THE AUCKLAND RIFLE RANGE

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 218, 20 September 1870, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND RIFLE RANGE

A deputation, consisting of Captains Derrom, Jjatger, and Eees, waited on his Honor the Superintendent yesterday, respecting the rifle range at Mount Eden.— Captain Derrom said that it was the feeling of the force that the Provincial Government should do something to help in levelling the ground for the purposes of firing.—His Honor said the Provincial Government had no funds to appropriate for such a purpose, and that, when the range was granted, it was supposed that the Volunteers would do what was necessary in the way of its preparation.—Captain Derrom said that he believed the force would would be willing to subscribe to having the necessary work done; but when the range was formed, it would be used by every one—only the Cavalry Volunteers would assist with subscriptions, and the Narals and country corps would all come in and use the Auckland range free.—His Hoiior Paid that the whole of the Colonial Forces were under the control of the General Government, and the Provincial Government had nothing to do with them. Any money that the Council had voted, had been merely with a view to encourage the movement. The large votes of iha General Government this year were merely charges against the Provinces, and it could not therefore be expected that the Council would be inclined to pay in two ways for the same thing. He should have pleasure in placing a sum for the purpose required on the estimates, but would not hold out any encouragement that it would be voted. That the Jforce had a call on the public puree for assistance could not be doubted, and that the Assembly felt this was evidenced by the large increase of the Capitation grant. — In the course of conversation His Honor went on to say that he had urged in the House the abolition of the Militia, which he looked upon as an expensive and useless piece of nonsense, He felt that it was to the Volunteer Force tha tthe Colony must trust, and not to Militia, but there were too many Militia officers, &c, in the House to allow of the destruction of what was to them a living.— Captain Derrom said that the Auckland coi-ps had increased one hundred during the past three months, which was all owing to the encouragements lately afforded by the Government. —His Honor aaid lie had before urged on the Defence Minister the neevssity of encouraging the Vo>ameers, and he would again speak to hiui on the subject; indeed, the securing of the Mount Edcu Range hud proved his wish to do all in his power for the Force. Even- I tuaily His Honor recommended that the Volunteers should themselves put their shoulders to the wheel, and turn out and do a sma.l ' piece of cutting which the deputation stated I would optn out a 600 yards range, and that when the Defence Minister arrived, they could with a much better grac3 claim assistance in ' the completion of tho work. -The deputation ' expressed their belief tha' such n eouv-ii vvouM !<e (he bt'sl under Iho i-iiviiii.slituro , a :d after lli:i!ii\iiig His Hull ;' wit ;ilivw.

POLICE COURT.— Tuesday. [Befiro T. Henderson, Esq., J P.] DBTTNKENNESS. J. Bryan, H. Wilson, and A. Turner, were each fined ss, or to be imprisoned 24 hours. C. Brown, for being drunk and disorderly, was fined 20s and costs, or to be imprisoned 48 hours. YAGBANCY. J. Chappell, pleading guilty to having no lawful visible means of support, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. CITY BATES. J. P. Hamlin being charged with non-pay-ment of City rates due, and no one appearing to prosecute, the case was dismissed. The Court then rose.