THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3310, 29 September 1873, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

We have not space to print in full the recommendations of the select committee on the Volunteer force; but in glancing over them, noticed that the following suggestions had been omitted from the sketch supplied to us by telegraph the other day. The committee consider tkat the question of improving the arms now on issue should be considered ; and the Home Government should be applied to for a supply of battery guns now disused by the Ordinance department; that the entire Colonial force should be at once armed with the Snider ; that mounted corps should be armed and drilled as mounted infantry, and that all corps, where practicable, should be instructed in the use of held and siege guns ; that the challenge shield, now in possession of the Government, should be competed for annually in a Colonial match, open to all comers being efficient volunteers ; equal capitation for all branches of the service (cadets excepted), viz, L 3 a man ; eight inspections and twelve ordinary drills required to entitle a volunteer to full capitation ; one-third of the enrolled strength to count as a parade; onethird of the capitation money to be disposed of by the Finance Committee of the company, for general company expenses, subject to the sanction and concurrence of the officer commanding ; 2s fid to be paid to each volunteer under arms at an inspection parade at the conclusion thereof. Uniformity of dress is strongly recommended, and the following fixed uniform submitted : Cavalry—Same uniform as rifles, except riding breeches. Artillery—Same as Dunedin or Wellington batteries. Engineers—Same as rifles, with distinguishing badge. Rifles —Grey cloth, cap, tunic, trousers. Naval - Same as Port Chalmers Naval. Cadets —Same as branch to which they belong. No corps enrolled after the date of the issue of regulations to draw capitation unless clothed in regulation uniform. Battalions allowed distinguishing facings ; but companies forming battalions to be distinguished only by the number on their caps. Corps already uniformed to be allowed to wear their present uniform and draw capitation for two years subsequently to the issuance of the new regulations, but, thereafter, to be disqualified from drawing capitation unless the Government uniform is adopted.