Although depleted during the last six months of one third of its streagth—men who have gone to the war—the Artillery can still fill every available unseat and saddle and yet have men to spare. Nearly a full muster sat down to dinner at the Palace Hotel on Saturday last, with their guests numbering over one hundred. Capt. R. W. Davis presided, and among others, there were present Mr. E. C. Pearce, Civil Commandant of the Corps, Lieut.-Col. Bray, and officers representing several other units of the S.V.C., the fire brigade, ete.
After the toast of "The King" had been proposed by Capt. Davis, Col. Bray proposed "The Battery."" He referred to the brief, yet very happy relations he had had with the Corps, from which he would soon be severed. He expected to bid them farewell in the near future, and, while he was looking keenly forward to the work before him, and was glad of the opportunity to bear arms again, he would leave the many friends he had made in the 8.V.C. with genuine regret. He had no fear for the future of the Artillery. Its reputation rested solely on its work, and he knew that the zeal that inspired every gunner would always carry the unit through.
Sergt-Major Mellows said that he responded to the toast as the oldest gunner in the Battery, not only in years but in service. The Corps would hear the news of Col. Bray's departure with very great regret. The Artillery especially had to thank the Colonel for much that it was, and the best compliment they could pay him would be to excel in whatever work came to their hand. They looked upon Col. Bray not so much as a figureh but as a friend, and it was that feeling they would bid him farewell."
"Our Guests" were toasted by Lieut. Hay, who remarked that it was the first time the Artillery had had the honour of entertaining either the Civil or the Military Commandant of the Corps. They were also glad to make the closer acquaintance of the dots of khaki they were so familiar with on field days, and he hoped that some of those present who had in the past excellently filled the role of spectators would take another and more honourable part in future manoeuvres.
Mr. E. C. Pearce, in responding, expressed the pleasure that he and the other guests felt in being entertained by the Artillery st their annual dinner. It seemed to be becoming © habit with him to meet the Artillery on parades. He not only knew them from the various reports he heard or read of their prowess in winning shields and other trophies, but he
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.