MEETING OF VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3935, 5 October 1875, Page 2

MEETING OF VOLUNTEERS.

.. A ? e .nerftl meeting of Volunteers was held at ■ U “ l }- sllt,d last evening, ('aptaiu Stavely in the chair. Between sixty and seventy members of the various local companies were present.

Chairman said the meeting had been oa.led for the purpose of eliciting an expression of feeling as to the desirability of sending rept esentatives to the rifle competition, open to the world, at Philadelphia next year. He thought it would be a very good thing if they could first-class marksmen to represent New Zealand. - Volunteer Douglas read a letter from Mr J. W. Walker, of Grahamstown, Auckland. The writer thought that about March next all competitors should meet and have at least a week’s selection practice, if the four best shots were selected to proceed to Philadelphia they could have another week or more of practice.—l ieut. Wilson moved—“ That Captain Wales, MH.R., be requested to use his influence with Sir Donald M’Lean for the purpose of getting LI,COO placed on the Estimates to defray tlm expenses of four Volunteers to Philadelphia to represent the Colony—two men to be sent from the North Island, and two from the Middle Island.—Corporal Treseder seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Lieutenant Mom thought they should commence a aeries of Intercolonial small bore matches with the other Colonies, as the facilities for travelling to Melbourne had been greatly increased. He thought the time had arrived when this Colony should follow the precedent established by Victoria and New South Wahs.-Corporal Treseder said there could be no question as to the desirability of hj ving these Intercolonial matches. Ho believed the failure of volunteeiing in New Zealand was owing to the manner in which the t Government had ttented them in regaid to their rifles. The best drilled men were always found to be the best shots. If the Government gave them small-bore rifles, a very lively interest would be created amongst the Volunteers—The following motion, proposed by Lieut. Mum, was o irried unanimously : That it is npw desirable that New Zealand should take part in the annual Intercolonial matches with the sister Colonies, and for the purpose of enab'ing the best shots in the Colony to take part in them the Government be requested to import from Home a number of suitable small-bore rifles—to bo distributed amongst the Volunteers for that purpose.” Corporal Treseder moved, and Sergt. MACGREGOR seconded—“ That the Government be requested to allow the Volunteers to reverse their slides on the back sights of their rifles, in accordance with the Wimbeldou regulations.” Tnis would enable the Volunteers to get a clearer sighting. Carried. The Chairman said that, though their meetings had not been very well attended during the last few years by the Volunteers, they had been very successful in the way of. shooting. He felt sme that when the new rifles were generally distributed there would be plenty of pluck to make the Association meeting in Otago second to none in the Colonies. (Applause).

It was resolved that tbe next annual meeting of the Association take place on Monday, the 18th iust., for the purpose of electing officers and arranging matches for the season. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.