THE MANCHESTER RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 52, 16 December 1882, Page 2

THE MANCHESTER RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

— — ♦> An Inspection Parade of this company was held at the Public Hall on Thursday last, the 14th instant. Tho attendance was very good, there being present 52 men of all ranks. After a short drill in the manual and platoon exercises Captain Neill proceeded to explain the new regulations* He pointed out that they were very favorable to country corps, as the men would only have to attend Government Parade once in each quarter for an hour's drill, and on such days as might be appointed by the officer commanding for company parades. He said that the garrison companies had to be inspected once a month, and would be under very severe restrictions, which country corps would escape. He expected further instructions from head quarters in January, during which month they would be enrolled in the new regulations, and all informaas to uniforms would be given to them. He said that the new regulations were all in favor of men who were good volunteers. As to those who joined merely j to have possession of the arms, but : who did not care to attend drill, : the company was better without them ; and such men should keep out of tho corps altogether, as they only did harm. ' He was convinced that under the new system, which was merely the old plan put in better working form, would introduce a new era in volunteering in the colony. Captain Neill courteously replied to questions put by several members of the corps, and removed some wrong impressions that had been made on the minds of several ol them. 'The men were then dismissed. In our opinion the new regulations will largely benefit country corps, and we firmly expect to see the Manchester Rifles retain in the future their well-earned character for steadiness on parade and for their exceßent shooting at the butts. As regards the supernumerary rank, we are informed that non-commissioned officers in tho corps as at present constituted will retain their rank in the corps as re-organised under the new regulations. But it will le necessary for them to prove their competency by an examination. It will be well for those who desire to keep their rank to be regular in their attendance at company drill for the future.