The distribution of prizes won by members of this Company at their Autumn Rifle meeting took place on Saturday evening last. The function being combined with a Company dinner, over 60 members and guests sat dows to enjoy the good fare provided by the Hotel des Colonies.
There were present as guests, Major Watson, Major Keswick, and Capt. Collier, and N. C. Officers from the A," Customs, German, and Japanese Companies. Major Brodie Clarke, of the Staff, and Sergt. Bennett, of the Mounted Infantry were unable tobe present, whilst Major Wedemeyer was caught by " "Tartar" and was also prevented.
After dessert, Capt. Traoman opened proceedings by giving "The 3 of our Respective Nations," which was received with musical honours and cheers intermingled with "Hech" and Banzai." Some musical items were rendered, and then the Captain called upon Major Keswick toipresent the prizes, tnentioning that at one time Major Keswick was an officer of "B® Ca., which made it still more of s pleasure to entertain him asa guest. The Major then proceeded with the distribution to the fortunate winners, which ho did in his usual happy way. At the conclusion of this ceremony Lieut. Burns proposed the Majors health which was honoured with enthusiasm, all present voicing the opinion that " He's a jolly good fellow." In his racy reply, Msjot Keswick emphasised the fact that"young mon and even older men could always learn something, and that even to know one end of arite from the other was beneficial especially in Shanghai; therefore more men should join the Corps and be competent to take part in the defence of life and property if need be.
The health of the commanding officer was given by Col-Sergt. Pearson, who took the opportunity of drawing attention to the necessity of " fuller supply of overcoats for the N. C. ivi reason that since thi called the backbone of the army it must be the same with the 8. V. O. and that therefore if the vertebrae of the Corps are not properly protected all sorts of ills may develop in the body attached. At the same time the position of the C. O. was appreciated as he' was between two forces—the Council on the one hand studying economy and the Corps on the other always wanting "more." In replying Major Watson eulogised the Council by saying that whatever he asked for: on belait of the. Corps he got, and promised that the overcoat question should be answered in o satisfactory manner, which statement was received with prolonged applause. The " Guests" was given by Sergt. Gordon in " happy manner, and he called upon " B" Company, to drink the toast with " Highland Honours" which was successfully accomplished without accident. Capt. Collier replied, calling upon Volunteers to take their position seriously and instead of saying " What is the use of my turning out?" to say, "If I do not go the parade will bea failure." If everyone said this Corps would turn outtes man. After Major Watson had called upon the guests to drink to the prosperity of " B" pany, and Capt. Trueman had thanked on behalf of the Company, an enj ovening was brought to a close by singing "auld Latig Syne" and God Save the King," and the Comjany retired in good order after inflicting severe damage to the viands of the hotel and leaving a fair number of "dead marines" behind.
The musical programme was rendered by '~7 Burns, Col.. Pearson, Sergt. Mansfield, Corp. Miller, Pte. Patrick, Pte. Bell, and Mr. Harbour.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.