NEW VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2666, 23 October 1882, Page 3

NEW VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

The following circular addrersed to Major Lean has been handed to ui for publication : Defence Office, Wellington, October 11th, 1883. Pir, —I am directed by the Hon. the Defence Minister to inform yon that certain changes is the constitution and organisation of the Volnateer force will take place from the Ist of January, 1883, and m order to save time and give every opportunity for marchers of Volunteer corps to discuss and consider the new regulations under which they will have to serve, the principal points will be briefly detailed 1. Volunteer corps will be divided into two classes, viz;— 1. Garrison or head-quarter corps. 2. Country corps. 2. Qarriten corps are such as form part of the fixed establishment the Government consider necessary for the service of the colony. 3. Country companies are all other corps whose services are continued but not included in the fixed establishment.

4. The qualification for c ipitatisa for garrison corps will be as follows : (a) Attendance at twelve Government parades of not loss than two hon-e' duration, one hoar of which must be devoted absolately to drill; foar of these parades must be held in daylight. (b) To fire in first and eecond periods of target practice, and go through the fink and second periods of judging distance drill.

5. For country corps members to qualify for capitation, will have to attend one inspection of arms, accoutre monta, Ac., in each quarter, and undergo not less than one honr’s drill, and also fire in the first and second periods ef target practice, and go through the fi at and second periods of judging distance practice. 6 No 'parade drill or inspection to reckon towards capitation in either garrison or country corps if less than the minimum strength of this corps is present. 7. The maximum and minimum strength of corps of all arms to be as follows: Garrison corps Maximum - ... 63 Minimnm 43 Country corps— Maximum ... ... ... 50 Minimum 30 8. Every Volunteer to enrol for twelve months’ continuous service, and untrained recruits only permitted to enrol for corps in the month* of January and July in each year. 9. These recruits to be formed into (quads irrespective of corps. They will have to attend thirty hours’ recruit drill and go through tho first and second periods of target and judging distance practices, when if reported efficient, they will be passed in drill and join tbs ranks of their corps. 10. Capitation can be claimed for these recruits provided the period under instruction has cot exceeded six months, and a free issue of a serge suit will be granted to enable them to attend recruits’ drill in uniform. 11. Mon who have previously received a military training can be enrolled at any period daring the year, but they will not receive capitation unless they have qualified (or it by attending the requisite number of parades. 12. Officers and non commissioned officers will have to undergo an examination (before their appointments are confirmed) in certain subjects which will be specified in the new regulations. 13. Garrison bands only will ba permitted in stations where ihera ora four corps or upwards, cf a strength in proportion of five men to each corps. 14. They are to be under the control of the officer in command of the district. Capitation will ba granted to bandsmen who attend the proper number of parades, and Government assistance afforded towards defraying expenses of instruction. 15. At places where there are less than four corps, the same proportion cf bandsmen will be allowed, bat no other assistance will be granted. 16 Volunteer Corps who are at present above tbe m iximnm strength laid down in now regulations, will bo required to reduce their numbers to the fixed establishment bsfora the 31st of January, IntS, and may adipt snob means by ballot or otherwise, as may bo deemed best to carry out the required reduction. 17. Corps failing to do so before the above date will ba disbanded, and sew corps of tho authorised establishment farmed in their place. 18 Cadet C 'rps, except those in connection with schosla, will be disbanded at the close of ths present year. 19. Hegnlation uniforms will ba paid for as heretofore ont of capitation, the Government obtaining them on application from corps. 20. The question of uniforms for country corps will be dealt with hereafter. 21. Corps at deiignatad Engineers will cease to be recognised os such after 31et December, 1882. 22. Naval Volunteers v ill ba re-constrnoted as “ Naval Artillery Volunteers,” to be trained at tho four principal ports in the working of the heavy batteries about to bo erected, for which a special allowance will ba granted, as specified in forthcoming regulations. 23. If you require any further information on tbe points touched upon in this memorandum it will be at once furnished to you on application to this office. I have, &c., H. S. Esadxb, Lieut.-Col., Under Secretary Defence. To Officer Commanding Canterbury Distriet. Defence Office, Wellington, 16th October, 1882. Sir,—With reference to circular letter No. 5'6, of tho 11th instant, lam instructed by the Hon. tee Defence Minister to state that tho fixed establishment cf the adnlt volunteer force in the Canterbury district will ba from the Ist January, 1883, as follows : One corps Naval Artillery Volunteers (Cyttelton) One corps Cavalry Volunteers One corps Artillery Volunteers (Chris tobnreb) One corps Artillery Volunteers (Timarnl Four corps Volunteers (Christchurch and Lyttelton) Two country corps (Temnka Eifls Volunteers and Ashburton Jiifle Volunteers). I have, &0., H. S. Hesdkk, Lieut.-Col.. Under-fe'ecratary Defense. To Officer Commanding Canterbury District.