Volunteer Items

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 39, 14 September 1889, Page 2

Volunteer Items

In accordance with the request telegraphed to him by the meeting of Auckland foluuteers held ou Monday night, Mr Mainliu, M.H.R., waited upon the Defence Miuister on Tuesday morning and suggested that about half-a-dozen Martini- Henry rifles shall be issued to each corps that desires it and charged against its capitation grant. No definite answer has been given says the Post, but it is more than probable that the suggestion will be , acted upon. [If it is, it will be rough on the capitation allowance which is already too small for company purposes.] The Manchester Rifles paraded last night. There was a good muster, only three members being fined for absence. Oupt. Pleasants was in command. Sergt.Major Macunllan instructed the corps in the tiring exercise. At the conclusion of the drill, Oapt. Pleasauts read an order from Lieut. Col. Stapp appointing^ par ■ ade to be held on the 4th October, at the usual hour, when the Sergt.-Major would be present to instruct the men in aiming and position drill, guard mounting, picquet and out-post duties, advance and rear guard, &c. A parade will also b» held on Friday the 11th October at 2 o'clock in the afternoon for volley and independant firing. Every man must be present. Captain Pleasants then invited the men to choose three members to act with the officers in connection with the firing for the medals presented by the company, when Color-Sergt. Bilderbeck, Sergt. Henson and Volunteer Humphries were elected. They had a meeting afterwards when it was Proposed by Lieut. Kirton, sconded by Lieut. Chamberlain, That three competitions take place to be held on a Saturday in each month of October, November and December.— Carried. Proposed by Captain Pleasants, seconded by Vol. Humphries, That the first competition take place on Saturday, the sth October ; the ranges to be 200, 300, and 500 yards, Wimbledon target, 5 shots at each range, firing to commence at 2 p.m., one sighting shot to be allowed at each range.— Carried. Captain Peasants informed the corps that as the commission of the former honarary surgeon, Dr Johnston, had been cancelled, he had placed himself in communication with Dr Monckton who had signified his wi'llngness to accept the position. This intimation was received with marked approval by the officers and mem