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Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume V, Issue 220, 2 May 1885, Page 2

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In view of the f.iet, thai the Fii 01 Police, rjnve vol instructions from top head of the Department to p-rp.-ire lists ot partes ]i;»J>U- to ssrvts as Militia-men, m the ,li:T«!istrivts under their charge, and, as there anpnars to S»e ;t strong probability. {.int. ill:? i:i..WuUfils wno ciia nee .to (•(*:!! within tho of Class No. 1. are \>ry Jikely to have, before any oftim,», to undergo the organisatien and training winch has been provided for them ;we m- IV o the following items, which may be of soma interest now that the crisis by the uii etthal state ot political relations between some of the greater powers, is cuating such a tension of amdetv and alarm throughout the wholi of the Australasian colonies. Those liable to Pf-rv* are composed of all the men inhabitants between the ages of 17 and 55 I <Jr ' °f course ther« are numerous exceptions ; for instance all Judges, Magistrates, Wardens, and Court officials ; Members of Parliament; Ministers of r-digiun ; Professors of any College ; Teachers, when so actually engaged; doctors registered, and in practice ; officers of Gaols, Asylums and hospitals ; Postmasters and carriers; the Customs revenue department; all mariners, so en grimed ; all enrolled Volunteers ; all lunatics, deaf or dumb, blind or crippled. No person who may have at any time retired from Her Majesty's military or naval service, shall be required to serve in the Militia, in lower rank, than that which he held at time of quitting it. The N.X. Militia is divided into three classes ; Ist Class—men between 17 and 30 years of age. 2nd Class—men between 30 and 40 years of age. 3rd Class—men between 40 and 55 years of age. The Governor may call out the Militia or any part thereof, for training, by a proclomat on giving 14 days notice of times and places of first muster. The same shall be Gazetted and advertised locally. A\ hen only a portion of the Militia are lequired ioi actual service, the Volunteers are first called for; if these are not sufficient, the first class is then gone into, and the second, and third in like order, it necessary. Neglect of compliance with the Act is punishable by fines and penalties. The Defence office has just issued a notice requesting that those desirous oi holding appointments in the Militia, shall forward their names, stating qualifications, to the Officer commanding the district. Taken altogether, the tiling has an aspect about it which looks as if something serious and real, might come of it; but should such a stand, as that indicated by all the present warlike preparations, in the matter of defence, b# found necessary to put this little Colony on such a footing as would make things troublesome for an invader : there is not the least doubt, but that all eligible, will rally to the call, and that their loyalty, and their regard for the interests of the Empire, and the peace of its eolonies, will manifest such a spirit as time and have been unable to efface, whenever "its safety has been threatened.