Volunteer Items

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 133, 2 May 1891, Page 2

Volunteer Items

The Minister of Defence has declined to accede to the request of the Manclieater Volunteer Rifles to be formed into & Rifle Club, as he considers it would. be detrimental to the interests of both the Palnierston and Marton. corps if men could form a Rifle Club at so handy a place as Feilding. The 'following is Lieutenant-Colonel Stapp's farewell address to the Volunteer Force lately under his command :— " My services having been dispensed with from the command of the districts of 1 Taranaki and Wanganui (the Hon. -the Defence Minister states from no fault of my own), in consequence of severe illness 1 had not the opportunity to say farewell, as is customary, on parade. It is with deep regret that I sever my connection with corps I have commanded for upwards of eight years, and Taranaki for upwards of thirty-two years. I can honestly say I have had nothing but pleasure in my command; your conduct has been all that I could desire. " To officers, non-cominissioried officers afld men my best thanks are due for the supporo you have always given me. You may be sure that I shall always watch over your career with the greatest interest. "If I have a been harsh to any individual in any corps, I hope he will pardon me, and beli *j me, when I say I have been actuated solely by the desire to maintain the high character of the volunteers. "I again wish you farewell and a prosperous careen "(Signed) C. Stapp, Lieut.-Col., ■' New Zealand Militia* " New Plymouth, April 7, 1891."