Volunteer Items.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 130, 1 December 1896, Page 2

Volunteer Items.

Of Major Arthur Pole Penton, R.A., the newly- appointed Commandant of tbe New Zealand Forces, who is now on his way to the colony in tbe Rimutaka, the London correspondent of the New Zealand Herald writes as follows : — " I thiok I am warranted in predicting that the new Commandant will prove a great success in his official capacity, and will be extremely popular personally. He has a peculiarly agreeable manner, and that pleasing appearance, which, as a great writer once said, is the ' best letter of introduction.' He is the sort of man who 19 sure to be known in New Zealand, as he is in England, as a thoroughly good fellow, while as to his professional qualifications, his English chiefs declare that he is perhaps the best man they have ever sent out yet, tbe moat capable, and most thoroughly qualified for his new post. Lieutenant Madocks, also of the Royal Artillery, accompanies Major Penton as his staff officer. He, too. eeems an exceedingly nice fellow, and, I understand, like his chief, bears excellent qualifications. By-the-by, you must call him May&ox, and not Maddox. This is important."