooper FRANCES with some tangible memento, and he would call upon Mr John Clarke to make the presentation.

Mr Clarke said he was rejoiced to be present and take part in that gathering, and proceeded to say that Trooper FRANCIS' Wairuna friends had made up their minds that they were not to allow the occasion to pass without presenting him with a token of their appreciation of his services, and of their thankfulness, also, on his safe return. (Applause). This took the form of a gold albert and pendant, and he hoped Trooper FRANCIS would live long to wear it. (Loud cheers).

Trooper FRANCIS said he would rather be under fire than make a speech. He did not think he did much to deserve this recognition. Both the Clinton and Wairuna people had been very kind to him, and he thanked them very sincerely for their gift. (Applause).

The Chairman said the Clinton people were not to be behind the Wairuna people, though their gifts to the two men who went from Clinton, Trooper CAIRNS and McKAY, would not be more valuable than the Wairuna one. He would call upon Mr John Garden to make the presentation.

Mr Garden said on behalf of the Clinton people he had to present Troopers CAIRNS and McKAY with a gold Maltese cross (suitably inscribed) each. He felt he could not do justice to his task after all the Long Toms and pom poms they had listened to that evening. (Laughter). They fully recognised the manly way in which their Colonials had acted the soldier and done their duty, winning high praise from those in authority. He had much pleasure in presenting gifts. (Cheers).

Trooper CAIRNS said he did not like this. (Laughter). He thought the Clinton people did enough for him when they equipped him. He hoped he had done his duty. If not, it was his own fault, for he had had good health and a good horse. (Applause).

Trooper McKAY thanked them for their gift which he said he would always wear and prize as a mark of their kindness. (Applause).

Three cheers were then heartily given for the returned troopers. Votes of thanks were proposed to the ladies by Mr G.B. Watt in a humorous speech, to the speakers and singers by Mr Jno. Begg, and to the committee by Mr J.R. Roy, and this portion of the proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.