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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2038, 25 March 1907, Page 2

MOUNTED RIFLES. A special meeting of the East Coast Mounted Bides was held on Saturday night. . Captain Colobourno said that was in hopes that ho would be able to resign altogether from volunteer work; but in Hastings they b:ul evidently got Oil bis soft side, lor they bad persuaded him to take tlie command of tho Hawke’s Bay Mounted (tides. He had noticed that volunteering in the colony was at a low ebb, but be hoped it would not bo so in Gisborne. He hoped to improve bis now corps through his old corps. —lie would pit the corps one against the other; and if bo sent a challenge along he expected the E.C.M.11. to come along and help him to improve liis corps. Lieutenant Evans had informed him that ho would not stand for election as Captain as lie bad not time to devote to the duties. Somebody would liavo to bo elected to fill tho position lie was vacating. Liutonant Evans proposed that Mr. Tombleson be elected to the position. Ho was one o the first to join tli corps when first formed and. all <n them knew him. He felt sure Mr. Tombleson would do all that was rcnuirefl of him and would koccp tlie corps up to its present excellent standard.

As there were no further nominations Mr. Tombleson was elected with acclamation.

Mr. Tombleson in returning thanks said that tlie fact that lie had been three years ill the ranks and three years iis an officer was ample indication of tlioir confidence in him. He appreciated the honor done .him and hoped tlioir confidence in him would not bo misplaced. The E.C.M.B. had been fortunate .ill its officers. First they had Captain Winter and then Captain Colcbourne, and lie was pleased to have bis name associated with .such names. Captain Colebourne bad been bis troop and squadron loader in turn and lie never wanted to have a better limn to deal with. He was glad to see that Squadron A was in such a good position, but be would like to remind members that it was still not up to its full strength. Captain Colcbourne bad spoken of challenges—he would challenge him to a contest as to the largest number of recruits enrolled. He hoped that anything more that be felt which lie had not expressed in words would be shown by bis work.

Lieutenant Evans proposed that the annual camp of the corps should he held in May, the exact date and site to be left to the officers. Tho motion was carried.

Tlie Secretary said the ground where the camp was held last year had silted up badly and was very rough.

Captain Tombleson said that this year the class-firing would bn done in camp—in the past there had been trouble in getting the men together for this purpose. This would take a great load olf the officers’ shoulders. Captain Colcbourne said the squadron’s range which was situated on bis property liad cost tlie corps £BO and tlio.v bad got £3O for the range from the Government. Ho had sold tlie property hut he had made arrangements that the corps could use the range until the end of February so that the class-firing might bo com-

pleted. After the end of February other arrangements would have to be made with the present proprietors, and lie bad no doubt that they could make as good an arrangement as they had with him. A small rent would have to bo paid; and if tlie payment of this rent was brought under the notice of the Government it might influence them to provide a rifle range for the use of the volunteers in the district. It was decided to hold tho usual annual ball, the date to bo left to the officers.

are to be interviewed so Umt -oome clear understanding can be come to regarding the uso of the range. The annual meetiug is to be held at one of the parades. Captain Tombleson said bo wished an expression of opinion as to whether or not the squadron should have another officer. Lieutenant Evans said that if each troop was under a lieutenant, who would be responsible for the internal economy of tho troop, there would he healthy rivalry between them as to who should put the most men on parade. It would bo better to have there troops of 20 each who would parade regularly than to have a paper strength of 90 which was never materialised on parade. He thought the extra officer would' tend to increase the parade strength.