KUMARA RIFLE VOLUNTERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2047, 21 March 1883, Page 2

KUMARA RIFLE VOLUNTERS.

FIRST QUARTERLY INSPECTION. Last night the Kumara Rifle Volunteers held their first quarterly inspection parade under the new Volunteer Regulations. All the members of the Company were present with the exception of one, who was sick or suffering from an accident. Capt. Webb (the District Adjutant), Capt. Bonar (the Officer Commanding the District), Lieut.' Spence (Drill Instructor), and Lieut. Wade (First Westland Rifles), also attended. The Band of the First Westland Rifles kindly volunteered their services on the occasion, and accompanied by Drum-Major Etheridge and the officers whose names are already mentioned were driven up from Hokitika in a four-horse coach, piloted by the skilful jehu Angus Cameron. They arrived in Kumara at about eight o’clock. Shortly afterwards, the Adjutant, Capt. Webb, together with Capt. Bonar, proceeded to the drill-shed and inspected the arms and accoutrements of the Kumara Rifles 3 after which, headed by the Band, who were marshalled by Drum-Major Etheridge, bearing his staff in true military style, the procession marched down Main street, up Seddon street, and back on to the Recreation Ground, where Capt. Webb put the company through battalion movement, changing from line to column and from column to line, then to half-column of company; and on the march changing direction to the right and wheeling to time. After this Capt. O’Hagan was called upon to put the Company through the manual and firing exercises, which the Corapanj' did with credit. Lieut. Davies was then called out to drill the Company. Ic was formed to the front, to right and to left, then in extended order’, advancing and retiring, closing and extending, and forming files and groups. After about an hour and a-half’s drilling, the Company were marched back to the drill-room, when Capt. Webb complimented the Company for the very steady manner in which they had gone through their drill; all the arms, he observed were exceedingly clean. One thing, however, he wished to mention : this Company were drilling in the long-rifle-drill. Now as in all other parts of New Zealand, the short-rifle drill was in vogue, he wished this company to do the same. As regards the new uniform, the Government was prepared to supply it to all Volunteer companies. At this stage of the proceedings Capt. Bonar wished all who were in favor of

Capt. O’Hagan continuing to be Captain of the Kumara Rifles to signify the same by a show of hands. The result was unanimous, and Captain O’Hagan was declared Captain of the Kumara Rifle Volunteers under the new Regulations for the ensuing year. In the same manner also Lieut. Davies and Sub-Lieut. Borlase were unanimously re-elected. The Band and Volunteers were then dismissed. THE SUPPER. After dismissal in the Shed the Band of the First Westland Rifles voluntarily formed into procession, and marched to the front of Gilbert Stewart’s Hotel, where the Kumara Company by their officers entertained all the visitors to a substantial supper, provided and served in the manner for which the host and hostess have made their house famous. Captain O’Hagan presided ; on his right were Capt. Bonar and Capt. Wade, and on his left Capt. Webb and Lieut. Spence; whilst Lieut, Davies occupied the vice-chair. When ample justice had been done to the substantial and delicate things provided, Capt. O’Hagan rose and said it had been their intention to spend a long time together, but that was not now practicable, owing to the lateness of the hour and our friends having a long distance to go; he would therefore confine them to one toast, and would ask everyone present to drink the toast of “ Our Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria.” He hoped the time was far distant when she should cease to reign over us.—[Applause.] The National Anthem followed by the whole company. Capt. O’Hagan then said : When he considered the kindness of Captain Bonar, he knew the Band would not have come out without him. Between the kindness shown by the officers and Band of the Hokitika Company he could not resist the temptation of proposing another toast —“ Our Guests, coupled with the names of Captain Webb and Captain Bonar.” [Applause.] Capt. Bonar thanked those present for the kind way they had drunk their health. Although he came to Kumara that evening more in the path of duty than any other cause, it gave him great pleasure to see the marked progress which had been made by the Kumara Rifle Volunteers. They had had great difficulties to contend with, but they were nevertheless making progress in their efficiency ; he must say they had done well, and had stuck to their duty. The company bad all the elements of strength in it, and he was quite satisfied it would soon be in a complete state of efficiency under Captain O’Hagan. Anything which they could do in helping the noble and patriotic cause, they would do. It was a great pleasure to have Captain Webb, and he hoped his presence would do us all good. He felt sure that under the new regulations the men would be even more attentive than hitherto. He was quite sure the Kumara Volunteers would long continue to hold their place as one of the best companies in New Zealand. [Applause.] He again thanked them for their kind toast. Capt. Webb could S say that he did not expect to find such an able-bodied and efficient company'as he had now seen in Kumara. They were the finest body of men he had seen of any corps he had visited in his districts. This was his first visit to Kumara; but he should not be long away; he expected to be down again next June. He would ask them to join with him in drinking the health of “ Our hosts, Captain O’Hagan and the Kumara Volunteers for they are jolly good fellows.—[Applause.] The song of those words was then sung. Capt, Bonar remarked that it was a fact worth noting that every member of the Kumara Volunteer Company was present, except one man who had” met with an accident.—[Applause.] Song by Mr Spence —“ John Barleycorn rendered with chorus by the company. Captain O’Hagan replied on behalf of the Kumara Volunteers. He was happy to say he never smelt powder; though he believed he was the first to agitate the formation of Volunteer Companies on the West Coast ; this he did at Ross.—[Hear, hear.] He hoped the spirit of volunteering would never die out in Kumara. The new regulations had deprived the company of some of the best men they had had, bub he believed this was because they did not properly understand the new Government regulations. Ho felt quite certain that when they came to understand the regulations properly they would return to their former allegiance, [Hear, hear) —as he knew the spirit of volunteering still lived within them. He had east the Mayorship—a position which he prized very highly, as it was

the greatest honour that could be conferred upon him : —aside, that he might devote more time to volunteering.— [Hear, hear.] He preferred “ Captain O’Hagan ” to “ Mayor of Kumara. [Hear, hear.] There was great room for improvement in the company, but he hoped next time that they had the honor of a visit from Captain Webb he would find the corps even more efficient than they are now. Song by Captain Webb : “ Then let the world jog along as it will! 111 be free and easy still.” The whole company then rose and joined in singing “ Auld lang syne,” which brought the proceedings to a close. The visitors shortly afterwards mounted their special coach, and, with cheers for the officers and band, which were heartily responded to, they drove away, in the light of the silvery orb and a calm and beautiful night, home to Hokitika.