VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT IN TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 65, 17 January 1908, Page 3

VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT IN TE KUITI.

♦— —■ —- It will be remembered that in November last, Staff Sergt-Major Coleman visited Te Kuiti for the purpose of fonjrog- a Mounted Rifle Corps in the dOTfct. That his efforts have borne fruit was evidenced on Monday last, when some twenty men turned out to a dismounted parade. During the evening the troop was instructed by Sergt.-Major Coleman in dismounted drill and although almost all present were recruits, they carried out the various movements in a creditable manner. Rifles and bandolier equipment were issued during the evening to a number of the men and further equipment has been placed on order, and will probably be issued at the parade to be held next Thursday evening at 7.30 p.m. At the conclusion of the parade Capt. Allen Bell, of Hamilton, addressed a few words to the men and urged them to do their duty to the Empire in making themselves efficient defenders. This was the duty that was placed on every man who called himself a Britisher, and he trusted the men of Te Kuiti would in this respect not allow themselves to be behind any other portion of the Dominion. He had no doubt that they would have a corps in Te Kuiti that would be a credit to the district and the Dominion. Capt. Berry, who is in command of the corps, stated that parades would beheld every Thursday evening at 7.30 p.m., when he trusted that every member of the corps would consider it his duly to be present. A parade would be held on the 28th inst. when the Staff Instructor (Sergt.-Major Coleman) would be present. Messrs John Hetet and Jer. Ormsby have rendered great assistance to the movement bj r inducing a number of young men to join and also gave valuable assistance in securing a rifle range. The proposed range, which is situated at Waiteti, was inspected on Monday by Sergt-Major Coleman, who considers it an ideal site. An endeavour will be made to open the range on the 29th inst.