LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 110, 7 October 1874, Page 3

LITERATURE.

SWEET NELLY HUNTINGDON. Continued. Chaater. 111. • This life is very dull and stupid,' ran the girl's thoughts; ' how I wish something would happen! If only Lord Langholme was handsome and not little, we might fall in love with each other; at least, I don't suppose he would fall in love with a simple little country girl like me after he's been used to all the elegant, well-bred London women—not that there's an older or better family than the Hiintingdons anywhere,' contradicted the little maiden's family pride. ' I shouldn't mind being very miserable. I'd rather die of a broken heart than go on living in this utter stagnation. But if he was only handsome and fell in love with me (I may as well imagine it all perfect, as it will never happen), how delicious it would be ! We should meet and meet, and at last papa would find it out, and be furious, and we should be forbidden to see each other any more. Then he would take me in his arms, and kiss me once like Launcelot kissed the Queen the last time, and when he was gone I should grow paler and paler, and at last I should die, and have white lilies laid upon my breast and in my hand, like Tennyson's Elaine. Then papa would relent, and send for Lord Langholme, and he would come and hang over me broken-hearted; and then, when it was too late, the old family quarrel would be made up, and they would plant flowers together on my grave.' And the foolish little maiden, touched by her own pitiful story that she had made, let the big tears gather in her sweet brown eyes, and brim over in great diamond drops from their long lashes. Presently, becoming more cheerful, she raised her eyes, and they lighted kindling upon a great mass of heaven-blue forget-me-nots on the opposite bank.

' Oh if I could only get them !' she cried, stopping short in a suitable epitaph she had been composing on her untimely end ; but the attainment of her desire seemed hardly compassable, since the stream ran between her and the coveted treasure. True, it was very shallow, for there had been no rain for weeks ; but it was quite beyond a jump even for such agile feet as Miss Nelly's. ' I must have them,' she said to herself. ' I never saw such beauties. Oh if they were only this side !'

The difficult is not the impossible ; and so the young lady whose thoughts had just been centred on early death and white lilies began to reflect on the ways and means of obtaining the tempting cluster of forget-me-nots on the sloping bank. ' There's no one about,' she said, looking round mysterioitsly, ' Why shouldn't I ?J Of course she could not see that just behind a clump of alders on the opposite side a very handsome young man was stretched at full length, watching her with keen admiration through the branches. Slowly she drew off one of the Cinderella-like slippers and the dainty silken stocking, thereby exposing to the watcher's enchanted view the loveliest little rose-pinked arched foot; and the conquest was complete. Of course he ought to have rushed away like Damon, leaving a little note on the bank to say he was gone to keep all other intruders from the sacred spot ; but perhaps he had not read Thomson's lines, and the idea did not occur to him, or perhaps he feared to scare the pretty apparition away for ever, or perhaps he thought it was no harm; and I'm sure very few men would have acted differently under the circumstances. So he held his breath while the two little slippers came off, and the dainty little feet were plunged half shrinkingly on the pebbly ground of the little stream. Three steps, and then eager hands stretched towards the coveted flowers and uprooted them from their nestling security. But, alas ! just as Nelly turned there was a treacherous hole in the sandy bottom, and

one little foot slipped into it, and got a wrench that made her cry out sharply and fall back against the bank. In a second the young man had started from his hidingplace and was beside her. Poor Nelly would fain have had the hole big and deep enough to swallow her up altogether ; the pain of her foot was as nothing compared to the anguish of having been seen trespassing, with naked feet too, upon Lord Langholme's property. ' Are you hurt ?' he cried, eagerly, without more ado putting one protecting arm round the terrified little form, and standing heedlessly ankle-deep in the water.

' Yon won't tell Lord Langholme ?' she uttered, beseechingly, looking up with such terror in her eyes that he almost laughed. Visions of this trespass being made the occasion of another lawsuit through the rancorous hated of the two families flitted agonisingly across her innocent mind. ' 1 won't indeed,' he answered, rcasuringly; ' but don't think of him ; tell me if you are hurt.'

'My foot ! I can't move it,' she said, with a look of beseeching in her eyes like a wounded deer might give. The stranger took her up in his arms, and lifted her quite gently on the high bank. ' Let me look,' he said, pleadingly, only anxious uoav about her hurt; but she blushed vividly, and hid it away under her dress. But the pain made her utter a sharp little cry. ' I did not know any one was there. Oh! what will papa say ?' she murmured, turning a wistful look upon him like a distressed kitten.

' Well, but how fortuuate that some one was there !' he answered her soothingly ; '' you never could have got home alone.' ' But I shall have to go home alone,' she cried, looking at him with frightened eyes. ' Papa would find it out else, and he would never forgive me.' ' What is this great mystery ? Why should you be afraid of your father and Lord Langholme knowing that you took a fancy to a bunch of forget-me-nots ?'

' Oh ! because we hate each other so, and arc always looking out for quarrels,' answered Nelly, quite simply. ' Who is we, if I may ask ?' ' The Huntingdons and the Langholmes.' ' Are you quite sure the hatred is mutual?' ' Oh, yes, quite sure,' replied Nelly, confidently. ' And do you hate Lord Langholme, and does he hate you ?' ' Oh! I don't hate him, because I never in my life saw him, and I don't suppose he would take the trouble to think about me.'

' He would be something less than human if he hated anything half so lovely,' said the young man, with an ardent glance. ' Please don't say those things,' entreated Nelly, blushing painfully, ' because I'm not used to them, and I don't understand fashionable speeches.' ' It's a very old fashion to tell a lovely woman you admire her,' smiled the stranger. ' How shall I get home ?' murmured Nelly, despairingly. 'I will carry you.' ' Impossible !' she cried, blushing to her finger tips. ' And, besides, you are Lord Langholme's friend. ' What then V

' He might be angry with you for speaking to me, and papa! oh, papa would be half wild!

' I don't think Langholme would be veryimplacable,' said the young man, laughing down to the very depths of his blue eyes, and giving his fair curls a merry toss, ' and for Mr Huntingdon—can't we avoid his knowing!" 'But I couldn't let you carry me,' murmured Nelly, looking shyly at him. ' I'll be so gentle,' he pleaded. ' Oh, I'm not afraid of that !' ' What, then ?'

' If—if any one were to see you ?' ' Why surely it is the most natural thing in the world that, if you cannot walk, you should be carried; one of yoiir own menservants would have to do the same, and I should not be more repulsive to you than they, should I?' 'Ohno !' cried Nelly, quickly; but you'll get your feet wet.' ' That would be very dangerous for such a fragile, delicate creature as I am,' he laughed. ' Well, suppose 1 take off my shoes and socks ?' This with an arch glance at Nelly, who blushed again like the heart of a red rose, much to her own anger and discomfiture.

'ls Lord Langholme at the Court?' she asked suddenly. ' Not now,' answered the young man, with another of those smiles that became him so well. 'But I wish you would not make such a bugbear of him, Miss Huntingdon; he may have his faults, but he's not such a very bad fellow.' ' I'm quite sure I should never like him,' said Nelly, resolutely. ' Why ? what makes you so prejudiced ?' ' Because he's little and dark,' answered Nelly with great candour, feeling perfectly at home with the handsome young stranger. He laughed quite merrily. ' I'm so glad I am not little and dark, then, since you object to those attributes so strongly.' ' Oh ! I did not mean that.' ' Mean what !' 'That I admired you,' retorted Nelly, half vexed, half piqued. ' And I did not lay that nattering unction to my soul, I assure you, Miss Huntingdon. Will you do me a favor ?' ' What is it ?' ' Tell me your name.' ' You know it already.' ' No, but your Christian name.' ' Nelly—Eleanor.' ' Nelly,' he repeated, musingly ; ' what a pretty name !' ' And foVLYS V '' Adrian.' ' What else ?' He paused a moment. ' Adrian Wellesly.' ' Mr Wellesly ?' 'I hold the rank of captain in the Guards,' he said smiling ; ' you may give me my title if you like.' ' Captain Wellesly —yes, I like that best,' said Nelly, dwelling lingeringly on the name, as though it pleased her. ' I must go now,' she added, quickly, though reluctant to put an end to this first landmark in her dull life. Captain Wellesly drew back a step or two. ' But how are you going ?' he asked, with the arch smile peculiar to him. "I don't know,' she said, her face all aflame again in a moment. ' I suppose I must,' and she put out two little hands beseechingly, as a child who wants to be carried. To be continued.

NEW ZEALAND VOLUNTEER FORCE.

We already published a telegraphic summary of Major Gordon's report. The following portion of it. dealing with the equipment of the volunteers, observations, and suggestions, &c, we give in full:— Ordnance.

There is a desire on the part of artillery companies to be possessed of pieces of ordnance not heavier than 6-pounder Armstrongs. I know that the supply of guns of such calibre at the disposal of the Government is very limited; but I imagine that a small number of this useful and convenient description could now be procured from England at a very reasonable cost, so as to complete the number on issue to artillery companies to two per company, or probably those already on hand (and how many there are can be stated by the inspector of stores) might suffice, if it should be found convenient or desirable to give to naval corps the 24-pounder garrison guns on iron carriages which arc parked at Auckland. If two of these latter description were given to the naval corps at the Thames and Port Chalmers and to the artillery company at Lyttelton, a sufficient number of Cpounders might be found to equip the artillery companies with two each, and their 12pounder howitzers taken into store. The condition of the artillery company at Nelson would justify their being put into possession at once of two 6-poundcr Armstrongs, one from Auckland and the other from Lyttelton, as the company at the latter place wish to obtain garrison guns. The naval brigade in Auckland have in their charge two 40-poundcr Armstrongs, which are in position on the North Head of the Auckland Harbor, and which they wish to retain. Arms. By far the larger portion of the Enfield rifles in the hands of Volunteers are worn out. Many of them had been, before issue to Volunteers, in the hands of militiamen in remote localities, by whom they were used as fowling-pieces, and, upon being taken into store, were cleaned, browned, &c, and reissued to Volunteers, apparently new, but absolutely worthless. The Terry breach-loading carbines in the hands of certain cavalry and cadet corps are in a worse condition, and are positively dangerous. Of the cadet carbines, I believe there is a sufficient supply on hand to arm existing corps, for at present some corps are armed with Terry carbines and others with oldpattern sergeants' fusils, so that in firing for prizes all cadets are not on the same footing. Accoutrements Now in charge of Volunteer infantry companies are of an obsolete pattern. A neat black or patent leather waist-belt, with hook and eye clasps, ball bag, frog for sword bayonet, and rifle sling, are all that are necessary in the shape of accoutrements. Many corps would like to be permitted to wear a shoulder-belt, with small pouch attached; but these might be provided by the corps which desire to wear them at their own expense, and so become corps property. The clothing or uniform of Volunteers, not being Government property, is not under Government control, excepting in so far as the color of material and pattern is concerned. It would be very difficult, notwithstanding the stringent orders contained in the Volunteer regulations, to find in the whole colony two companies dressed alike; and this diversity is fatal to uniformity, particularly when any large number of Volunteers are massed for drill. Many corps have chosen grey Nelson cloth as their material—not. I think, because it is the prescribed cloth, nor because of its supposed suitability for serviceable uniform, but chiefly, I think, because of the facility with which it is obtained from the Government—viz, at a very moderate cost, and payment is not required until the close of the Volunteer year in which it is drawn from store. My own impression is that this cloth is unsuitable for uniform ; the material is good, but it is capable in the hands of the tailor of being primmed out in every possible shade ; and I have myself seen tunics constructed of this cloth of three different shades in the same tunic, arising from each piece probably having been shrunken in water of as many degrees of cleanliness or purity. With respect to the manufacture of the uniforrr in wear, much of it is execrably cut, and very mauy tailors are quite unable to make a suit which will fit comfortably and closely at the same time. I have seen some corps whose uniform was made as if by small children in a girl's school. The foraging cap is another article of dress which is almost impossible to have made in a smart or proper manner, the effort of the manufacturer being evidently to turn out a French cap or kepi, in which he sigual'y fails. He also usually supplies with this cap a chinstrap, of sufficient length to reach only to the nose or mouth of the wearer, who, in order to secure his cap to his head, is obliged to pass the strap round the back of the hear), after the manner of another branch of the colonial service.

I think Volunteers should he neatly and smartly dressed, but! uniformity should he insisted upon, and the general colour should, I consider, be rifle green—a colour worn by most rifle corps in England, as well as by the Rifle Brigade and 60th Rifles of the Imperial service. Th<* material should be ordered by the Government from England, and issued on payment from store ; and pattern tunic, cap, and trousers, should be sealed by the Government, and kept for inspection and guidance in the Volunteer office of each district—each corps to have its own facings, and some distinguishing device embroidered on the shoulder-strap. Distinguishing corps badges might also be allowed on the forage cap. I am able to transmit herewith patterns of the material I recommend for clothing, ranging in price from 3s per yard, 27 inches wiue, for a verv serviceable tartan (otherwise' serge), to 13s 6d for the finest cloth of 56 inches wide-all of rifle green colour. Of all these, the tartan kersey, at 3s 9d per yard, is the one, I believe, would be selected as of the most suitable and serviceable quality. These patterns have been procured from a military outfitter in England by Captain Derrom, Victoria Rifle Company. Artillery, cavalry, 'Scottish and naval companies might be allowed their distinctive uniform if they desire it; but, with these exceptions, 1 think all other corps, including engineers, should be made to adopt a similar uniform.

Observations and Suggestions.

To these I proceed with some diffidence, in consequence of my having been instructed

in your letter, No. 349, of 6th November last, that my duty as inspector was simply to report upon corps as as I found them; and I also discovered, not without some regret, that an intimation had been made to the officer commanding in Otago, from the defence officer, that my duty went so far, and no further.

But I think a report of this description would be considered very defective were I not permitted to some extent to submit my views and opinions on general matters affecting the force, not exactly confined to individual corps; and I must therefore ask your indulgence for yet a short period, in the hope that I shall be held free from censure in having exceeded the limit of the instructions conveyed to me and to the officer commanding in Otago.

That the Volunteer force of the colony is not in the condition in which it has been represented to be from time to time by officers commanding districts, in the capitation returns signed by them and transmitted to your office, cannot be denied ; that it has been in a very inefficient condition for some years past, is to me very obvious, and I regret to have to record my conscientious belief that the amount of public money expended as capitation on the 31st of March last is lamentably in excess of the sum which should otherwise represent the state of efficiency of the force in general, so that immediate and effectual measures should be had recourse to, to arrest for the future the useless and wanton expenditure which has for so long a period been carried on, and for which officers commanding districts are primarily accountable. It would be unfair and unjust to attach much blame to the Volunteers themselves (for most of them know nothing of the regulations of the service in which they are enrolled), when many of the officers appointed by the Government to administer the Volunteer Regulations, and who are commanded in their commissions carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of their rank by exercising and well-disciplining the force under their charge, habitually ignore the directions given to them for their guidance. The Regulations are very clear and emphatic in describing an efficient Volunteer as one who obtains a certificate (form annexed) showing that he possesses certain simple qualifications; that he cannot be deemed an efficient Volunteer otherwise (see clause 36 of the Regulations), and without this certificate capitation cannot be granted; but I have shown that instances abound in which the Government officer has recommended and procured capitation for men who have not [earned their certificates, and who have not so much as even heard of such a document.

(I may here, in parenthesis, give expression to the fear that Provincial Governments have been similarly imposed upon with respect to remission certificates .u the acquisition of land under the Volunteer Land Act, 1865.) I have also brought to your notice cases where no monthly parades are held, as the regulations direct—and yet it haß been certified that these parades have taken place; and again I have placed before you instances in which efficiency certificates have been thrust into the hands of men, and capitation thereby obtained for them, who did not (admittedly) possess the knowledge which their certificate affirmed that these men did possess. Can it be wondered at, then, that Volunteers will be lax in the way in which they perform their irresponsible duties? I think not.

Then, with respect to the ' Government drill-instructors. I think that Volunteers should be provided with the best men that can be procured, and there are many very excellent men employed in that capacity ; but there are some very indifferent ones too, like those at Napier. I know it is very difficult to obtain qualified drill-sergeants, and this is because the pay in the present state of things is wholly inadequate to their maintenance, in whicb respect it would be but fair to place them on an equality with sergeants of the armed constabulary. There is one point in connection with these drill-sergeants which has been brought by them under my observation, which is, that it has been ruled by the Government that they are not entitled to capitation. To them this deprivation is somewhat of a grievanee, seeing that the 11th clause of "The Volunteer Act, 1865," classifies them with '•'efficient Volunteers," and the 24th clause of the same Act sanctions the issue to efficient Volunteers of capitation. On your reconsideration of their request, perhaps you will bo good enough to obtain for them what it appears to me, by the authorities I have quoted, they may justly claim. In the first place, lax and incompetent commanding officers and unqualified drillinstructors, may then, I think, be held accountable for the unsatisfactory state of Volunteer matters, submitted perhaps in too forcible terms to your notice. As a second cause, I must blame captaius of companies, but in some measure only, for arming members of their corps without any preliminary drill, and placing them in the ranks beside their better-drilled comrades, when the 28th clause of the regulations enjoins upon them that they shall, before enrolling new members, subject their recruits to a pi escribed amount of rudimentary drill; for if this regulation were attended to, I am confident that larger attendances at drill than at present of the more competent members would result,

As a third cause, the press exercises a most pernicious and detrimental influence on the Volunteer movement, sometimes by enlarging in most laudatory terms upon the manner in which Volunteer corps go through their movemeuts on parade, when, as in some cases which I could instance, no parade has taken place at all, and at others by condemning what had taken place when attendance was large and movements very creditably executed indeed. The press also incites, no doubt unwittingly, in a large degree to acts of insubordination amongst Volunteers, by the publication of statements mendacious in the extreme, and eminently calculated to bringthe force into disgrace. I could record instances, but perhaps that which is already before you, and attached to this report, will suffice. I allude to the press publication of the proceedings alleged to have taken place at a meeting of the artillery company at Napier in April last ; for when the statement of what was said to have occurred is referred by you to the chairman of the meeting, Captain Routledge, for explanation, his testimony is that the statements in question had no foundation in fact. These false proceedings having been acceptel as facts in the case of the Napier artillery, no doubt incited a certain compauy at the Thames to hold an insubordinate meeting, which, as is

shown in correspondence attached hereto, resulted in the disbandraent of the corps. Another cause of the great decline in the efficiency of the Volunteer force is the constantly recurring assurance that new regulations are being prepared for introduction ; but the anticipated improvements are slow in presenting themselves. Reports and propositions are sometimes prepared, even by defence committees, with results equally unsatisfactory and unworkable withal, probably because their sittings and researches are confined to Wellington ; so that the force, after looking with some degree of interest and anxiety for the improvement of which they hear so much, is much disappointed in finding that no measures of practical utility are suggested or decided upon. Under such circumstances, there is some justification for the utterance of the sentiment held by certain "Volunleers in Wairarapa, that they were " just holding on to see what would turn up." Of late, Volunteers have been looking forward with revived interest to the promulgation of amended regulations recently referred to by the Hon the Defence Minister, as those, if found ineffectual to make the force more efficient than it is, will probably be the last attempt with such a view. If the amended regulations referred to are those which have been lately circulated amongst officers commanding districts for report, then I think it is no harm to say that, in my opinion, they are not calculated to bring about a change for the better ; on the contrary, many of the suggestions, if adopted, will have the effect of introducing trouble, discord, and greater inefficiency than at present exists. Of all the causes, however, which have tended to suppress the enthusiasm of volunteering which used formerly to obtain, is that of the unexampled prosperity of all portions of the colony, and advantage should be taken of so propitious a period (taking also into consideration the fact that the power of any force is quadrupled by the possession of breech-loading arms), to reduce materially, if disbandment is not decided upon, the unwieldy force now on paper only, and substitute small effective forces in populous localities only. After the annual class and district prize firing is over, and it should be completed by 31st of December next, I would recommend that the whole of the Enfield and Terry lifles, and their accoutrements, throughout the colony, be recalled into store; that for the three succeeding months, drills should be carried on without arms, so as to complete, if necessary, the number of parades to ensure capitation ; and on the 31st March disband the entire force, all commissions lapsing. Then, on the Ist April allow it to re-enrol, previously having employed an able commission, not composed of officers commanding districts, to visit the various centres of population, and obtain and record opinions from every reliable source, which may happily enable it to add to the present regulations (or cancel those which may be deemed obnoxious) such improvements as may be found to be necessary. This commission should commence its operations at once, so as to be able to present to the force, before the 31st of March, a well-digested and possible scheme, in order that, on the Ist of April following, the re-enrolment may be effected ; each corps then giving, before its services are accepted, an assurance that it will abide by and conform in every way to the new code. Then to these new corps let breech-loading arms be issued, but no ammunition until they are reported to be thoroughly acquainted with the firing exercise. This commission should also decide or recommend what number of corps shall be recognized, in what localities, and the number of each specific branch of the service, whether cavalry, artillery, infantry, or naval. By such means an efficient and manageable force will, I think, be obtained.

I do not myself think that the existing regulations can be improved upon excepting in very minor points, where additions would be desirable. I think they are excellent, so far as they go ; but for some unaccountable reason they seem to have been set aside by those whose duty it has been to administer them. As, however, the refrain on all sides is " give us new regulations," then I advise, let new regulations be tried. To give an example of one of the changes for the better which certain of the officers of the force consider should be introduced, they say, bring in a regulation " giving power to the captain of a company to dismiss summarily a Volunteer for any sufficient offence •whatever."

Such a proposal has been expressed to me, in the course of my inspections, by two or three officers, to whom my reply was, that it wouid be unsafe and improper to devolve such power upon any other authority than the Governor, who, before he would exercise his prerogative, would have had both phases of the cases submitted f orchis consideration. No other course would, at all events, satisfy the accused Volunteer.

That the existing regulations have defects and convey vague instructions there can be no doubt, but an experienced commission could, in a very short period, remedy and solve them all; and it is with this view that I think the commissioners should proceed to the head quarters of all districts, so as to be accessible to all ranks, from all localities, and to hear all that can be heard on all matters connected with the system now in force or proposed to be introduced. This commission might, I tLiuk, also be asked to give its opinion as to whether or not it would be advisable or expedient to permit men who do not desire or intend to re-enrol, to purchase Enfield rifles at a reduced cost, in order that they might be able to retain the knowledge acquired while belonging to the force, for by such an arrangement, the various companies would not be embarrassed by the occasional presence of men who were, although expert shots, in other respects useless as members of a corps. Such men might be termed " the Volunteer reserve," and i would be able to render effective service should circumstances require it; a register of their names and arms being kept in each district office, as well as by some civil functionary responsible under the Colonial Arms Acts, if such Acts prove to be applicable to such a proposition. Such a scheme is capable of being so worked out as to lead possibly to the supercession of the militia force, but ou this point it is not my duty to dilate.

Eifle Clubs

Much has been said in various quarters—and somewhat reproachfully, too—that Volunteers are nothing but rifle clubs. And why should rifle corps not be rifle clubs ? I confess to not seeing any very great impropriety in each corps establishing within itself, and under the control of the captain of the company, for the arms are his property for the time being, a corps club,

The assertion so commonly made that Volunteer corps are nothing but rille clubs is, in my experience, an unfounded one, for in all my inquiries on this subject I have found that the members of these rifle clubs were, in the majority of cases, the most regular attendants at drill ; therefore, I feel bound to say that when a Volunteer corps is censoriously termed a rifle club, the censure is undeserved. I speak in general terms on this subject, for I do know of some individual Volunteers who only appear at rifle practice ; but these are cases in which the captain of the company, for he has the power to do so, should deprive a man of his rifle until he has satisfied his captain, by his knowledge of his continuous duty in the ranks, that he is eligible to be armed. Cadets.

In another portion of this report I have alluded to the prosperous condition of the colony at large as the primary or chief cause of the decline of the Volunteer movement, and I suppose there is no section of the force which has been more affected by this prosperity than has been the cadet branch thereof. The period is not yet forgotten when youths of seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen years of age could scarcely find employment, but now lads of thirteen or fourteen, only partially educated, are eagerly sought for to fill comparatively important positions in offices, companies, &c, and it is generally from schools in which cadet companies have been established that the supply is procured.

Ifc is, therefore, seeing that lads are not enrolled as cadets until they have attained the age of twelve, almost the rule that such boys do not receive more than perhaps from six to nine or twelve months (exclusive of holidays) military training, and as a consequence of their being now enabled to embark in life at so youthful an age, school cadet companies change each year in their materia;, a change perhaps not very gratifying to a drill instructor ; but it is a gratifying circumstance, nevertheless, that the lads have been much benefited in a variety of ways by the short period of military training to which they have been subjected. Then there are cadet companies composed to a large extent of apprentices to various trades ; these also, from demands even upon their extra time, are unable to attend night drill so regularly or so continuously as would otherwise be desirable.

In outlying districts there are also cadet contingents under partial training; these also are, by reason of the demand for adult labor, employed in daily occupations formerly performed by older hands, and are able only with the greatest difficulty to attend even one drill in a month, and the difficulty is enhanced by their being compelled to walk, in some cases, many miles to their drillground. Under such circumstances, cadets (lads between twelve and seventeen) cannot be expected to attain to a very high degree a knowledge of military duties ; but notwithstanding all this, I think the amount granted to cadets, in the shape of capitation, is money well spent. It is to be hoped that hereafter some system may be devised by which boys of all ages attending school may be enabled to participate, even to a small extent, in the advantages attaching to the practice of military exercises.

Concluding Observations. In the preceding portion of this report, I have endeavored to report, as impartially and as faithfully as it is in ray power to do so, ou the condition of the Volunteer Force. I have exposed what I deemed to be grave irregularities, and with a view to prevent a recurrence of them I have suggested the means which I cousider should be had recourse to, to either make the regulations more stringent than they are, or to remove such portions thereof as may be found irksome or oppressive. But the most pleasant portion of my duty remains to be performed, which is, that I must record my respectful opinion —in opposition to the habit, which has become so prevalent of late, of decrying and denouncing, in harsh and unmeasured terms, the services of the Volunteer Force—that the services which have been been rendered to the country at large by Volunteers, in time of need and calamity which are past, and which still continue to be afforded so far as the recent altered and happy state of things will permit, should not be either forgotten or lightly esteemed. With respect to those who do habitually attend drill, I am able confidently to state that there could not exist a more intelligent, obedient, and apt body of men, when under proper management—men who deserve every consideration and encouragement. Why they attend drill at all, in view of the contemptuous and prejudicial opinions which, in numerous and influential quarters too, are given expression to with respect to the force generally, is a matter of much surprise. It can only be from a total ignorance of the subject of which they, doubtless, suppose themselves to be complete masters, that such persons are led to malign a force who6e gallantry and patriotism, from the earliest introduction of the system, have been tested in countless instances. In the recent war, I think it will be admitted that our Volunteers, or irregular troops, contributed not a little, in conjunction With the Imperial forces, to the subjuga' fcion of the enemy. In our more recent campaigns on the East and West Coasts, were not our European forces composed of Volunteers? Subsequently, on the occasion of the murder of Sullivan in the Waikato, there were as many as 200 Volunteers from and around Auckland alone, prepared to move to that locality at the shortest notice, and these were men then serving in our Volunteer ranks. And on the last occasion, in December or January last, on which a call was made for Volunteers for any service which might be required from them in the Waikato, the response was such from Auckland and the Thames that three strong companies were instantly organised, and as many as 500 men were rejected as not being required. The spirit of volunteering is not, then, dormant; but upon the measures which may now be adopted will probably depend its utter extinction or resuscitation—so that those upon whom shall devolve the consideration of these two important questions, should be asked to take as the text of their deliberations, the truism, attributed to the first Napoleon, that " That nation stands upon a rock, whose citizens (as distinguished from regular soldiers) are at all times prepared to shoulder the musket."

I have, &c„ William Gordon, Major, Inspector of Volunteers The Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington,