maj.txt typed by Bob WITHERS.
From "Fielder's Scrapbook" held by the Napier Library Museum.
PRESENTION TO MAJOR WITHERS (July 14, 1878)
The presentaton of testimonials to Major WITHERS on his leaving Hawke's Bay
took place last evening in the Theatre Royal. The weather throughout the day
had been exceedingly unpleasant, and towards evening it got worse, but
notwithstanding the heavy downpour of rain that came on just at the right time
appointed for comnencing the proceedings, the theatre was crowded. Even the
dress circle, which was set apart especially for ladies, and to which admission
was given by ticket, was completely full. Viewed from the stage the house
presented quite a brilliant appearance, the uniforms of the Volunteers in the
lower part and the large assemblage of the fair sex in the circle, presenting a
tout ensemble such as has seldom if ever been witnessed in Napier. On the stage
were displayed the testimonials to be presented. There were assembled Major
WITHERS (whose entrance was greeted with loud cheers), Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT,
Major RICHARDSON, Mr TUKE, The officers of the Napier Volunteer Artillery and
of the Engineers, and the whole corps of Artillery Cadets, under Cadet
Lieutenant IRVINE. The Volunteer Artillery and Engineers, having marched to the
Theatre, headed by the band, occupied the four front rows of stalls, and the
Artillery Band enlivened the proceedings with several selections during the
evening. Punctually at 8 o'clock Lieut- Colonel LAMBERT came to the front of
the stage, and presenting to Major WITHERS a handsomely iliwninated address,
written on parchment, read the inscription as follows.--
To Major Edward WITHERS, Commanding Militia and Volunteers,
Hawke's Bay District,--
Sir,
We, the undersigned officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Militia
and Volunteer forces, and settlers in Hawke's Bay, much regret that you have
received orders to remove to another district. In presenting this testimoniat
of our esteem to you, we beg to express our extreme gratification and thanks
for the kind and urbane manner you have always displayed in the performance of
your onerous duties, more especially whilst holding the office of Adjutant to
the forces during the native war from 1865 to 1870. In WiAling you itrewell,
we feel confident that your thoroughly soldier-like qUaIhies will comrnend you
to the inhabitants ofthe district to which you are ordered, and we trust that
you, Mrs WITHERS, and family may long be spared to enjoy the same esteem and
respect that you have earned from every section of this community.
--He said he felt very pleased to have beenn selected to hand to Major WITHERS
those testimonials - meaniing, besides the address, a silver salver and purse
of sovereigns) - of regard and esteem. He was sure he was quite safe in saying
that Major WITHERS had not an enemy in Hawke's Bay, and he would add that Major
WITHERS did not deserve to have an enemy. (Cheers.) His knowledge of Major
WITHERS dated a good way back. In 1865 when he (Colonel LAMBERT) was sent down
to take command of this district, he received great help from Major WITHERS, so
much help indeed that it made his (Colonel LAMBERT's) duty light. He had before
that known Major WITHERS by reputation as one of the gallant 65th Regiment, and
both from reputation and from his (Colonel LAMBERT's) own knowledge of Major
WITHERS, he could safely say that the Major was the beau ideal of a British
soldier. (Tremendous applause.) He met Major WITHERS again in 1869 and found
him still the same soldier, indefatigable and untiring in the discharge of his
duties. And as good a soldier as he had found Major WITHERS in quarters, in the
field he was just the same. (Applause.) As a proof he migbt mention that at
Omaranui the gallantry of Major WITHERS was highly commended by the commanding
officer. These remarks, though he (Colonel LAMBERT) spoke them for himself,
would, he was certain, be fully endorsed by many of those present. (Hear, hear,
and applause.) He would like to add more in testimony of the regard in which he
held Major WITHERS, but he (Colonel LAMBERT) was not a speaker. Like Major
WITHERS, he belonged to a profession in which deeds were looked to, and not
words - the sword, not the tongue. (Applause.) He now had the pleasure to
present to Major WITHERS the silver salver on the table and a purse of one
hundred sovereigns. Colonel LAMBERT concluded with reading the inscription on
the silver salver, which was as follows:--
"Presented to Major Edward WITHERS (late Captain N.M. 65th Regiment) by his
comrades and friends in token of their appreciation of his services during his
command of the Colonial Forces m Hawke's Bay, Napier, July 14, 1878."
Cadet-Lieutenant D'Arcy IRVINE presented the testimonial finm the Cadets, which
consisted of a gold pencil case. He said: Sir,--I have the honor to present you
with a gift, small, and of less pretension than the other marks of esteem which
you have received this evening, but, nevertheless, a solid and sterling
indication of the respect in which you are held by the Artillery Volunteer
Cadets of Napier. In this young corps you have ever shown a lively and
increasing interest; and upon all its members you have impressed the essentials
of a soldier's duty, and the conditions which alone can secure his ultimate
efficiency and success. Punctuality, precision, manly and soldier-like
deportment, loyalty to our beloved Queen, and fidelity to the country of our
adoption, are points and principles which will always be associated in our
minds with the name of WITHERS. We rejoice, sir, at your promotion, but we
regret losing from our midst a gentleman to whom we Cadets look up as to a
father and a friend, and of whom the whole of Napier-indeed , the entire
population of Hawke' Bay - feel justly proud. Pray accept, sir, not only this
gold pencil case from The Cadets, but also their heartfelt thanks for all the
care and kindness you have shown them. We wish you an affectionate and
respectful farewell. (Great applause.)
Mr KENNEDY desired to speak a few words, though what he was going to say was
not in the programme. He felt that he could not allow the proceedings to close
without expressing his hearty thanks to the persons composing that great
gathering in honor of his gallant friend Major WITHERS. (Loud applause.) He
had known the Major many years, and throughout the whole time he had ample
reason to respect him. (Applause.) First he knew Major WITHERS in Wellington,
23 years ago. Since that time he had been associated with Major WITHERS
intimately. They had had their fights together, but they liked each other all
the befter for them. (Hear, hear.) They had to thank Major WITHERS for what he
had done at Omaranui, and to honor him for it. (Applause.) Colonel LAMBERT was
there also. Major WITHERS, moreover, was entitled to thanks for the service he
had rendered towards the promotion of a taste for music in Napier, giving his
attendance two nights a-week in teaching music to members of the Musical
Society. (Applause.) He asked the people to thank Major WITHERS before his
departure, which would be a social loss to the place. (Renewed applause.) Mr
KENNEDY concluded with apologising for his going outside The programme.
The Cadets then gave three hearty cheers for Major WITHERS, and one cheer more
for Mrs WITHERS. The bugle call of H.M. 65th Regiment having been sounded -
Major WITHERS rose, and was greeted with several rounds of enthusiastic
applause He was evidently much affected and had difficulty at times to repress
his emotion. He commenced his reply by addressing the chairman (Colonel
LAMBERT), the officers, non-conmissioned officers, and privates of the
Artillery and Engineer Corps, and all his friends then present. He said he
need not tell them that that call stirred up his blood. It was the call of the
regiment in which he had served for 40 years, and in which he would feel an
interest throughout his life. (Applause.) He had to thank his friends for the
handsome testimonials which had been presented to him - testimonials which he
did not deserve. (Cries of "Yes, yes, you do.")
He first came to Hawke's Bay fifteen years ago, his duty being to drill the
Volunteers and Militia. He was told by a friend before he came down, "You must
not draw the rein too tight. You must remember that you are going amongst men
perhaps better than yourself some of them gentlemen." Well, he had found that
even if he had been so inclined there was no need for drawing a tight rein, he
met, from the first, with the greatest kindness from everyone. In every
instance all his instructions were promptly and cheedlitly carried out, and no
occasion had at any time arisen for his passing any censure, though he could
assure the meeting he would have been ready enough to have done so had there
been any necessity for it. Throughout there had been nothing but cordial
co-operation. Colonel LAMBERT had been kind enough to allude to his (Major
WITHERS') conduct at Omaranui, he could in return bear testimony to the gallant
conduct of Colonel LAMBERT at the same place. Colonel LAMBERT on that occasion
led the volunteers and Militia across the river, and the result they all
knew. (Applause.) At Omaranui, he remembered his friend Captain KENNEDY was
wounded, and it was with great difficulty he could be got to leave the field,
wounded though he was. (Applause.) He (Major WITHERS) was now going away from
among them, but to the latest day of his life, he would look back with pleasure
to the years he had spent in Hawke' Bay. (Great applause.) Never had he had an
angry word in the place. (Renewed applause.) At all times when he had desired
it the men turned out with cheerful alacrity. (Hear, hear.)
He would always look to those testimonials with feelings of profound gratitude,
not for their intrinsic value, considerable though it was, but as marking the
spirit that prompted their presentation and the feeling entertained for him by
his warm friends in Hawke' Bay. (Cheers) And when he was dead and gone his
children would point to those testimonials with pride and
gratification. (Renewed cheers.)
Major WITHERS then addressed Cadet Lieutenant IRVINE and the Cadet Corps,
thanking them for the testimonial they had presented to him, and assuring them
that he would keep it during his life as a memorial which would always be a
source of gratification to him, and which he would hand down to his children as
an evidence of the esteem he had gained from the yotmg corps. He had always
felt great pleasure in inspecting the Cadets, having found them at all times
obedient, and anxious to learn. He was glad to see they were increasing in
numbers. At one time the corps had dwindled down to a very insignificant
number, but now he was happy to say they were both numericalty and in conduct
quite a respectable body. He would impress upon them that they should attend
diligently to their duties, so that they might grow up into good soldierly
men. They ought to be proud of their lieutenant. He was really a most excellent
officer, and contributed in no small degree to render the Cadets efficient; his
reports were brought up with a regularity that was beyond praise, and they
could not be better drawn if they were for presentation to the Horse
Guards. (Applause.)
He (Major WITHERS) was himself very proud of Cadet Lieutenant IRVINE. He could
not, in fact, have done without Lieutenant IRVINE, and would always think of
him and the Cadets generally with feelings of pleasure. (Prolonged applause.)
Major RICHARDSON then presented to Major WITHERS a very Handsome epergte, as a
testimonial from the ladies of Hawke's Bay. He said he felt it to be a high
compliment to himself that he had been debuted to make the presentation. He and
Major WITHERS had served together, and no one could esteem Major WITHERS better
than he (Major RICHARDSON) did. He then read the following note accompanying
the testimonial:--
Dear Sir,--This testimonial is presented to yourself and Mrs WITHERS by a
number of your lady friends in Hawke's Bay. Whilst regretting that duty calls
you away from the ties and associations you have built up during your long
residence amongst them, they sincerely trust your fitture career will be as
propitious as heretofore, and remain with kindest wishes for the welfire of
yourself and Mrs WITHERS.
Major WITHERS begged to offer his very sincere thanks for the handsome present
the ladies of Hawke's Bay had been kind enough to give him. He would always
remember with pleasure the years he had spent in the district, and the very
pleasant time he had had, particularly at the rehearsals of the Musical
Society. Those would always be the most pleasurable reminiscences of his
life. He used at one tine to attend those meetings twice a week, and on those
occasions there was not one absent. He hoped the society would soon be
revived. (Hear, hear, and applause.)
Major WITHERS then addressed the Engineers, expressing his sorrow that he was
not able to stay and inspect them. They were a very promising corps, and well
officered. Some of their officers were experienced in their duties from having
been in the other local corps, and one officer - Mr MASTER - had served in
Taranaki, and that was an advantage, for the Taranaki Volunteers had seen more
service before the enemy then any other corps in the colony. Next came the
Militia and Volunteers of Hawke' Bay, and he included amongst them those of
Wairoa. (Hear, hear.) He remembered when TE KOOTI came down upon Mohaka the
Wairoa Volunteers put sentinels in places where the risk of being killed was
most iffirninent. Yet the men did their duty fearlessly (Applanse.) Mohaka was
of course gone then, but they were doing what they could to keep Wairoa, and he
would appeal to Colonel LAMBEN whether those men did not do their duty well.
(
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