EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 366, 17 March 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meoting of tho East Coast Mounted BUles was held on Saturday ovoning at tho Drill-shed, Major Winter presiding. From thirty to forty members were present. JULAN'CK-SIIIiKT. The balance-sheet for the year was read by tho Secretary, Mr C. Hellior Evans, and was of a very satisfactory character. It showed tho value of the corps assets, including capitation duo next month, to be .£sll Is Bd, and the liabilities £65 7s Bd, tho latter amount representing sundry creditors ,£55 7s 6d, and overdraft at Bank of Now Zealand £lO 2s. The Seem-

tary stated that the capitation allowance, 65 members at £8 10s each, amounted to £227 10s, and would bo payable after April Ist. Tho company would then have a credit balance of over £IOO. Major Winter proposed tho adoption of tho balanee-sheet, and made pleasing reference to tho state of the finances. He thought that it was oxtreraely creditable to a company of tho size of the East Coast Rifles. Lieut. Hutchinson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. LIEUT. COLKIIOURNE ELECTED CAPTAIN.

Major Winter then intimated his desire to give over the chargo of the corps. In doing so, he remarked that thoy could not find anyono in tho district so eapablo of taking tho captaincy as was Lieut. Colobourne, and ho hud extreme pleasure in proposing that gentleman for the office. Liout. Colobourne had always taken a deep and lively interost in tho affairs of the company, and was in every way fitted for tho position. Quarterinastor-Sergoant Evans seconded tho motion, stating that tho appointment of Lieut. Colcbourno as captain met with tho wishes of the wholo of tho members.

Tho resolution was supported by Liout. Hutchinson, and unanimously adopted, amidst much applause. Liout. Colebourne returned thanks for the honor conferred upon him. Ho sincerely hoped that ho would not disappoint them or in any way fall short of tho remarks passed about him. At that time next year when be presided over tho meeting ho hoped to still retain the confidence of members, as he could assure them that ho highly appreciated tho honor of being elected captain of the East Coast Mounted Rifles.

ELECTION OF JUNIOR OFFICERS,

Tho election of two junior officers, second and third lieutonants, was then proceeded with, nominations having closed on the previous Thursday. The following candidates contested tho election : Ser-geant-Major Beere, Quartermaster-Ser-geant Evans, Sergeant Tombloson, and Corporal Zacbariah. Major Wintor and Mr W. Gaudin wero appointed scrutineers, and tho number was first reduced to two, it being agreed that a second voto should bo held in ordor to soo who should rank as senior officer. The election was keenly contested, there only being four votes botwcon the first and third candidates. Tho rosult of tho election showed SergeantMajor Beere and Sergeant Tombleson as the pair selected, and the final ballot resulted in favor of Sergeant-Major Beere, tho announcement, when mado by Major Winter, being received with loud applause. Sergeant-Major Beere briefly returned thanks, stating that he had placed his nomination in Lieutenant Colobourno’s hands with a certain amount of regret, as he was quite happy in the position which he held in the Company. He would have preferred to have seen one of their leadingoitizens in the position, and with that object he had canvassed tho town, but without success. He thanked members for the honor thoy had conferred upon him, and he would do his utmost to justify their confidence, and fill the position as it should bo filled. Sergeaut Tombleson, in returning thanks, said of one thing they wero certain, and that was that they could not all be officers. Upon the present occasion, he was one of the lucky ones, and ho thanked them for the honor they' had conferred upon him. Ho would endeavor to merit the confidence which they had shown that evening.

FIRING COMMITTEE.

n There were six nominations for members for the Firing Committee, five being required. The election resulted as follows: —Lieutenant Deere, Sergeants Fairlie and Morrison, Corporals Hamilton and Pirie.

NEW MEMBERS,

The following new members were elected Messrs W. Delamero, W. J. Little, E. O’Reilly, G. E. Eliott, W. Bartlett, W. Kotere, Watene Peniha, Tu Paoa, Wi Pere, Rangi Pura, ltawiri Toman ui.

Prior to the election of new members Major Winter said that thero were a number of natives amongst those whoso names were submitted for election, and it was for members to ask any questions they cared with regard to them. Ho failed to see how there could be the slightest objection against them. Almost every corps in the oolony had a number of native members, who as a rule were found to be good men and stuck to their work.

Capt. Colebourne said that the natives to be submitted for election that evening wore proposed by Trooper Lang, of Whatatutu, who had taken a keon interest in them, and was prepared to go as a guarantee for them to the corps. Trooper Lang was willing to look after the men's gear and keep it in order. Troopor Lang said a few words on behalf of the natives. Ho had every confidence in them, and believed they would make good members. They were their own bosses, their time was their own, and they took the liveliest interest in all matters pertaining to volunteering. In answer to Lieut. Beero, Trooper iang stated that the natives understood English. He had himsolf drilled them at Whatatutu, and they understood perfectly tho words of command. The whole of tho candidates presented wore unanimously elected.

CORI’OIUL HAMILTON ELECTED SECRETARY

With regard to the appointment of secretary, Sergt.-Major Evans expressed a desire to bo relieved of the duties. He had done his host during tho previous year, and he thought it was time someone else had a turn. Members expressed regret that Sergt. Evans would not accpt offico, and Corporal Hamilton was unanimously elected to tho position. battalion camp.

Major Winter stated that as a result o recommendations made by himself upon different occasions, it had been decided to have a battalion camp at Napier at Easter, and he hoped to see as many members of the corps attend as possible. Full particulars were not to hand, and he could not state whether the attendance for six days at the battalion camp would do away with the six days’ training at camp, which had to be attended before capitation was awarded. The Major also stated he had recommended Messrs Sandttnan aud Cato, of Napier, as Adjutant and QuarterMaster Sergeant of the Fourth Battalion of Wellington Mounted Rifles. Reverting to the Easter camp at Napier, Major Winter said that the Government would pay expenses to Napier, and an ortort would be made to get the Union Company to keep their steamer at Napier until the Wednesday evening, so that the full six days might be had in camp. If this were done they would return on the Thursday morning. , „ Trooper Hall asked if the Government would also pay the expenses of taking the horses by steamer to Napier. Major Winter replied that there was not the slightest prospect of them doing | so. The horses would have to bo taken overland as in previous years. Trooper Hall complained of the rough treatment the horses received in being taken overland. Upon the last occasion the horses were really unfit to ride after b.a charge of Trooper Hall’s horse, and can assure you it hau a B °Troope°r Hall: I do not see how you ■ that Mv horse was nearly a bag of bones! I passed the horse and did not know it in the train. Tmember: Your horse got the same allowance of feed as the others did. think if you had put a few more sacks of oats into your horse before it started it would have stood the journey bettor. The Chairman called the meeting to order, and pointed out that the journey to Napier last year was accomplished w vor > bad weather.

A long discussion ensued as to whether the corps could get a sufficiently strong ruuster to be worth while going to Napier. Capt. Cole-bourne regretted that there was a probability of his being unable to attend, and several other members could not promise te go. Lieutenant Beere moved a resolution to the offect that the Napier trip be abandoned, and a combined camp of the East

Coast Mounted Hides and Huruinua Bides be arranged. Of the members present at the meeting only 17 promised to go to Napier, and Major Winter said that unless 30 could attend ho did not think they should go. He svas greatly disappointed, as it was mainly owing to his efforts that it had been decided upon to have a battalion camp. Upon a previous occasion, when he mentioned the matter,‘l6 had promised to go to Napier, althoughsomc of these had since left with the last contingent

After further discussion the motion was withdrawn, and it was agreed to await the reply to a telegram to be sent by Major Winter to headquarters, stating definitely if the six days of battalion camp would oarn capitation, thus doing away with the annual six days' training. Special mention was mado by Major Winter and Captain Colbourne of the services rendered to the corps by the retiring secretary, Quartermaster- Sergeant Evans, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to that gentleman. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.