Volunteer Notes.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 386, 1 October 1903, Page 5

Volunteer Notes.

[By "Lyddite."]

Volunteers will no doubt be pleased to hear that the anuual camp will be held at the latter end of next month, the dates being from November 26th to December 3rd.

The annual inspection of arms by the armourer will take place on Dec 12th, by which time all arms must be in the orderly room, Within the past month the A.B.Y. has lost a fair number of members on account of their having left for other fields, the last one to leave being Sergeant Noble. In his removal from this district, the corps loses one of the best non-com's it ever bad, he being an enthusiastic volunteer, a good shot, and one who had the interest of the company at heart. We can ill afford to lose the services of men like him.

Corporal Clifford has been appointed to fill tne vacancy caused by the retirement of Sergt Noble. Lance«Oorporal Hewitt is appointed corporal, vice Corporal Clifford promoted. Both men deserve their promotion, and I take this opportunity of congratulating them on their rise.

In General Babington's report on the defences of New Zealand, there is much food for reflection, and I would recommend volunteers to study it. There is one statement of his that volunteers generally will cavil at, and that is the election of officers. He states that " this system places both officers and men in a false position and is utterly subversive of discipline, and that he is not aware of any institution where this practice pertains." Now, in any composite body of men such as a football, cricket, gymnasium, or any other club, there is always one man, elected (not appointed) leader, or captain, and who is elected to that position because, firstly, he has a thorough knowledge of the duties appertaining to that position, and, secondly, because the rank and file who elected him have confidence in him and treat him with respect. If on the other hand, a leader was appointed, and not elected, who did not gain the confidence of those beneath him» what sort of a discipline would there be ? I venture to say that the club would not last long. This applies equally as well in to volunteering. It is recognised that in the election of officers, the rank and file would only vote for those that in the ordinary walk of life they could respect, and also who in their opinion would make the best man for the position, and the discipline in cases of this sort would be of the best. In the interests of volunteers I trust that the present mode of electing officers will never be departed from.

About 30 of all ranks attended the church parade last Sunday evening at the town hall. There was a large congregation, and the service was conducted by the Rev. J. Hosking, who preached an excellent sermon.