THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 2830, 14 March 1872, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

There was a battalion parade last evening, at the conclusion of which the prizes won at the late meeting of the Otago Rifle Association were distributed by the hon. the Defence Minister. The force which was divided into five companies of seventeen files each, was exercised in battalion drill in the Octagon, Major Bathgate, assisted by Captain MTarlaud, of the artillery, and two sergeants,

aotlng the conclusion of the drill, | tfie>mein were marched to the new drill-shed-of the Artillery, which, whn the lit n filed into it and fo m'-'fl into square to receive Mr M'Lean, presented a very pleasing appearance. Colonel Cargill then stepped forward and observed that the volunteers were very pleased at seeing the Defence Minister amongst them, and at fie same time were thankful to him for undertaking to present the Rifle Association’s prizes. The Association was greatly instrumental in fostering the good shooting for which the Province had acquired a name ; and by its encouragmont of shooting, the Province was in a great measure indebted for its retention of the champion belt, Mr M‘Lean, in reply, thanked Colonel Cargill an I the officers and men of the battaiion for having selected him to present the prizes. It was to him very gratifying to see the interest that was tak-n in volunteering in the Province. Cf course the Otago volunteers had n-ver been called upon to <tefend their hearth and homes ; but they had proved themselves skilled in the use of the rifle. As to their dn Ihe could say nothing, because he had not had the onnortuniy of

witnessing it; but he cou d tell them fiat it was mainly owing to th ir su cess in shooting, and the exhibition of their skill in Auckland, that the spirit among the Northern men had received a console ab : e impetus during the past years. He hoped that in the future, as in the past, the Otago volunteers would maintain their cha acter for shooting, and so long as he held rhe office of Defence Minister, it would be his endeavor to do all he could to further the interests of volunteers. He complimented Colonel Cargill on the zeal he had displayed in furthering the movement, in which he saw that in this Province the spirit of determination, courage and self-reliance cn which everything depended, were largely cultivated. The events which bad occum d and were daily occurr ng in different part of the world showed the great necessity there was for every community to accustom themselves to a knowledge of drill and to the use of firearms. Mr M ‘Lean then distributed the prizes, and the ceremony concluded with three hearty cheers for the Defence Minister. TUE CAPETS The Hon D. \i‘Lcan, the Defence Minister, accompanied by Lieut.-Col. Cargill, His Honor the Superintendent and Major St. John, in pocted the Cadet cpros in the High School reserve this afternoon, at 3.30. The Cadets numbered one hundred, of whom sixty were pupils at the High School, and forty from the district schools. The different evolutions were satisfactorily gone through, but the proceedings were not over when our reporter was obliged to leave.