THURSDAY NIGHT'S PARADE.

Evening Star, Issue 3339, 1 November 1873, Page 2

THURSDAY NIGHT'S PARADE.

To the Editor. Sir, —Any one witnessing the battalion parade last evening must have been disgusted with the scanty attendance of Volunteers belonging to the various companies. Certainly the members of No. 1 turned out well, but taking the majority of the companies present the attendance was shameful. There was not one commissioned officer present belonging to. the North Dunedin Company, and the lieutenant of the Scottish was the only officer present representing that company. Now, if the officers will not turn out;

the men cannot be expected to. The fault of the Artillery showing so small an attendance does not lie with the officers, but with the men. Volunteers have every encouragement from Lieutenant-Colonel Cargill and Major Atkinson. The former gentleman has kindly invited the Volunteers to march out and visit his Seaview Estate, and spend the day there on the Prince of Wales’s birthday. This is an offer which every Volunteer ought to accept, and feel grateful to Colonel Cargill for his kindness. Major Atkinson is ever willing to encourage the men at their drill, and I am sure he is very patient with them in looking over the many blunders they make. I hope, sir, that at the next battalion parade there will be a better show in every respect than there was last night. Apologising for troubling you, I am, &c., Spectator. High Street, Dunedin, October 31.