THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE COLONY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2682, 21 September 1871, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE COLONY.

In his annual report, tho Inspector of Militia and Volunteers states that, in June, 1870, tho strength of the volunteers in the colony was 5,407, of which number 3,811 qualified themselves for capitation allowance. This number gradually increased till, on 31st March, 1871, there were 6,508. of which number, 4,880 received capitation money, being an incr ase of 1062 efficients in the year. This excess, he says, may be attributed 'to the increased capitation allowance, which was raised from 25s for all corps, to the original grant of L 3 to cavalry and artillery, and 60s to rifle volunteers, as well as to the encouragement given to the whole movement by the liberal grant of the Legislature towards -the colonial prize firing. In the North Island, the Militia Act, being in operation has also had the effect of increasing the numbers, and especially in some of the country districts. The returns show the percentage of enrolled and efficient volunteers in 1860, 1870. and 1871, by wdiich it will be seen that the proportion of efficients has increased from 51 per cent, in 1860 to 74 per cent in 1871. Concerning the Otago Volunteers, Colonel Harington reports : —Tho Province (exclusive of Southland) contains one artillery, thirteen rifle, and two naval corps, besides cadets, amounting together on Maich 31 to 1140, of which number 845 were qualified for capitation allowance. The spirit of volunteering does not seem to have nisbed, but on the contrary has extcnded^J all parts of the Province At ray inspection I found the Dunedin Artillery had lost none of their former efficiency either in appearance or drill, whilst their excellent shot and shell practice showed that they had not relaxed their attention to this practical part of their duties. With regard to their rifle practice, it will be seen on reference to return 1 that they are one of tho best shooting corps in the Colony. The Dunedin Naval Volunteers made good practice with their howitzers, and the Port Chalmers naval corps were steadier than last year. The rifle companies were on the whole good at their drill, and have all paid great attention to rifle practice. A large proportion have attended a course of class firing. One peculiarity worthy of observation is the great interest evinced in rifle pvactica by the country corps of this Province, and I must especially bring to your notice tho East Taicri Company, composed of 43 enrolled members ; of this number 41 attended class firing. 33 becoming first class men, and 28 marksmen. . . . Speaking of the cadets, the Inspector says “if their training is to be made really effective, the regulations must I e materially altered, and made more stringent. The number of drills is not nearly sufficient, and they should be more consecutive, as boys quickly forget what they have learnt between the periods of instruction, when they are at long intervals. In order to give them a better carriage and generally improve th ir physical condition—a course of setting up drill is most essential before arms can be placed in their hands. This cannot now be carried out with the limited number of drills entitling them to capitation allowance. ... In Otago 1 saw about 100 boys of the district -chools, who had a fair knowledge of some of the preliminary drills ; but they all require more frequent parades.”