VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 3616, 24 September 1874, Page 3

VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

The long-expected new regulations have at last seen the light; and judging by a hasty glance over them, they are eminently adapted to place the force in a proper state of efficiency. We are especially pleaded with two regulatiaus. The first is, that before anyone can hold a commission under the rank of captain he must pass “satisfactorily” an examination ‘ as to his knowledge of squad and company drill, the manual and firing exercise, and his ability to put his company through both, and will be required to tell off and prove his company and to take the lock of a rifle to pieces, and Eut it together again,” A captain to entitle im to a commission, must be able “ to put his company through squad and company drill, rifle and bayonet exercises, and skirmishing drill,” and to pass an examination as to kis general knowledge of the Volunteer Acts and regulations. In all cases officers must give a proper attendance at company drills and parades, and failure to attend the drills prescribed for efficieufYolunteers involves the loss of commission. Equally important is the future definition of an “ efficient Volunteer,” who must now have a “ competent knowledge” of squad and company dri’l, including the manual, firing, and bayonet exercises; also skirmishing. Artillerymen mast possess a knowledge of gun-drill and of the general duties of a gunner; and naval volunteers besides a knowledge of gun drill and the general duties of a gunner, must know how to manage a boat, either by sailing or rowing. The addition of the word “ competent ” is what Major Atkinson has striven for lor years.