Volunteer Items.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 134, 5 December 1895, Page 2

Volunteer Items.

o The Manchester Rifles mustered last night in the Drill Hall for inspection by Col Fox and Lieut-Col. Newall. There was an attendance of 49 men of all ranks. Capt Kirton, and Lient. Barltrop put the corps through company movements ; Color Sergt. Milson, the bayonet and Sergt. Aiken tbe manual exercise. At the conclusion of the parade, Col Fox passed some complimentary remarks on the new drill hall. He also said that in view of the approaching Easter Encampment, it would be necessary for the corps to do a considerable amount of instruction drill so that the Manchester Rifles should be on the same footing as older companies which did not contain in their ranks so many recruits. He expressed general satisfaction with the appearance of the men, and the condition of their arms and accoutrements. This morning their was a fair turn out of officers, non-commission officers, and men, for instruction in outpost duty. After tbe sentries had been posted, and other necessary details gone through, Col. Fox and Col. Newall arrived on' the ground, which was chosen on Mr Lethbridge's farm, at six o'clock. The piquet and sentries were each visited in their turn, and much useful instruction was imparted by Col. Fox to the men. There was a drizzling ram fall during the early part of the morning, which, doubtless, kept many men away, but, on the whole, the attendance was satisfactory. Col. Fox expects to visit Feilding again during March next. Yesterday Mr Banks interviewed Col. Fox on the subject of a Mounted Rifle Corps for Eiwitea, and was referred to Lieut-Col Newall, Commandant of the District, who will deal with tbe subject at the proper time.