CHRISTCHURCH VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1803, 1 December 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.

Borne months ago the orderly room of the Christcburch Volunteer Artillery was destroyed by fire. In the fire the earlier records of the battery were destroyed, and, with the view of restoring them, as far as possible, Captain Craig, with the assistance of Lieut. Stansell and other members of the corps, has compiled from memory the following history of the battery from its formation down to the present time. This record, with some valuable observations appended, was read by Captain Craig at a meeting of the members of the corps, held at the British Hotel last Friday, and is as follows : The volunteer system was inaugurated in Canterbury in 1860, when five companies were formed. Major Scott being in command of the battalion. The Christchurch Artillery, as a military body, was for some time known hb No. 1, C.R.V., and was commanded by Crosbie Ward, Rsq., M.H.K. and PostmasterGeneral. As a rifle company it had amongst its members several first-class marksmen, and was always to the fore in rifle competitions. In 1867 William Frederick Moore, sometime of the Royal Artillery, joined the company as captain, with Charles Allison and John Brough Staneell as lieutenants. Application was then made to the Government to ohange it from a rifle to an artillery company which was granted from December 31st, 1667. The newly-formed battery received two 24,1 b. howitzers and two cohorns. One of the howitzers was shortly exchanged for a 121 b. Armstrong. The battery became very popular, and the members by close drill and attention soon became good artillerists. The first important engagement they took part in was the famous battle of White's bridge on 9th November, 1868, when the cohorns did good service. Gunner Hart was unfortunately thrown down, when the wheel of the howitzer passed over him, breaking some of his ribs, but not permanently injuring him. Captain Moore resigned on November 21st, 1868. Lieutenant Allison commanded the battery till 3rd August, 1869, when James Alexander Bird, formerly captain of the New South Wales Artillery, waselected captain ; Lieutenant Allison resigned 27th June, 1870, and second Lieutenant Stansell was elected in his place. Gunner David Craig was elected second Lieutenant on the 7th December, 1870, and on Captain Bird resigning on the 26th of September, 1574, Lieutenant Craig was unanimously elected Captain, Lieutenant Stansell declining to stand. On the 18th January, 1877, J. T. Strange was elected second Lieutenant. Lientenant Stansell has been recently compelled to resign in consequence of other pressing duties. The battery, as appears in the previous minutes, have recorded this resignation with regret. The battery has attended all the encampments held in Canterbury, and has invariably been commended by the inspecting officers. In 1873 two detachments held a gun competition with detachments from H.M.S. Basilisk, when the latter won, but when the guns were exchanged the Christchurch Artillery were the winners. A detachment also attended the) review in Dunedin in November, 1878, -when in a dismounting competition the Dunedin Artillery were easily beaten. Detachments also attended the Invercargill review at Easter, 1879.

The Artillery has been particularly fortunate in its non-commissioned offioers, to whom a corps is largely indebted for its success. We cannot name them all, but we must refer to our late lamented drill instructor, SergeantMajor Kerr, accidentally killed by a fall from a buggy at Temuka. Sergeant-Major Warner, Sergeant T. Asbton, Sergeant-Major Saven, Quarter-Master Sergeant Fox, SergeantMajor Roberts, and Sergeant Hill, all of whom hare from time to time been conspicuous members of the battery. Others past and present might be montionod, but our older members are entitled to precedence. At present the officers and non-commis-sioned officers are: — David Craig (captain, joined as gunner), 1870. J. T. Strange (lieutenant), 1573. W. J. Raven (sergeant-major), 186 Si John Fox (quarter-master sergeant), 1869. Mapp («ergeant armorer). Bowland Hill (sergeant), 1874. Duncan (sergeant), 1878. Mills (corporal), 1875. Q-irdler (corporal), 1878. The battery recently gained great eslat by being the first to offer its services to the Government when an outbreak amongst the Maoris appeared imminent, and the Government gratefully acknowledged the offer. Offers of service soon followed from other corps, and the volunteer* may be pardoned for concluding that their readiness to fight had a most telling effect upon the warlike tendencies of the Natives. I deeply regret that I was out of the colony when this offer of eervioe was made. The present strength of the battery is 65, and I thine: that as regards efficiency both as.

to drill and equipments, we were never in a better condition. More punctual attendance Tipon drill is rtill very desirable. Within a thort time we shall have to measure ourselves against other batteries from the South, and our reputation is already such that we cannot afford to be beaten. In gun drill I shall ask that special detachments be nominated for the howitzer and Armstrong guns, so that in the event of competition there may be no hitch. While I shall expect every man to be proficient at either gun. I shall look for him being particularly so at the gun to which he is attaohed. I must also impress* upon you No. 16 of the regulations, which specifies that no volunteer can quit his corps unless he gives three months' notice of his intention in writing, subject to certain modifications_in the event of his leaving tie district, delivering up in good order and condition all arms, clothing ice., and paying all money due or becoming due by him under the rules ot his corps before, or at the time, and by reason of his quitting it. I need not remind you of the several instances when the magistrates have promptly given judgment against incompetent and defaulting volunteers." Captain Oraig concluded his address by again referring to the resignation of Lieutenant Stansell, and to the desirability of filling up the vacancy in such a way as would tend to preserve the feeling of unanimity characteristic of the corps.