The Evening Star. FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 393, 14 April 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1871.

If there were a few Captain James M'Cosli Clarks in the colony we should soon cease to complain of the want of spirit attending Volunteering. Not long since we had to record the firing of his company at Point Chevalier for a beautiful silver cup, presented by their captain, on which occasion the company were his guests ; and this morning we have witli great satisfaction to draw attention to the same gentleman's generous offer of a champion belt and a money prize to the Auckland Regiment of liifle Volunteers. It appears that some difference of opinionhadarisenmconsequeuceof'Dr. Campbell's decision that the champion belt presented by him should be in future competed for, not by the Auckland City Companies alone, but by the Volunteers of the province. However reasonable and natural the decision, warmth of feeling was manifesting itself among the companies assembled on parade, when Captain Clark stepped forward and made the generous offer to which we have referred. This is an occurrence that should not be allowed to pass without recognition. In times pastithas been somewhat the fashion to talk of Volunteering as " playing at soldiers," but the terrible events that have recently startled the world have told that the days of war have not wholly passed away, while the peculiar complexion of the most recent struggle has shown the power of a whole people armed. Still there are those without any spirit of manliness themselves, and with minds capable of running only in the narrow groove of self-interest, who still affect to smile inanely at the idea of self-reliance and of national defence, as embodied in our citizen soldiery. It is such conduct as this of the captain of our Ho. 3 Company of Auckland Rifles that stops the mouth of the scoffer and shows the reality of the movement. Such a gift is not to be measured by its intrinsic value, nor yet by the direct results in excellence of shooting, but has a moral influence, both on the Volunteers themselves au.l the public. We only wish that the spirit of Captain^ Clark would become epidemic, and that those who do not feel disposed to give their time and pains in personal preparation for the defence of the country would unite in showing such practical sympathy with a movement of so vital interest to the future safety and independence of the country.