Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3279616

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Farewell to Lieut. Patjtolmes.

An enthusiastic gathering assembled at the Hotel Victoria on Saturday evening 'last, the 15th. instant, to

bid Ifarewell to Lieut. P. L. R. (familiarly known as "Pat") Holmes, formerly of the Munster Fusiliers,

who has volunteered for active ser-1 vice, and is leaving Darwin by the first steamer for England, via Singa-

pore. \

Captain J. B. O'sullivan, who has had 23 years service in the Austra- lian 'field and garrison artillery and light horse, and 18 months active ser-^ vice in South Africa, and who shares

with Lieut. Holmes the distinction ofv being the first to volunteer from the Northern Territory for active service, occupied «the chair, the guest of the evening being seated on his right.

Mr. James Cain' presided at the piano.

The (proceedings commenced with the usual loyal toast of "The King," the next toast being that of "Lieut. Holmes," which was proposed by the Chairman in a characteristic speech, prompted \evidently. by a commendable desire io say what was essential, and nothing ¡more. He said that he was pleased to have the honor of propos- ing' «the toast, but he was sorry that they were losing Lieut. Holmes, for in «him they were losings a white man, who «had not the slightest sign of a yellow Istreak in him. Lieut. Holmes, though in the "D" division of the Imperial Army, had not waited to be called upon,, and had not only volun- teered, but was starting for the front.

T*he (toast was supported by Messrs. Cleary, Bert Croft, Walter" Catt "(for- merly pf the Imperial Army)^ Morgan A. Marrinan. Stovell (a veteran of the American-Spanish Var), and J. J, Supple, and R. Butters, tormerlyr of ."The Scots Greys."

The ichief toast of the evening was most enthusiastically honored by the singinc ipf "Fox he'^s a 'jolly good fel- low." ' * 1

The Chairman also took advantage of the opportunity to present Lieut. Holmes with a couple of the best tobacco ¡pipes procurable in Darwin,

as a »mark of the esteem in which their guest was held by his mates at the i\ anile railway workshops.

Lieut. Holmes did not respond till the close of the evening. The toasty "Australia" «was proposed by Mr. Cleary, duly honored with the sing- ing of the song "Australia." This toast was responded to by Mr.- Myles Aloysius Kelly.

The itoast of "The Press" was pro- posed by Mr. Stover, and responded to by Mr. Fred Thompson on behalf of "The Northern Territory Times!"

Lieut. Holmes respondedf in a ¡heart-. felt manner to the toast of his health, eulogising the characteristics of the Australian people 'and the many friendships he had' formed , amongst them. He referred to the menace which Germany had been for years to the peace of Europe, and the stern though «costly necessity of endeavor

'ing to teach the Ieutons a salutory.

lesson. He thanked InV shop-mates at the i\ miles railway workshops for the .pipes they had presented'him with. .One of them he had broken, in already, and'it was alright. _ While smoking the pipes he would cherish the fond memories pf those who had present- ed ,him with them, and the many friendships he had formed in the Northern Territory.

Mr. Bert Croft proposed the toast of "Our Kids; the Australian Ca- dets," Which was enthusiastically hon-

ored.

During the evening songs were sung by Messrs. Catt, Leetch and the

Chairman.

The proceedings were kept going in an informal but cheerful and enthusT iastic manner for a good time after the Chairman and others had left the

The s.s. "Changsha" left Hongkong on 14th. inst*.* and is due to arrive at Darwin about 24th. -

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