VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 80, 11 April 1870, Page 2

VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

The annual, inspection and review of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers took place this morning at the Albert Barracks at half-past six, in the presence of Lieut.-Colonel Harrington. Taking into account the state of the weather and the early hour, there was a fair muster of members, about a hundred and fifty having put in an appearance. Every officer was at his post except two—Captain.Heaphy, who is on duty at Napier,.and Captain Tole, who is laid up by sickness. The volunteers formed into line, and the gallant colonel made the usual inspection of arms and accoutrements, when the men marched twice before him. Captain Derrom, as senior officer, was then directed to put the corps through the various evolutions, manual and platoon exercise, forming in open cOlumn, deploying in line,; skirmishing, &c, two companies skirmishing and two supporting. The volunteers then forming in close column on the reserve, Colonel Harrington addressed them at considerable length, and in a very telling manner, the gallant colonel having skill in eloquence as weU as the use of arms. He lamented the apathy shown by tbe people of Attpkland as to volunteering, and showed the necessity for attention to the use of arms, and.-^feparation for the defence of the country —notsjmply against internal and native dangers,' ITO'". against foreign invasion; In the circumstances in which New Zealand is now placed, he urged the men to continued attention' to' (duty, and hoped that they should be prepared on the Queen's Birthday to meet the various corps from the outlying districts and do credit to themselves in a general review. He assured them he personally took a deep interest in the volunteer movement, and promised that if stationed in the district he should give them every assistance in his power.

The proceedings closed about nine o'clock. There were not many spectators present, and there can be no doubt that had if been a more seasonable hour—in the afternoon—there would have been a much larger muster both of citizens and citizen-soldiers.'