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RETURN OF MAJOR HOWLAND
AND HIS BOYS.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.
MOUNT GAMBIER EN FETE.
GREAT EXCITEMENT.
That the life of a soldier, even of the most
civilised empire of the world in war, and in the
course of a victorious campaign, is every day
surrounded with unavoidable hardships and
many dangers has been made abundantly
evident to all who have followed the published
accounts of the South African war of the past
twelve months. But who shall say that there
are no compensations, at all events to those who
are fortunate enough to return? Samuel Lover
wrote many years ago in a well-known song
There's not a trade that's going
Worth knowing
Or showing,
Like that from glory growing
To the bould soldier boy.
And we doubt if there be one of the returned
members of the South Australian 1st Con-
tingent who will not admit that the welcome
they received from the people of Adelaide on
Saturday last and from the people of Mount
Gambier last night repaid them for many hard
ships on the Transvaal veldts. First the cross;
then the crown. In South Africa they bore the
cross, and carried it nobly ; in South Australia
this week they have received the crown - a crown
of welcome and honour from the people at
whose hands they could most appreciate it.
They well deserved it. They left Australia
thirteen months ago on the most important
mission that ever men left our shores to ac-
complish. They left to assist the armies of the
Empire in maintaining the prestige of Britain
in a part of the world where a presumptuous
race sought to minimise it; to defend the rights
of fellow subjects of the Empire which were
being injustly denied by a few arrogant Dutch
colonists ; and before they returned they had
accomplished this, and assisted to add an area
of 167,000 square miles to the Empire. They
were Empire-builders in a very real sense.
They fully deserved the warm and splendid
welcome they received. Unfortunately, all who
went away from Mount Gambier did not return.
One - the much respected and popular officer,
Lieut. John Powell-of the Mount Gambier
fourteen who left here in October, 1899, was not
among them:
Never the lotus closes, never the wild fowl wake,
But a soul goes out on the east wind, that died for
England's sake!
Yet the 1st Contingent, commanded by Major
Howland, were remarkably fortunate. To go
away 127 strong, and during a hard campaign
of twelve months lose only two men in battle
and three from disease, and have only one
wounded, and return 84 strong is something
to be thankful for. Of the balance of 46
-29 were invalided through enteric fever,
and have since fully recovered from their
illnesses, and 9 have remained in Africa.
THE DECORATIONS AND ILLUMINATIONS.
Mount Gambier excelled itself in the way of
decorations yesterday, and in respect of illumin-
ations last night. The townspeople have learned
during this year to decorate more thoroughly
than they ever knew before. In every street
was a blaze of the national colors. From
every flag pole-and there were scores of them
-floated flags-the Union Jack (the emblem of
the Empire) on the top, then the Australian
flag, then the Scottish lion rampant or the Irish
harp, and then the Stars and Stripes of
America-the whole indicating that wonder-
ful blend of Celt and Teuton blood,
and forecasting that Federation which is yet to
be, and which the 20th Century may witness,
when the English-speaking peoples of the world
will be united for the peace and prosperity of
mankind. From poles on every hotel and
every other business place, and from scores of
private residences, the flags were floating all the
afternoon and evening in honor of the resuming
soldiers. The displays of flags at the
premises of Messrs. C. MacKenzie, Saunders
and Begg, J. N. Goymour and Co., the Wer-
theim Sewing Machine Company, the Globe
Hotel, Mr. Kook (of the Dana Studio, who had
in addition to the British Empire flags one of
Denmark), and Mrs. Pascoe's were particularly
striking. Both stories of theE., S., and A. Bank
were draped with red, white, and blue, and other
places had long lines of flags fluttering in the
breeze. At eleven points between tag Com-
mercial Hotel and the South Australian
Hotel as many lines of flags crossed the
street. Commercial-street presented a very
gay and exhilarating vista to persons entering it
from either east or west, and the view of the
town from any point of the hill on the north
side was wonderfully attractive. From the
foothills of Mount Gambier it could be seen
that many people in the surrounding neighbor-
hood had flags flying over their homesteads.
Town and country were of one mind yesterday.
The illuminations in the evening were on a
scale of magnitude never before attempted here
The Reception Committee, at their meeting on
Tuesday night, finally fixed the line of march,
and publicly asked everyone along the route
who could to illuminate his premises. Unfortu-
nately, the notice was too short. Most people
did their best, but if they had had just one
week more Mount Gambier would have been
twice as brilliantly illuminated. All the same
Commercial-street was a blaze of light and
color. The windows of many places on
the route contained lights of varied colors, and
presented a picturesque scene of rejoicing and
pleasure, the like of which was never before
seen in the town. Besides this the street was
gay with Chinese lanterns and fairy lights, and
designs in gas jets, and although it was full
moon time the illuminations showed well, for the
night was clothed with dense clouds, which
threatened rain every hour. At the intersection
of Commercial-street and the Bay-road it was
intended a cross of about 300 fairy lights
should be formed. About 100 globes
were suspended from a wire stretching from the
upper story of the Mount Gambier Hotel to that
of the old Post-office, but in the course of the
afternoon the wind snipped the slender wire on
which they were suspended, and smashed many
of the globes. That spoiled that part of the
illuminations. The most brilliant illuminations on
the route of the processions were those in front
of the E. S. & A. Bank, the Institute, the
Town Hall, Mr. Jens's Town Hall Hotel,
the Wertheim Company's shop (in front of
which was a painted design giving the portraits
of the Queen, Lord Roberts, and the late Lient.
Powell, and a sentence of welcome in the centre),
Mr. W. Walters's, the Mount Gambier Hotel,
the Commercial Bank, the F.B.C. shop, Mr. A.
Rubenkonig's, Mr. A. MacArthur's, Messrs.
Fidler and Webb's, the Gambier Cycle Works,
and two or three other places.
WAITING FOR THE TRAIN.
People from the country began assembling
early in the afternoon, and poured in in hun-
dreds as evening approached. By 7 o'clock the
streets were filled with thousands of people, and
before half past 7 everybody in the town and
neighbourhood seemed to be crowded in the
vicinity of the railway station. At a quarter to
7 a special train, arranged for by the Millicent
military companies, arrived, and was cheered to
the echo by 700 or 800 people who were
around. It brought about 250 persons, of
whom 110 were military men. There were 78
men of the Infantry Company and 32 of the
Mounted Rifles. Soon after they arrived the
railway yard immediately around the station
was cleared, and guarded by the Mount Gambier
soldiers from the crowd, most of whom
assembled on MacDonald Avenue and
Helen-street, and awaited the start of
the procession. There were smaller crowds
at other places, especially at the State
school corner and the National Bank
corner. Probably 5,000 people were on the
streets at that hour. Between 7 o'clock
and the arrival of the train Messrs.
Mathews and Bray were busily arranging the
procession, so as to have no delay
after the arrival. Patiently did the people
wait, but it was not a weary time. The different
parts of the procession that were being arranged
in order formed a novelty, and engaged their
attention closely.
THE RECEPTION.
Presently the train whistle was heard in the
distance. It was earlier than expected. A tele-
gram intimated that the train had left Penola 23
minutes late, but the time was made up on the
way, for the whistle was not much behind time.
Awaiting the train on the station platform were
the Mayor (Mr. J. Watson), Ex-Mayor Mac-
Donald, the town councillors, the military
officers, including Major Davison, Capts.
Browne and Moore, and Lieut. MacKenzie,
and several other gentlemen, and a num-
ber of the mothers, sisters, and brothers
of the soldiers who were returning. How
they brightened up when the first whistle
was heard. "She's coming," seemed a general
exclamation, and some of them became quite ex-
cited. The last four or five minutes seemed
longer than all the previous time they had been
waiting. Presently the train steamed in amid a
mighty round of cheers, for the faces of Major
Howland and most of the returning men were
observable at the windows. Some of them were
called by name. "How do you do, Arthur?"
"You're alive yet, Dew," and other such
exclamations greeted their ear. Again and
again the cheering was renewed. The Mayor
and other gentlemen on the platform advanced
as the train drew to a stand, and met Major
Howland on the steps. He received a few
words of welcome and a cordial handshake from
each, and his men, who descended
from the train at the same time,
were simply overwhelmed with welcomes, some
of which were of the tenderest kind. When a
mother or a sister has not seen a dearly
loved brother or son for over twelve months,
during which time he has been engaged
in a severe warefare, the welcome home must
necessarily be of an intenser heartiness than if
he were merely seeking fortune in some distant
part of Australia. The welcome home by
friends so dear could not be hurried, and
it was at least ten minutes before
Sergt. - Major MacGillivray was able to
assemble the nine men who accompanied him
and had them ready to enter the drag which
was awaiting them. Major Howland was
conducted to the front of the station, where he
was provided with a splendid mount, Messrs
Ruwoldt Brothers' Stockman. He took the
saddle, and the rest of the returned campaigners
entered the drag, which was drawn
by four horses in charge of Mr.
L. G. Ehret. When Major Howland
and the other compaigners' appeared in Mac-
Donald Avenue the thousands of people outside
relieved themselves with a roar of cheering that
may have been heard for two or three miles.
THE PROCESSION.
The order of the procession was as follows :
Six mounted men Mount Gambier Squadron,
Band, with six men D Company on each side.
Tableau-Britannia.
Major Howland (mounted),
Orderly.
Two Mounted Men.
Drag with Returned Soldiers; six men from
D Company on each side.
Four Mounted Men.
Tableau-Australia.
Escort,
Major Davison (mounted).
Two Mounted Men.
Reception Committee.
Four Mounted Men.
Remainder of D Company.
Tableau-Scotland.
H Company (Scottish).
Tableau-Ireland.
Port MacDonnell Naval Reserve, with gun.
Millicent Mounted Rifles (dismounted).
Tableau-Canada.
I Company (Millicent) and Band.
Tableau-India.
Mount Gambier Public School Band.
Narracoorte Mounted Rifles (dismounted).
Mount Gambier Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Remainder of Mount Gambier Mounted Rifles.
It was 10 minutes to 8 o'clock when the pro-
cession started from MacDonald Avenue. It
was a long one; over 400 yards in length. And
it looked very picturesque, very interesting, and
very patriotic. The Mounted Riflemen, who led,
were well mounted, and looked very neat and
soldierly. The Mount Gambier Band, under
Mr. A. Cornish, numbered 18 men, and the
guard of soldiers on either side of them
prevented them being encroached upon
or interfered with by the crowd. The
"Britannia" tableau, representing the Empire,
was a striking one. In an elegant phaeton,
draped with red, white, and blue material, and
further decorated with national flags and other
emblems, and drawn by three fine grey horses sat
Miss Edie Ey, representing "Britannia." She
was dressed in a white flowing robe, trimmed with
gold, wore the Britannia helmet, and earned a
trident, as mistress of the sea. The vehicle was
illuminated with limelights. Major Howland,
who was mounted on Stockman behind, looked
well, though much browned. Lance-Corp. H.
C. P. Ruwoldt acted as his orderly, and with
two mounted men, rode behind him. Then
came the drag with ten other returned soldiers
-Sergt.-Major MacGillivray, Corp N. Mac-
intosh, Privs. M. Dew, A. E. Ewens, A. J.
Kilsby, W. Whitehead, D. MacArthur, and C.
Malone, Priv. Shearer (of Adelaide), and
Sergt. Grosser (2nd Contingent). A strong
escort of members of the D Company,
Mount Gambier Infantry, walked on either side,
and four mounted men behind. Then came
one of the best tableau of the procession-that of
"Australia." In an elegant federal buggy,
dressed with the flags of the United Kingdom
and Australia, and drawn by four grey horses,
Mr. J. C. Scott driving, was seated Miss Mary
Flett, arrayed as "Australia," in a white robe
trimmed with gold, and with a blue sash, on
which was the word "Australia" in white
letters, diagonally over her breast. She wore
on her head a gilt coronet. Behind her sat her
maid (Miss Trixy Hall), also prettily dressed.
Australia's escort were two stockmen (Mr.
G. F. MacLennan and Mr. Angus Mac-
Arthur), and a huntsman (Master Harry Scott),
riding grey horses. A black footman (Tibby)
sat beside the driver. A bannerette in the
vehicle was inscribed "Advance Australia.
Welcome home." On either side of the vehicle
was a kangaroo and emu in wood. Several
mounted men rode behind. The whole was very
typical of Australia, and was loudly applauded
as it passed some of the points where people were
congregated. Major Davison, who followed,
had an escort of two mounted men. The
Reception Committee, in a drag, were the next
in order, and had four mounted men following.
More members of D Company were next, and
looked smart and soldierly as they marched in
fours. The tableau "Scotland," which fol-
lowed, was a very picturesque and pleasing one,
and commanded much attention because of its
dressings, which were characteristically Scottish.
The vehicle was a drag, drawn by four fine
horses. It was very tastefully draped with
various tartans and flags and bannerettes of
Auld Scotia. Scotland was impersonated by Miss
Madeley (Port MacDonnell), who was attired in
purely Scottish costume of tartan. Near her
sat two pages (Masters Harrington and Haig) in
kilts, and behind her stood Mr. J. J. Harring-
ton in kilts as guard, with a broadsword by his
side. A collie dog was also in the drag.
All the tartan worn by those in the vehicle
was that of clan MacKenzie. The H Company
(Scottish, 49 strong), who acted as escort
for Scotland, were under the command of Lieuts.
Daniel, Williams, and Haig. Lieut. Mac-
Kenzie walked with them. Next came a
tableau representing Ireland. It was a hand-
some waggonette, dressed with green and flags
of Ireland and the Union Jack. It was drawn
by two horses. Miss K. Jens occupied a seat in
the vehicle as Ireland. She was tastefully
attired in green velvet with gold trimming, and
had a gold band round her head, and she was
leaning on a Celtic harp. Beside her sat two
little girls Hannagan, dressed appropriately.
Her escort was the Millicent Mounted
Rifles, who walked behind, under the
command of Lieutenant Stuckey. The
next tableau represented Canada. In a
pretty buggy was seated Miss Ada
Carrison, dressed in a white robe with gold
facings, and wearing a wreath of laurel leaves on
ber head. The Millicent Infantry, under Lieut.
Osman, to the number of 78, walked behind as
a guard of honor. They were preceded by their
band, of 14 players, under Bandmaster Gid-
dings. Next came the Port MacDonnell Naval
Reserve, six men belonging to the crew of the
Protector. They had a signal gun with them,
which was in charge of Gunner W. Carrison,
sen. The trolly they occupied was gaily dressed
with flags. The last tableau was "India," in a
buggy beautifully dressed with red, white, and
blue, and drawn by two horses. India was
represented by Miss Alice Knight, who looked
pretty in a costume of white and gold, with
Indian head band. She had Master Syd King
as an Indian boy with her. Miss Knight
carried a fan of peacock's feathers. The
Narracoorte half-squadron of Mounted
Rifles (on foot), under Lieut. Find-
later, followed, to the number of about
40. The remainder of the Mount Gam-
bier D Company closed the procession. The D
Company were under the command of Capt. J.
L. Heaver, and Lieuts. Boothey and Anderson.
Captains Browne and Moore (unattached)
marched with them.
The line of march was along Helen-street and
Wehl-street to Commercial-street, along Com-
mercial-street, Crouch-street, and Sturt-street
to the Port MacDonnell road, and along that
road to the Show-ground. At the State school
a crowd of 400 or 500 were waiting. Mr.
O. D. Jones, the head-master of the
school, was also waiting with his school band
of 35, and 200 or more of the rest of the
children of the school. As the procession
advanced the young people cheered with all the
vigor and enthusiasm of youth, and Major How-
land and the men acknowledged their patriotic
welcome. In front of the school a short halt
was made, and the children, under Mr. Jones's
direction, sang a verse of the Song of Australia,
and then one of " Home, sweet home"
very nicely. They concluded with three
cheers for Major Howland and his men.
Whilst the procession stood there colored lights '
were burned, and brilliantly illuminated three
large black boards on which were painted the
words "Well done; welcome," the school
banner, and a number of flags, &c., that were
displayed there. Then the school band joined
the procession, taking a place immediately after
the tableau of India. When Commercial
street was reached the street seemed to
be full from end to end with people,
and every balcony, two-story window, or other
elevated spot on the way was crowded with
people. The cheering as the procession moved
along was tremendous. At several places bril-
liant lime-lights were burned. Those used at
the Commercial Hotel, the Military Hall, Mr.
C. B. Flint's, and the Town Hall Hotel were
particularly bright. The procession took
nearly half an hour to do the march to
the Show-ground, which was entered about
half-past eight o'clock. On arrival there
the crowd which accompanied the procession
found a crowd in possession, who filled the grand
stand and every foot of ground avail-
able that was not guarded by men.
The Show-ground was lit with acetylene gas,
from the gate on O'Halloran Terrace to the
grand stand. The gas was laid on and managed by
Mr. A. Williams, the fitter for Mr. D. W. Mad-
dick, and gave much satisfaction When
the procession entered it went round the
horse ring, and was illuminated with lime-
lights burned at the judges' stand. The
view from the grand stand was a very pretty
one, and Major Howland and his warriors were
cheered to the echo. It was a dense crowd that
surrounded the grand stand. It was almost impos-
sible to get through it, and there was consequently
delay in getting the men who would welcome
and those to be welcomed on to the platform.
In the meantime a few splendid rockets were
fired, and other fireworks burned, under the
direction of Mr. H. E. Elphick.
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