Old-timers and pioneers of this city and district are the chief
centres of interest at the Exhibition to-day, and every possible
honour is being accorded the twelve survivors of that famous corps of
Royal Engineers who founded the City of New Westminster and assisted
in establishing a system of law and order in the Province of British
Columbia.
At one
o'clock to-day Mayor W. H. Keary, manager of the Exhibition,
entertained these pioneers at luncheon at his home. The members
of the corps present at the luncheon were Thomas Argyle, Rocky Point,
Vancouver Island; Samuel Archer, New Westminster; Lewis F. Bonson,
Port Hammond; Robert Butler, Victoria; Allan Cummins, Vancouver;
William Hall, Sumas; William Haynes, Victoria; Philip Jackman,
Aldergrove; George Turner, New Westminster; and Lieutenant Colonel
Richard Wolfenden, Victoria. Matthew Hall, of Sumas, and John
Musselwhite, of Chilliwack, were unavoidably absent.
Hon.
Richard McBride, Premier of British Columbia, and Judge Howay were the
only ones resent beside the Royal Engineers. After luncheon the
host, Mayor Keary, proposed a toast to His Majesty the King.
Premier McBride proposed the toast to "Our Guests: the Survivors
of the Royal Engineers." Judge Howay then read an
interesting paper prepared by one of the pioneers, Lieutenant Colonel
Wolfenden, giving an interesting description of the trip from England
to British Columbia, around Cape Horn, over fifty years ago.
At the
conclusion of the speaking special badges were presented to the Royal
Engineers present at the luncheon as souvenirs of the occasion.
A photograph of the group was taken, and the party was then driven to
the Exhibition grounds. This evening they will be the guests of
honour at the Scotch concert to be given in the opera House.
