Volunteer Items

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 35, 19 September 1891, Page 3

Volunteer Items

The Manchester Bifles were inspected by Major Newall on Thursday night, tiieute. Kirton and Bray, and a full complement of hon-commissioned officers and taen were in attendance. The corps was marched into the Kimbolton road, and instructed in battalion movements which were, considering that this was the first occasion many of the men had taken part in them, were very well performed, and apparently to the satisfaction of Major Newall. At the conclusion of the parade the men were marched back into the barracks where the roll was called which gaye 44 present of all ranks. Lieut. Kirton then read a letter. he had just deceived 'from Captain Pleasants, which stated that the latter's health had become so bad' lately that he was afraid, any longer to risk 'the long drive home in the ni^ht air, therefore he had sent in his designation to the Officer Commanding District. He requested that the corps be informed how exceedingly he was to be compelled to. take this step, but he could* not help it, as his health must be- his first consideration. He desired to thank the company, the old hands for sticking to him so wall, and the young ones for joining so readily, and thereby bringing up the corps to its present strength. He was also much pleased with the earnest and attentive manner in which the men drilled under : his instruction at the last parade. Captain Pleasants concluded his letter by stating his intention of attending at a parade to bid farewell to the men. At the conclusion of the reading of this ...tatter, Lieut. Kirton spoke of the regret he felt at receiving this intimation, and said the corps would join with him in, his expressions of deep sorrow, that ill-health should compel the severance of the connection of Captain Pleasants with the corps, for which he had done so much, •loth as commanding officer, and as a to one arid all of them. The hearty applause which 7 greeted Mr Kirton 's short address testified, better than words, to the warm feelings of regard and respect Captain Pleasants was held by iiis corps. A meeting for the election, of a successor to Captain Pleasants, and a Lieut. %ill be held after parade on October Bth.