RIFLEMEN ANSWER THE CALL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2232, 19 August 1914, Page 6

RIFLEMEN ANSWER THE CALL

INSPECTION AND NIGHT MARCH.A grand response was made by tho Rifle Clubs' Reserve Corps to tho order ■to parado last night, and a muster of 200 rolled up to tho Drill' Hall, Ruckle Street. Tho total strength- of the .corps is now 240, and as fully half tho Petono section aro detained at work fulfilling Defence orders, practically every, other man put in an appearanco or sent ail adequate oxcuso. In tho drill yard tho_ company ivas drawn up into four sections, under tho direct command of Major H. Marshall, and was inspected by Colonel 6. F. 0. Campbell, Coast Defenco Commander. The inspection) was by no means a cursory one, for Colonel Campbell passed down each line, and spoke to every second or third man. „ He then btiaflj..addressed tho .rifle-

men, and expressed tho ■ pleasure ho felt when he. was notified, that such a tine body of men was to bo attached to the.Coast Defence Forces. Their patriotic spirit in acquiring a thorough knowledge of the rifle was now being appreciated, he said, aud everyone knew that the.y could be depended on. Ho ilid not anticipate that their daily workwould be interfered with in any way, but their names would be taken in order that, their .'services might be quickly called 011 if the necessity, arose. If they were needed for service in the field—and lie hoped they would not be— tho country knew they would do their duty, and he knew it. They would bo provided with a rifle each, and if they were called on, they would be utilised in the same manner as any other sectionof the Defence Forces., The.y would need some. military training, for manoeuvres, and he' understood they were it. Turning to Major Marshall, Colonel Campbell congratulated mm on tho fine body of men who had enrolled as a rifle club reserve. Expert Rifle shots. If there is one man proud of tho riflemen it is Major Marshall. As president of the Karori Rifle Club, and a member of the executive of tho Dominion Rifle Association, Major Marshall has taken a keen interest in rifle shooting, and the men who paraded, last night are similar to the hundreds of expert rifle shots all over the Dominion. Tliey were men mainly in the prime of' life, and not a few have seen. active service;-.. as well as done , duty in the old volunteer forces of, the.Dominion. They were all clad in mufti, but here and there could be seen a badge denoting military service. For the most part they carried rifles. 'Hieir rosponse to the orders given last night showed that already they make an efficiently trained fighting body. There was a large congregation of the publio to seo the and on every hand were beard expressions of appreciation at the showing of the corps. Tho inspection over, the company formed fours and set out,on a march through the city. Headed by the Highland Band, the company swung along through streets lined with spectators. Through Abel Smith Street, the force proceeded to Cuba Street, and the" long line ex-, tended over the length of two , city blocks. Halfway down this street the marching riflenen, the first lino of reserve, passed a company of Senior Cadets, assiduously training to be ready should the.y over be called out. to servo the Empire. ■ The lino of ; march was thence through Manners Street, Willis Street, and along Lambton Quay as far as the Government Buildings, and thence back to the Drill Hall, where the men. were dismissed, after a highly successful parade.