Manawatu Mounted Rifles.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 209, 8 March 1897, Page 2

Manawatu Mounted Rifles.

A meeting was held in Mr W. D. M. Banks' shed, Kiwitea. on Saturday evening last, convenod by Lieut. Aldriob of the Manavratu Mounted Bides, for the purpose of ascertaining what sup* port would be forthcoming in the direction of forming a contingent in the district of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles. Mr Dunk, Capt of M.M.R., addressed the meeting and explained very lucidly the requirements for forming a contingent of the above corps in this district. The total subscription required from any mtmbir was five guineas, which covers the cost of the following items found by company : Tunic, cap, pants, and leggings ; also, horse gear as follows: Bridle, breastplate, head stall, two bits, and stirrup irons, each man finding his own horse and saddle. Horses to be 10 hands or over, and any color except white or grey. A man joining and having only a grey horse could use the same until he could procure one of a darker colour. The bugler could be a lad mounted on a good pony 14 bands or over. The amount of capitation per man allowed by Government was £2 10a, with 9s added for horse feed (while in camp.) The number of drills demanded by Government per annum was eighteen, which inclndes twelve drills during six days' encampment. One Government inspection drill and one the day before going into camp. The six days' encampment was compulsory. All tr&Telling expenses to and from encampment and victualling while in camp was found by the corps. The only personal call made on the men was Is per bead for piano while in camp. The subscription to the Manawatu Mounted Rifles conld be paid in the following manner : — los on enrollment, LI on receipt of uniform and balance (L 2) in monthly instalments of 5s each, Each man buys his own riding breeches and leggings from the Company's tailor, these becoming bis private property, thus making up the total subscription required to five guineas. Ordinary drills were held eyery month in the district, one Government inspection per annum being held in Palmerston North, besides the six days' encampment. The present strength of the corps was 47, leaving room for a contingent of|l6 to be fonnd in this district thns bringing the entire strength of tbe corps up to 63 the number allowed by Government. There is a vacancy at present for one sergeant. The corps appoints a drill sergeant for the district. This closed Captain Dunks' explanatory remarks and on his invitation a number of volunteers were enrolled. Mr Alldridge proposed that the district should be canvassed by a committee of the following, to obtain tbe reqnisite number to make np tbe strength, which was carried unanimously by the meeting :—W. D. M. Banks, Corpl. Matheson, Cbas. Johnston, George Perry, W. Aid* rich. Any volunteer wishing to be enrolled may apply to any of the officers of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles or to Mr W. D. M. Banks, and a copy of the company's rales can be obtained from the above. The meetiDg terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to Captain Dunk for his address and also to Lieut's. Pringle and Aldrich and Corpl. Matheson for their attendance.