ASHBURTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1444, 31 January 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

The annual meeting of the Ashburton Rifles was held at the Arcade Chambers last evening. Captain Douglas occupied the chair, and about a dozen of the corps were present.

ANNUAL REPORT. The Chairman said ; —Nothing of much moment has transpired during the year. As you are aware, the company was re’ presented at the encampment last Raster, and it is hoped that a much larger number will attend the forthcoming camp at Winchester. A meeting of Volunteer officers was held at Christchurch some months ago,'to consider proposed amendments in the Volunteer Act and Regulations, and more recently a number of staff officers held a Conference in Wellington on the same subject. 1 here can bo little doubt that the result will be to improve the position of the country corps, and to remove at least some of the disadvantages under which we now labor, The capitation for the past year amounts to L2B 15s, only twenty-three members having made themselves technically efficientfor the year; this fact being of course due to the peculiar and absurd nature of the present regulations.

BALANCE SHEET. The balance sheet showed that the revenue, including balance of L 42 12s 8d brought forward, amounted to L 77 6a Bd. The expenditure was L 67 3a Id, the principal items being recruits’ uniforms, L3l 6s 9d ; canvas kit bags, LlO 6s 6d ; ammunition, L 8 Is ; -belts, <S^c., L 5 Is 2d.

COMMITTEE. The following committee were elected : Lieuta. Dolman andFooks, Col.-Sergeant Hayes, Sergt, Nelson, Corporal Leach, Private Mulaney, and Corporal Dunn.

AUDITORS. Corporal Dunn and Private Field were elected auditors.

BAND. A hearty vote of thanks and a grant of L 5 was accorded to the Ashburton Brass Baud for their valuable services. MISCELLANEOUS. It was decided to abandon the collection of monthly subscriptions, and to refund the sums paid in 18S4. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.