OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2298, 15 August 1881, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

To the hditor of the Globe. Sib, —Having served a number of years in the Volunteers in the mother country, I took a stroll to the drill shed on Tuesday, the 9th instant, aa a spectator at the inspection of the Volunteers, and I must say that their clean uniform, belts, accoutrements, and soldier-like appearance was admired by every one. The officer commanding the battalion not being there, the inspection was conduoted by the senior captain. Aot the Ist. The inspection of armß and accoutrements was done in too hurried a manner, for it was all done in five minutes. Act the 2nd was a complete huddle of blunders from beginning to end. After a strong effort on the oaptain's part the men were got into open order for the manual exercise. I assure you it was a complete failure. In all my experience in the Volunteers I never saw an officer that required a prompter until then. Well, sir, the men were got into close order for aot the third. The order was, " The line will retire. Quick march." As the men did not move the order was repeated the seoond time. Still the men performed their part in a proper manner, for not one attempted to move. The officer, finding himself in the wrong again, threw up the sponge and retired. They were then taken for a march out, more to revive them than anything else, for there was many a face in the ranks whioh told that they were suffering a deal of pain. I remained in the drill shed until they came back, to see how the performance would terminate. I was disappointed. The Artillery were taken to their gun shed, and the Infantry company were taken in hand by their first lieutenant, and they were put through a number of movements, whioh they did in a very steady and soldier-like manner, which shows that they can do it providing they are handled in a proper way; and so ended the inspection. Now, sir, it is evident that the time has arrived for the Government to stamp out, and at once, the greatest evil whioh exists amongst them, and that is the non-efficient officers, for there is no greater drawback to a company than an undri'led officer. It is a shame that euoh a thing has been allowed to exist so long. In the mother oountry it would not be allowed to exist one week. Surely, sir, if the men send a petition to the Minister of Defenoe, stating their grievance (for they have cause to oomplain), it would be looked into. There are plenty of men in this town who have served in her Majesty's army, andsoores of young fellows that have been in _ the Volunteers at home would willingly join, providing the officers were effioient in their I drill. ONE WHO WOULD JOIN. <