THE VOLUNTEERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2031, 16 March 1907, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS

INSPECTION PARADE.

Tho Gisborne Rifles and the town cadets paraded at the drill-shed last evening for inspection by Colonel Kettle, officer commanding the district. The Rifles, under Capt. Beero, mustered "34 strong and tho cadets, under Lieut. Doyle, 30.

The companies wore inspected at the drill-shed by Colonel Kettle, and were afterwards marched into Gladstone road, where numerous. ev.olu tions were gone through. The men were then marched back to the drillshod and were addressed by tho colonel.

Colonel Kettle said he was very pleased to be on parade that evening. He thought they had the best muster for inspection that he had soon for a very long time. There were many recruits among them, and he would like to see them in a company by themselves, so that a true opinion could ho formed as to what the efficient men could do. He would like to see t'he men hold themselves up better—he had ever tried to imbue all ranks with the idea that when the uniform was donned they were soldiers of the Empire, although volunteers, and they should comport themselves accordingly. The colonel gave some sound advice oil details of drill. The rifles he had examined he had found in good order. He particularly impressed on the section commanders the importance of their duties —at the present day they had responsibilities previously appertaining to commissioned officers. Last year he had written to the Government and strongly recommended that they should give a considerable grant for land and a building for a drill-shed in Gisborne. The volunteers in Gisborne wore at a great 1 disadvantage in that there was uq building in which the men could havo orderly rooms. Ho hoped tho timo was coming when Gisborne would have a drill-shod equal to those in Hastings, Napier, and other places, and he would especially like to seo such a place as it would bo a place whore young men might go on winter evenings. To the cadets he had to say that when they paraded with men they should endeavour to act as men.

Capt. Beere, addressing tlio men, said he was very pleased with the parado, especially as it liad been undertaken at very short notico. After tho parade Corporal Rait and Lieut. Coleman were elected auditors and a now momber was elected.