VOLUNTEER REPORT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 205, 29 August 1881, Page 4

VOLUNTEER REPORT.

(From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, Thursday night. The annual Volunteer Report was presented this evening. Colonel Reader- say s:-r- --" Returns show- a decrease of 17 adult and 9 Cadet corps, and a total decrease in numbers of 1525 adults and 966 Cadets. Of the 17 adult corps disbanded, 12 were in the Taranaki and Patea district, and formed part of those which had only been embodied in 1879 for the protection of the district at a time when serious disturbances with the Natives seemed imminent. A3 soon as the need for the continuance of their services no longer existed the men asked to be disembodied, so that they might be relieved from training and enabled to resume their ordinary avocations which had been seriously interrupted by the threatened disturbances. There having j; B£en no official inspection of the force during the past year,l called upon the cffi eers commanding districts to report upon the state of the corps under their command and their reports have bten generally satisfactory. The attendance at drill has been good, and the interest in the Volunteer movement I not diminished In consequence of the reduced rate of capitation allowed for the past year. Facilities bave been, given for importing regulation uniforms from England through the Government on moderate and favorable terms, of which several corps have already availed themselves and more are anxious to do so. C&mps weire held at Easter in the Waikato, at Nelson, and at Osmaru, with considerable success. The meeting in tbe Waikato was attended by a total strength of 1017 furnished from all parts of the Auckland district; at Nelsbn tbe muster was J696, of. which upwards of 300 went over from Wellington; at Oamaru the to al number assembled wa9 1168, representing corps from Christchurch, Dam din, Invercaigill, and the Lake districts. The force is now well supplied with sma Harms, but the want of sufficient light ordnance for the Artillery and Naval Brigades is much felt. I strongly recommend a revision of the Volunteer regulations and that the work be entrusted to a Board of Volunteer officers of experience ia the force who would be best able to suggest what alterations are required to promote the interest and wellbeing of tbe movement." The tolal number of Volunteers in the colony is 7153, exclusive of 1845 Cadetp.