THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3796, 24 April 1875, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Com l Jan y h » v « «very reason to congratulate themselves on having bid a satis* fMtejWeUtotbspbbll.. ment was marked last evening' by a ball and advantage taken of. the oScSJnfc S Captain J. M. Jamieson with the comnanv’s chow belt. Of tl.c b.,11 it is that it was one of the tuo,t enjoyable .that has been held in the City for a very long time Over eighty couples were present, and they enjoyed themselves immensely to the music of the Artillery String Hand under Mr B-iley’s leadership, which tilled the orchestra. The room, well draped with fla,s under the superintendence of Mr G. Ward, had a pretty appearance when dancing was at its height, and the name o! Mr Dunning is a guarantee that the catering was in excellent hands. The presentation was made in the interval by Mr John Cargill, who, in handing the belt to Captain Jamieson, expressed his regret that the company with which he himself had been so long connected as .captain should, have found it necessary to disband. They had acted wisely in Handing the belt to Captain Jamieson, because to ms efforts was owing in a great measure .the excellent position the Scottish had held, both as a well di illed 'and good .shooting com.puny. In replying, Captain Jamieson as* sured the company that the gift would be highly prized by him, and that it would serve to remind him of many pleasant hours and the companionship of many good fellows. The disbandment ot the company was i-Bin* ttedbyntnir more than himself, and. he had no hesitation in’ .saying that the lack.of esprit dc corps which, had, necessitated that step. was.wholly owing to its treatment at head-quarters by the Defence ; Gmcc-- (Applause.) Majorßathgatealso spdkei. Ho referred to his connection .with the company, and remarked that if their services; wore, ever required, the old Scottish would at once respond to their call, aqd maintain their reputa-, tion ot being the best and bravest company in! New Zealand. (Cries of “ oh.Among those present we noticed Major and Adjutant Atkinson, Captains Copeland; Wales, and and Surgeon BakewelL *

■ Major Atkinson will be relieved of the coin* mana of the Otago Volunteers at the end of this month, by which time, it is anticipated, hie successor, Sub-Inspector Bonan, A.C., will be abR to reaoh Dunedin, It is now over nine years since Major Atkinson was appointed to this district, and during his adjutancy he has had the satisfaction of seeing the force in its greatest strength and most effective state, and of knowing that his own efforts contributed greatly to those results. ' It is true that he severs his connection with it at a time when volunteering is under a temporary cloud, ariftitig from causes that must be patent to every one : but it should be borne in mind tall things conszdered) that the volunteers of Otago still maintain the premier position for the number of efficients and general efficiency at drill Whatever faults inay be imputed to Major Atkinson and u is impossible to get a man to fill the post wit bout at some time or other making mistakes volunteers will admit that Lis endeavor was always that of the soldier, fo do his duty, and that under his charge the work of the Otago district, which is nearly three times larger than any other district in the Colony, has beem well done. It should be mentioned that Major Atkinson leaves the public service voluntarily—merely because he considers the salary not commensurate with the duties : and responsibilities of the post. We are glad: to hear that steps are be taken with a view to marking, inh substantial Major Atkinson's connection with the volunteers o.'! ,?