Volunteer Items

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 72, 22 September 1893, Page 2

Volunteer Items

The Manchester Riflea were inspected last night by Colonel Fox, and Lieut»Col. Newall. There was a good muster, only four men, two of whom were absent from the district, being absent. Captain Kirton, Lieutenants Bray and Bnrlace, and forty- three non-commissioned officers and men fell in. After the customary general salute Colonel Fox made a rigid examination of the arms, uniforms, and accoutrements, and was apparently well satisfied with their condition as to efficiency and cleanliness. Captain Kirton put the corps through the firing exercises, and Lieut Burlaco the manual. Color- Sergt. Milson drilled the men in the swordbayonet exercise* and Sergt. Fetherick also assisted in the preliminary firing exercises ; special instruction was given in this drill by Lient.-Col. Newall. The men were then marched out of the Hall into the Kiinbolton road where they were drilled in company movements and skirmishing by Captain Kirton and Lieut. Bray respectively. At the conclusion of tho parade Colonel Fox called Captain Kirton to the front, and complimented him on the progress the men had made in their drill, their smart soldierly appearance and the change for the better which he observed had taken place since he inspected them before. There was more life and spirit in the corps, and he hoped that at the end of another twelve months they would be still better. Lieut-Col. Newall also complimented the corps in their steadiness on parade, and the marked attention they paid during instrnction. Lieut-Col. Newall informed the corps that the volley firing would take place at the butts on the morning of Friday the 27th of October. The corps was then marched back to the Hall and dismissed. Colonel Fox and Lieut-Col. Newall left for Wanganui by the early train this morning. It is probable that a special parade of the Manchester Rifles will be held on the evening of Wednesday October 4th.