Volunteer Items.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 200, 22 February 1895, Page 2

Volunteer Items.

The Manchester Rifles paraded for ! inspection by Colonel Newall last night. I There was a good muster of all ranks, although a number of apologies were received from members engaged in farm work. After inspection the company was marched out on Kimbolton Road, where the Colonel gave the men some useful instruction in the duties of a picket, sentries, &c. The new system of drill will come into force on March Ist. On the subject of the Easter encampment, Colonel Newall said be was very well pleased with the ground placed at his disposal for a site. There was abundance of good water and firewood, which was a great advantage. He was emphatic in declaring that every man of the Manchester Rifles must be present at the camp, and he would expect more from them than any other corps. They were on the spot and should make a point of showing as much attention and giving assistance when the other corps arrived from a distance as tbey possibly could. The Manchester Rifles had already a good reputation as regards hospitality, which he had not the slightest doubt the corps would maintain. With refereiice to the new uniform, he had seen the cloth, which was of splendid texture, and the Norfolk jacket, which was smart ahd soldier-like. It would not be necessary for the company to go to this expense until tbeir present uniforms were worn out, or unserviceable. He had a supply of 500 MartiniHenry rifles in Wellington, a portion of which would be sent to Feilding, and he hoped at no distant date to see them all supplied with the hew arm. After a few -^company movements the men were marched back to the Assembly Rooms and dismissed. The plans of the new drill-shed have '■be^^apprcrv.ed: ; df-imi - _the building will be commenced, fortbwith. The company parada appointed for tlie j^th jnstant WUI ao^fceld.