RE-ORGANISATION OF THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 37, 25 October 1882, Page 3

RE-ORGANISATION OF THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

Circular. — Sir: I am directed by (he Hon. tlie Defence Minister to inform you that certain changes in the constitution and organisation of tlie Volunteer force will take place from (he Ist of January, 1683, and in order to save time, and give <erery opportunity to members of Volunteer corps to discuss and consider the new regulations under which they will have to serve, the principal points will be briefly detailed : — 1. Volunteer corps will be divided inlo two classes, viz., (1) Garrison or bead- , quarter corps ; (2) country corps. ; 2. Giirrison corps are such as form part of the fixed establishment the Government consider necessary for the service of the colony. 3. Country companies are all ovher corps whose services arc continued but not included in the fixed establishment. 4. The qualification lor capitation lor garri?on corps « ill be as follows : (a) Attendance at twelve Govern meat pa- 1 Fades of not less than two hours' ura- • tion, one hour of which must lie devoted ' absolutely* to drill. Four of the parades j must be held in daylight, (b.) To fire in ■ Ist and 2nd class periods of target prac- I tice, and go through the first and second periods of judging distance drill. 6. For country corps members to qualify for capitation will have to attend one inspection of arms, accoutrements, etc., in eacli quarter, and undergo not less than one hour's drill, and also fire in the Ist and 2nd periods of target practice, and go through the Ist and 2nd periods of judging distance practice. 6. No parade, drill, or inspection to reckon towards capitation, in either garrison or country c >rps, if less than the minimum strength of the corps is present. 7. The maximum and minimum strength of corps of all arms to be as follows: — Garrison corps, maximum, G3 ; minimum, 43 ; country corps, maximum. 50; minimum, 30. 8. Every volunteer to enrol for 12 months continuous service, and untrained recruits only permitted to enrol for corps in the mouths of January and July in each year. 9. These recruits to be formed into squads irrespective of corps. They will have to attend (liiriy hours' recruit 'Ir. ll. and go through ihe Ist and 2nd periods of target and judging distance practice, when, if reported efficient, they will be passed in drill and join the ranks of their corps. 10. Capitation may be claimed for these recruits, provided the period under instruction has not exceeded six months, sad a free issue of a serge suit will be granted to enable them to attend recruits drill in uniform. 11. Men who have previously received & military training can be enrolled at anyperiod during the year, but they will not receive capitation unless they have qualified for il by attending the requisite number of parades. 12. Officers and noncommissioned officers will liave to undergo an examination {before their appointments are confirmed) in certain subjects which will be specified in tLe new regulations. 13. Garrison bands only will be permitted in stations where tliere are four corps or upwards of a strength in proportion of five men to each corps. 14. They are to be under tlie immediate control of the officer in command of tlie district. ' apitalion will be granted to bandsmen who attend the proper number of parades, and Government assistance afforded towards paying expenses of instruction. 15- At plac t where there are less than four corps tlie same proportion <>F bandsmen will be allowed, but no other assistance will be granted. 16. Volunteer corps who are at present above the maximum strength laid down in the new regulations will be required to reduce their numbers to the fixed establishment before tlie 31st of January, 18S3, and may accept such means by ballot or otherwise as may be deemed best to c?rry out the required reduction. 17. Corps failing to do so before the above date will be disbanded, and newcorps of the authorised form established formed in their place. 18. Cadet corps, except those in connection with schools, will be disbanded at the close of the present year. 19. Regulation uniforms will bo paid for as heretofore out of capitation, the Government obtaining them on application from corps. 20 Tbe question of uniforms forcounflifetry corps will be dealt with hereafter. 21. Corps at present designated Engineers will cease to be recognised as such after 31st December, 1882. 22. Naval Volunteers will be re-con-structed as "2v T aval Artillery Volunteers," to be trained at four principal ports in the working of the heavy batteries about to be erected, for which a special allowance will be granted, as specified in forthcoming regulations. 23. If you require any further information on the points touched upon in this memorandum it will at once be furnished to you on application at this office. H. S. Rkadkb, Lieut-Col. Under-Secretary Defence.