ASHBURTON HONORARY RIFLE CORPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1536, 9 May 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON HONORARY RIFLE CORPS.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of the above Corps was held at the Borough Council’s old office last evening, for the purpose of receiving the report of the Committee appointed at the last meeting, and for other business in connection with the Corps. There was a fair attendance ot intending members, and Mr 0. W. Purnell occupied the chair. The Chairman congratulated those present on the patriotic spirit which had been evinced by those who had signified their willingness to serve their country at a time when it was not impossible their services might be required in actual warfare. He was of opinion that all intelligent persons thought that eventually there must be a struggle between Great Britain and Russia for the possession of India, and that it behoved them to be prepared for such an emergency. In India they had a magnificent country, won by the valor of their countrymen, and he was sure that every Australian inhabitant would be prepared t» sacrifice himself to retain it Be hoped, however, there would be no resort to arms, and that an honorable solution of the difficulty might bo arrived at without fighting. The object of the present meeting was to re ceive the report ot the Committee appointed at their lasi meeting and toj|fix a date when the list should be closed, and i h ir services offered to the Defence i lister. He would also suggest that a suitable name for the Corps should bo decided upon. The Hon. Secretary (Mr Gundry), said the Committee had been' engaged energetically in a canvas for the names of those who were willing to serve in the Company, and the result had been that 40 had signed the roll and that several others had promised to do so. The following gentlemen had signed, viz., Messrs W. B. Moss, T. Sealy, W. H. Gundry, 0. W. Purnell, W. Sparrow, F. Clark, W. Burfoot, W. Zouch, C. Reid, J. Purchase, D. McFarlane, 0. Hogg, P. Walker, S. Saunders, A. Connolly, Harrison, J. G. Rose, tt. G. Robertson, A. Craighead, gA. Orr, W. H. Collins, J. Tait, P. L. K. Hill, G, Meddins, E. J. Paul, W. White, R, Cullen, H. H. Stevens, A. Field, J. E. Buchanan, T. H. Zouch, P. S. Nokes, W. E. Marsh, J. R. Chapman, H. Stephenson, M Digby, G. Kidd, J. H. Clayton and Dr Leahy, The following resolutions were carried : “That the list should be closed _on Saturday evening.”—“ That an application be made to the Government to accept the services of the Corps immediately after the closing of the list.—“ That the Company bo called the Ashburton Guards.” —“That the names of Messrs Purnell, Leahy, Harrison, Saunders and Craighead be added to the Committee.” _

Mr Sparrow stated that the New Zealand Clothing Factory were supplying uniforms at prices from 30a to L 3. The Chairman announced his intention to ask Mr Walker, M.H.R , to urge upon the Government the acceptance of the services of the Company A vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the proceedings.