VOLUNTEERING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 422, 11 August 1908, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING.

A well attended and enthusiastic meeting in connection with the local volunteer movement was held in the Public Hall last night, when Captain McDonald, D.A.A.Gr., was present. The Borough Band played a number of selections before the meeting commenced, and their assistance was much appreciated by the promoters of the corps. Mr A. D. Clemett was voted to the chair, and explained briefly the nature of the meeting, and introduced Captain McDonald to the audience. Mr Page then addressed the gathering, and expressed his satisfaction at seeing so many present, and at the enthusiasm which was now being shown. The last meeting had been a failure, but he felt, with the number before him, that there was every prospect that the proposed company would prove to be a thorough success.

Mr Barnard and Dr. Adams confirmed Mr Page’s remarks. Captain McDonald, who was cordially received, then addressed the meeting at some length, explaining the most important of the regulations affecting a corps, and the many advantages that followed from becoming a volunteer. But the decision, he said, did not rest with him—it rested with those before him—whether there should be a corps in Foxton or not. He would like an expression of opinion before he went any further. Those willing to join were requested to form a line in the centre of the Hall, and a count was takcq, resulting in 42 men being found ready to wear the King’s uniform.

After some advice and caution from the captain, a number of questions were asked, and answered, and the meeting then adjourned, it being clear that the captain was favourably impressed with what he saw and heard, though, of course he did not commit himself one way or another. The final reply will now be awaited with expectancy, and there seems to be every reason to anticipate that the- answer to Foxton’s application will be in the affirmative.