Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magisitri. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1127, 22 September 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magisitri. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1871.

We would again i emind our readers that the tea nieeeting at the Meanee Presbyterian Church takes place this evening) at half past six o'clock.

"We learn that the Band of the Napier Artillery Volunteers give the first of a series of open air concerts this evening, on the green opposite the Herald office.

We are pleased to hear that the recently-formed drum and fife band, in connection with the Napier Rifle Cadets, is in a very progressive state, and that but a short time will elapse before they will be sufficiently advanced to play in public.

Tbe total number of Volunteers in New Zealand in June, 1870, was 5,407, ©f which number 3,811 qualified themselves for capitation allowance. Since then, the force has gone on gradually increasing till, on the 31st March, 1871, the total strength was 6,568, of which number 4,880 received capitation money, being an increase of 1,069 efficients in the year. This excess may be attributed to the increased capitation allowance, which was raised from 25s for all corps to the original grant of £3 to Cavalry and Artillery, and £2 10s to Rifle Volunteers, as well as to the encouragement given to the whole movement by the liberal grant of the Legislature towards the Colonial Prize Firing. In the North Island, the Militia Act being in force has also had the effect of swelling the Volunteer ranks, especially in some of the country districts.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, F. Dyett was charged with a breach of the Ha wire's Bay Police Act, in having unlawfully ridden a horse in a public thoroughfare, namely Shakespeare-road, at such a rate as to endanger the live 3of passengers. Mr Inspector Scully and Constable Farmer deposed that on Saturday last the defendant gallopped up Shakespeare-road at a furious pace, to the great danger of some children in the street, who had barely time to get out of his way.— The defendant said that at the time mentioned his care-horse's breeching had given way, and the cart was on top of the horse. He had just been told of this, and was in a hurry to go the assistance of the man who was driving, but he did not go faster than a trot.— The case was adjourned for an hour to enquire into the truth of this statement. It was then found that though the defendant's statement was partially correct, he had misrepresented the matter. —His Worship said that the offence was proved, and the defence, even if sustained, could only show extenuating circumstances. He would, therefore, taking into consideration that it was a first offence ; inflict the minimum penalty of 10s, with the costs of the case, 5s 6d.

Among the Parliamentary Papers just to hand is the annual report of Lieut.-Col. Harington, Inspector of Militia and Volunteers. "We extract those portions which are of local interest. In reference to the Militia, the Inspector writes :—" At Napier the Militia have not been out for training and exercise since March, 1869; and as the few drills they have undergone since they were called out in January have been performed without any addition to the Staff, they know but little. The Militia are composed of eight companies in North Napier, of which four are in the town, and the remainder at Pulcetapu, Meanee, Clive, and Havelock, amounting to 256 men. These have to meet at nineleen different places for drill, many of them at long distances from each other. It could scarcely be expected that much progress could be made in a short time in so extensive a district, where the Adjutant, with the assistance of only one drill-instructor, had laroe numbers of men under instiuction for only two hours a month, and especially as manv have had few opportunities of acquiring any previous knowledge of drill. The difficulty of teaching so many men with such a limited number of instructors is great, and is enhanced in this district b the scattered nature of the population." With regard to the Napier volunteers, the Inspector writes : —" This district contains one Cavalry, «pne Artillery, two Rifle, and one Cadet corps. Owing to the heavy floods, I was unable to inspect the Wairoa Company; but Major Withers reports them as attentive. Tn consequence of the exposed position of the settlement, they have lately been armed with the Snider rifle. The Rawke's Bay Cavalry are not numerous, but are a useful corps, having on several occasions volunteered for active service. Many members live at some distance from town, and as the drill is conducted by the commanding officer of the troop, without the assistance of a drill-instructor, much credit is due to him tor their state. The Artillery are comparatively a newlyraised corps, and have felt the want of a thoroughly competent instructor, who is not easily supplied in the Colony for this branch of the service. They have shown a disposition to learn their duties* and, consideiing the above disadvantages, have made fair progress; but their firing was not very good. The Napier Rifle Company has improved in appearance and drill. Several went through class firing, and one member was qualified to represent his district at Auckland. The Cadet Corps is quite new, but from the manner in which the preliminary exercises of extension motions, facings, <fec , were performed, I think there is every chance of its being a success." The gallant colonel, in his report, it will be observed, has given the Napier Rifle Volunteers credit for having sent one member only to the Colonial Prize Filing at Auckland. Of course our readers are all aware that two members (Messrs. Renouf and Chicken) qualified themselves.