THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2307, 26 August 1881, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

fßr Telegraph.]

[FBOM THE OITS COEBBSPONBBNT OP THb “PRESS.”] WELLINGTON, Auguat 25. The annual Volunteer report was presented this evening. Colonel Reader says :—“ The returns show a decrease of seventeen adult and nine cadet corps, and a total decreese in number of 1325 adults and 966 cadets. Of the seventeen adult corps disbanded, twelve were in the Taranaki and Patea districts, and formed part of those which had only bean embodied in 1879 for the protection of the district, at a time when serious disturbances with the Natives seemed imminent. As soon as the reason for the continuance of their services no longer existed, the men asked to be disembodied, so that they might he relieved from training, and enabled to resume their ordinary avocations, which had been seriously interrupted by the threatened disturbances. There having been no official inspection of the force during the first year, I called upon officers commanding diafiicts to report upon the state of the corps under their command, and their reports have beer, gencraliv very satisfactory. The attendance at drill has been good, and the interest in the Volunteer movement not diminished in consequence of the reduced rate of capitation allowed for the past year. Facilities have been given for importing regulation uniforms from England through the Government on moderate and favorable terms, of which several corps have already availed themselves, and more are anxious to do so. Damps were held at Easter in the Waikato, at Nelson, and at Oamarc, with considerable success. The meeting in the Waikato was attended by a total strength of 1017, furnished from all parts of the Auckland district. At Nelson the number wag 526, of which upwards of 300 went over from Wellington. At Oamaru the the total number assembled was 1166, representing corps from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Lake districts. The force is now well supplied with small arms, but the want of sufficient light ordnance for the Artillery and Naval Brigades is much felt. I strongly recommend a revision of the volunteer regulations, and that the work be entrusted to a Board of volunteer officers of experience in the force, who would be best able to suggest what alterations are required to promote the interest and wellbeing of the movement. The total number of volunteers in the colony is 7153, exclusive of 1845 cadets.