EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 853, 30 March 1903, Page 3

EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

ANNUAL MEETING,

Tho annual meeting of the East Coast Mounted Rifles was held on Saturday evening in the drillshed. There was a good attendance of members, Capt. J. H. Colebournc presided, Major Winter being also present. The balance-sheet for the year ending March 28th showed a credit in tho Bank of Now Zealand of .£B3 0s 3d, whilst the assets wero as follows: Subscriptions, floes, etc. in arrears, JEBO 14s sd; sundry debtors, £9 14s 5d ; uniforms, LT42 7s ; capitation, JEIB6 10s. The Chairman pointed out tho sound financial position of the corps. It should, ho said, even be better, as thcro was a big amount of subscriptions in arrears. He had a sebomo to bring boforo thorn later on, which if adopted might aid in keeping the subscriptions paid up. They could not expect the secretary to chase members, as tbero was no remuneration attached to tho office. Ho moved that the balance-

sheet bo adopted. Tbo motion was seconded by Quarter-mastor-Sergeant Elliot and carried unanimously. Major Winter said he had received the following telegram from Napier from Captain Joyce :— '* Tho officer of the district ask and recommend that you arrange for as many of your corps and battalion to carry out our Easter manoeuvres with tho 2nd mounted and 3rd and sth infantry battalions to bo supervised by Col. Owen. Scheme : Part of the force detrains at Takapau, working north ; remainder detrain at Waipukurau from north.” Major Winter urged tho members to take advantage of the opportunity. It would improve volunteering generally. Junior ! officers had been complaining that they never had tbo opportunity of learning field duty, and they had a chance now, and he hopod they would avail themselves of it. All expenses would bo paid. If they decided to go he thought they should send their horses overland. Even if the whole corps could not go, as many of the members as possible should do so. It would be a moving camp, and it would be a good experience. He asked them to decide that evoning, as he had to reply at once. He had to attend to other duties that evening, so that ho could not wait for the discussion.

Tho Chairman said that the othor business would be dealt with, and they would then discuss tho matter.

The following were elected as a general committee :—Corporals Hall and Zachariah, Troopers Davidson, Leslie, and Oates.

Sergeant Fairlie, Corporal Pirie, Tropers Oates and Witters were elected as the firing committee. Troopers Svmes and O’Meara were reelected auditors. The Secretary made pleasing reference to the interest which they had shown in the duty entrusted to them. Sergeant Hamilton was re-elected as secretary. The following new members were duly elected :—Messrs G. Carter, B. Bright, A. G. Nolan, and Poynter. The Chairman, in reference to his schemo re subscriptions and amounts in arrear, proposed “ That the subscription be one guinea per annum, but if paid before June 30th, together with all arrears, the subscription to be half a guinea. Sergeant-Major Evans thought it was a very good scheme. Ho seconded the proposal, which was carried. The question of returned contingenters joining the corps was discussed, and Sergt.-Major Evans said he would like to see some more of the men who had seen the real gaucio played come along. The Chairman stated that he had received the resignation of Surgeon-Captain Craig, which they all regretted very much. They would have to elect auother surgeon. He then went on to explain that by the now regulations it was much easier to earn capitation. Tho mombers would only have to put a week in camp and three parades (not daylight ones), whereas before it was a week in camp and six daylight parades ; also 2s 6d was to be paid to each man. He thought if the money earned at the Easter camp would be invested in procuring full dress uniforms tbat it would be more encouragement for recruits. He knew how they all felt in a suit of kharki. It was too sombre-looking, and did not catch the eye. The Chairman then put the question of tho Easter camp to the members, and in doing so said that they would have their own camp to consider, as the Easter one would not be included in the earning of capitation. Trooper Witters said that it had never beon clearly explained to him in regard to the trip they made to Wellington when tho Duke of York was there. He understood that the allowance was to bo 5s 6d per day per man. Ho thought that each man was to receive 2s 6d per day, and the balance go to the benefit of the corps. Tho reason he had not- paid his subscription was ho thought that ho had been credited with the amount.

The Chairman pointed out that the men who went overland with the horses were credited with the amount.

Trooper Witters : What about the pay' ing of the fine of 10s for my non-attend anee at oamp ?

Capt. Colebourne : I gave you a chance So appeal, but you did not.

Trooper Witter : 1 was unable to attend at the orderly room to appeal. | Capt. Colebourne: You were very luclty 1 to get off for 10s. In reply to a question from Trooper ■Witters, the Chairman pointed out that ;£240 was earned in capitation last year, and that only JOIB6 10s was earned this year. If members had attended camp they could have earned a lot more. The time of year was very unsuitable for members to have attended regularly. Some discussion then took place about the payment of fines, and the Captain said that he could obtain them by the law if he wished to be so severe. Trooper Witters: I don’t want to got out of paying mine. The Chairman : You were given notice to appear at the orderly room along with a number of others, but only five appeared, several of whom produced satisfactory statements as to their absence. The Chairman : What about the Easter camp? , , , ~ Sergt.-Major Evans thought they should go. It would not cost much. Lieut. Tombleson said they should try and go down, even if only half a donen could get away. He hoped the members would decide to go. Lieut. Beere, in order to test the feeling of the meeting, proposed that the corps go down, the motion being seconded by Trooper Leslie. The question of shipping the horses or taking them overland was raised, and it was unanimously agreed that the latter way would be much cheaper and more satisfactory. It waß decided to reply that the corps would attend the encampment. The Chairman said he hoped to get into camp this year about June ; he would not do so in January again, as it was a very unsuitable time of the year. He had yet to decide where they should go. Some members proposed Morere, but after some discussion it was decided to defer the matter. Tho Chairman said that Lieut. Hutchinson had obtained six months’ leave of absence, as ho would be absent from the colony for that time. It would only mean more duty for tho junior officers. A member : I suppose we will get his

fine? (Laughter.) The Chairman said that they would not be able to use the old rifle range much longer, and he was making negotiations to have one in a more central place. The present one was not central enough for country members, and he was sure if his negotiations were successful they would have a very central rango. Lieut. Tombleson asked why the Government should not be approached to give assistance in procuring one. Ho thought that representations should bo made to Mr Carroll. The Chairman: The Government is assisting with the old range. Lieut. Hutchinson thought they should first get the new rango and then make proper representations to get assistance. In reply to a member tho Chairman said the amount of ammunition supplied to each member was 12 rounds. Lieut. Tombleson thought it. was not sufficient, and they should utilize some of their money in procuring more ammunition. The Chairman said that nobody was ever refused ammunition, and that if members requiring the same applied they could have more, as there were members who did not use all theirs. The Chairman said that there were lots of prizes to be shot for—money, medals, field-glasses, and many others which had been promised by townspeople. He thought that if the trustees of the shed— Majors McCredie and Winter—were approached they could have a miniature target erected and the men could use their own rifles. Ammunition could be got for 5s per 100. Lieutonant Beere said a rather dolicate point had been raised by several members, and that was whethor the Natives should be weeded out or form a Native division. It was shameful to see the way they abused their uniforms. Often when they came on parade their uniforms were a disgrace to the corps. He thought that if the latter suggestion, were adopted it might create a little more esprit de corps. They should have Native officers, etc. He did not intend to cast any reflection on Lieutenant Hutchinson because the bulk of the Natives were in his division. Hawke’s Bay had formed a Native division, and he had no doubt but that they would be as smart as their European brethren.

Sergeant Fairlie said he was aware that the Natives abused their uniforms. He had met them in full uniform, hat, spurs, bridle, etc. He thought it was not right that such should be the caso. Quartermaster- Sergeant Eliott thought they should not weed them all out ; a fine would be a good remedy. Lieut. Beere said he did not by any means intend to refer to all the Natives. There were some good ones. The Chairman : It will be a question for tbe committee to thresh out. Lieut. Beere drow attention to the necessity of appointing a sub-committee to approach the trustees with regard to having the drill-shed enlarged. He thought they should get up a bazaar to raise funds. The shed was so small that it was absurd to drill in it. There was not sufficient room. It was decided that the trustees be approached. Lieut. Beere stated it was fitting at tho meeting that evening to propose a vote of condolence with the relatives of Sir Hector Macdonald. He was sure that they all had a great deal of feeling and sympathy for his relatives, although it was a sad ending of such a brilliant career. The proposition was seconded by Quartermaster-Sergeant Eliott and carried. Tho question of holding a ball in connection with their East Coast Corps was

brought up by Quartermaster-Sergeant Eliott. It was decided to recommend the matter to the committee.

Sergeant-Major Evans proposed a vote of thanks to Mr C. Hamilton, tho secretary, for the efficient manner in which be carried out bis arduous duties for the year. The motion was seconded by the Chairman, and carried with acclamation.

A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.