THE ASHBURTON VOLUNTEERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1434, 17 December 1886, Page 2

THE ASHBURTON VOLUNTEERS.

Advantage was uk n of yesterday’s holiday to hold a daylight parade. Thet wo co upanies fell in at the Drillshed shortly after 1 p.m. under Major Douglas, and were it soec-ed by Oolonel Bailey at 1.30 dm. The Titnarn C 4 rrisoo Band, nader Bandmaster Wolf, was present and led the force in column of roo'e down Taoored street, up East street and thence vii the Wakanai road to Hunt’s farm, where the men were permitted to fall oat for ten minutes after piling arms. The column having been refot med Oolonel Bailey gave the corps two boars asefal drill, including a variety of battalion mivemen‘s, a march past, and the fonr deep attack. The last named was made more interesting than usual owing to a ■ apply of blank ammunition having been served ont. Prior to dismissal the Oolonel addressed the men fo terms of praise and encouragement, expressing a hope that both companies would muster strongly at the Easter encampment and weald, in the meantime, work np their drill so thstthey might compare favorably with other battalions. They had done fairly well that day but of coarse there was plenty of room for improvement. The Guards’ march-past was very creditable, but that of the Rifles was not so good. Captains Dolman*and Kestell were in command of the Rifles and Guards respectively, and Lieutenant Jackson of the G Battalion (Timaru) acted as JuniorMajor. Captain and Adjutant Fooks, Lieutenants Brooks, Spa’r>w, and Muller were also present We must not emit to give Bandmaster Wolf a word of praise for the manifest, improvement he has (ff'Oted in the Timara Garrison Band, with whose performances there is now no room for the most captions to find fault.