The Evening Star. MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1871.

Auckland Star, Issue 378, 27 March 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDA Y, MARCH 27, 1871.

It is exceedingly gratifying to observe that the spirit of volunteering has received fresh life from the occurrence of the rifle contest. The latest development of the movement is among the people of North Shore ; and tonight the residents in the suburbs are to lake preliminary steps for the formation of a volunteer rifle corps. rJhe fiasco resulting from the last attempt at soldiering on the other side of the Waitemata should not disspirit the promoters of the present movement, but should serve to guard them from placing the guidance of the movement in the hands of stupid people, who take to volunteering only as an opportunity for gratifying their own self-conceit. We presume our North Miore friends will not again attempt anything so ambitious

as a regiment of Cavalry, and we are confident that a movement modestly and judiciously directed to the formation of a company of Eiflea on the j North Maore will be attended with: treat success. In no place around the city is thereto be found a more: desirable place for a rifle range than that presented on the outer beach, and if the North Shore Volunteers do not take high rank as sharpshooters it is not for want of facilities denied to others. In an excellent drill-shed, and plenty of ground for skirmishing and light infantry drill, all within a few minutes' walk of every resident on the North Shore, there are further important elements of success, and we sincerely hope that at the muster to-night there will be such a number not only of intending Volunteers, but of "friends and sympathisers, as will at once give stability to the movement. "We would venture however, to suggest to the promoters, that the most suitable branch of service would be a Company of Artillery for the North Shore. The position of that tongue of land, and the contour of its hills, point it out as the natural site of the fortification for the protection of Auckland, and if there is one district in or around the city that could lay claim to the special right of representing the most popular branch of the service it is the North Shore.