MAJOR-GENERAL WHITMORE AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1777, 27 February 1888, Page 3

MAJOR-GENERAL WHITMORE AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

(Auckland " Herald.")

We understand that Major-Genera 1 Whitmote has put himself In communication with Captain-Commandment Leßoy with referenoe to the miaoonduofc of certain NaTal Volunteers at the Dock, as repo-rted m yesterday's issue, for being lctoxtcated with arms m their hands, and for being conoerned In the attempt to xnsb. the storeroom where the drink waa stored. He has requested that office to investigate the affair, and ascertain the names of the offenders, with a view to their transmission to the Hon. the Defence Minister, so that he may take such steps as he may deem neceaeary. The General also brought under the Captain-Com-mandant's notice, the complaints made as to the foal language some of these men, while under the influence of liquor, were , guilty of m the presence and hearing of ladies on the ground. The General fi of opinion that the Volunteers should not have been dismissed to wander about with arms In their hands, with beer barrels on tap, and a drinklng-booth within a stone's throw of them, hut that the arms should have been stacked under a guard, or placed m safe oustody m some cf the buildings. When the circumstances are known, the bUme must be largely shared by others. When the dock ceremony was over, Captain Leßoy asked If the services of his men were faith.cc required, and was told that they were not. No official intimation was given him of the slightest provision having been made for refreshments for the men; It was accordingly determined before dismissing the guard of honor to give the Volunteers two hoars' drill upon the hill. Colonel Dignan, who is a member of the Harbor Board, saw the bungle which was being made m not making suitable arrangements to refresh the men, told Captain Leßoy hb would Inquire into the matter, and send a messenger to let him know if provisions were made for them. No such messenger came, and Captain Leßoy dismissed the parade. Some of the men had their families over there, had paid their own fares, and lost their day's work, he therefore thought it would be harsh to march them baok to Auckland. Most of the Waltematas and Navals did come back to Auckland at once, being thoroughly disgusted at their treatment. A ticket to the luncheon was glven-to Captain Leßoy, but his officers were told that " they mast shift for themselves," while the caterer offered, after the luncheon was over, to supply cheaply to the Volnnteera a repast from the remainder of the stores. The offer was not accepted by Captain, Leßoy or his officer. As a mattes of fact. Captain Le Roy declined to attend the luncheon, and when he and his offioert and a number of the men had left the ground the caterer (who only received hia instructions &t twelve o'clock m the day), provided a luncheon m the shed, Into which rushed a number of volunteers as well as hoodlums and loafers, who had no earthly right, to be present. Then succeeded the smashing of glasses, etc, the demand for more drink from the storeroom ; the barricading with forms of the approach to the storeroom by Mr CasseU's assistants, to prevent a rush; and the arlval of the police, who after a sharp ecpffld, summarily ejected the disorderly crowd from the shed. It was another case m which "someone had blundered." No blame la attachable to the caterer. He provided a capital spread for the volunteers who remained on the ground and were aware of it ; and how many guests were self-invited m the shed may be gathered from the faot that he supplied bo less than 200 people.