THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2538, 29 May 1882, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM.

fPBEBB ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] WELLINGTON, May 27,

The “ Post ” to-night states that it is understood that tbe recommendation about to bo represented by the Board of Officers ordered to report on the volunteer system in Now Zealand will include the following suggestions :—Volunteers to serve three years in first line and one year in second line, and to be subject during that period to all existing regulations, To sign on enrolment an engagement to serve for the prescribed period. To take tho. required oaths, and to furnish address. No person under seventeen years to be enrolled, oxoept trained Musicians. In other special cases the enroltnents to take place half-yearly, and candidates to submit their names to tbe commanding officer for approval thirty days prior to the date of enrolment, together with particulars of age, height end occupation. Volunteers not to be allowed to resign except on account of health or departure from the colony, but on removal to another part of the colony to be transferred to the local corps. Troops of cavalry and batteries of artillery to consist of not less than thirty or more than fifty men, exclusive of officers. Companies of infantry not less than forty or more than sixty, A regiment of cavalry to be formed for each island, and one of artillery for the whole colony. Six regiments infantry bo formed named

1. Auckland (including that province, excepting Gisborne). 2. Wellington (including Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, but excluding Wanganui, Patea, and Kangitikei), 3. Taranaki (including Wanganui, &a.) 4. Nelson (including Marlborough and Westland). 5. Canterbury (including Oamarn). 6. Otago (including Southland). Precedence of arms to be as follows : First line of cavalry, artillery, rifles; second line, Navals and rifles. Precedence of companies to go by seniority, and of officers by rank and date of commission. The colonial commandant to superintend the whole organisation, training, &0., of the volunteer force. Naval companies to be stationed at Thames, Auckland, Nelson, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, to consist entirely of seamen, and to take the right of the second line. Naval officer to hold a higher rank than lieutenant. A qualified naval instructor to be obtained from the Royal Navy. Infantry and artillery of first line to attend annually at twenty daylight drills of three hours’ duration. Bach day in camp to count as two daylight drills. Pay for each three hours’ drill to be 2s 6i for all ranks. Officers to provide their own uniform, but complete uniforms to be issued by the Government to every volunteer of the first line under commissioned officers’ rank, snoh uniforms to last for three years (excepting great coats, which are to last six years, and then to become the property of the volunteer. Every volunteer to give promissory note for £3, to cover cost In case of detention of his uniform. A capitation allowance of ton shillings per annum will be granted to each company of the fi'st line for every volunteer (excepting surgeons and chaplains), who has attended fifteen daylight drills in the year. Any volunteer failing so to attend to receive no pay, to be entitled to no efficiency certificate, and to pay 10s to the funds of his corps. The second line is to be raised witkin twenty-five miles of the company they support in the first line. The second line’s capitation grant is to be as at present, 30s per annum, with arms and ammunition, but uniforms are not found. Six inspection and six company parades to be attended to qualify for capitation. An adjutant at £3OO per annum is to be appointed for each regiment, with a bonus of £SO after five years, and a subsequent increase of £lO per annum to his pay. Drill instructors at £l5O per annum. One to be provided at the rate of one to each six companies. Officers in the first instance are to be appointed on the recommendation of the enrolling cdoers, and vacancies are to be filled by election from candidates submitted to the company by the commandant. Senior lieutenants are to be promoted to vacant captaincies so far as possible. Non-commis-sioned officers are to ba appointed by the commanding officer of the regiment on the recommendation of the company officers. Volunteers, oa the expiration of their term of service, are to receive certificate of discharge and efficiency if deserved. The following penalties are prescribed : Absence from parade, forfeiture of pay with a fine of same sum if no sufficient explanation of absence is forthcoming; absence from five consecutive parades, fine of £5 or ton days’ imprisonment ; absence from recruit drill, 2s 6i for the first offence, 5s for the second, dismissal for the third ; inattention and talking in the ranks, Is for each offence ; slovenliness, 2s 6J ; drunkenness, ss, or ten days’ imprisonment, and if a non-com-missioned officer, to be reduced to the ranks, and if commissioned officer, deprivation of commission as well; discharging firearms in public without authority, £2 ; insubordination, £2 to £lO, or ten to twenty days' imprisonment, and summary dismissal ; absence from duty when called out for actual service, £SO or six weeks’ imprisonment. Volunteers mey be arrested by order cf officer and detained in custody, but must be brought before a Magistrate within three days. Offieers to tried by court martial, without power to enforce penalties. Courts of enquiry to be held when necessary. Commanding officer to be allowed £3O a year in lieu of travelling expenses ; other volunteer officers to be allowed 10j to 18i a day when travelling on duty ; pay and equipment in actual service to bo scheduled.

Volunteers changing their address must notify such change to the commanding officer under a penalty of ss. There are numerous other recommendations, but above are those of chief importance and interest.