WELLINGTON HIGHLAND RIFLES ENROLLED 1900.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 21, 24 November 1900, Page 9

WELLINGTON HIGHLAND RIFLES ENROLLED 1900.

A FULLY equipped Volunteei Coips, composed of men of Scottish descent, has now been added to the Defence Forces of the colony, and will be known as " H Company, Wellington Rifle Battalion." Stouthearted representatives of " The Bonny Hills of Scotland," where national sentiment still clings to the " Tartan and Bonnet," " The Claymore and Skien Dhu," and where yearly may be seen " The Gathering of the Clans." Scotland's sons still venerate the name of Sir William Wallace, Robert Bruce, Bonny Prince Charlie, and many others whose memories have been immortalized by Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott; and the land where the sound of the Bagpipes is music to the eai , as it floats o'er the loch and glen among heathei and blue bell, to-day, as in the days of " Rob Roy MacGregor, O." The Caledonian and Gaelic Societies of New Zealand have done much in the way of fostering a national spirit, but the appearance in our midst of a company of " Kilted Jocks," marching to the strains of a pipe band, will do still moie ; it will remind our citizens ot " the gallant Gordons," Cameronians, Seaforths, and many other Scottish Regiments of the Biitish Army, whose deeds are enrolled on the scroll of fame, and whose membeis have taught us how to live and die for Queen and Country. The Wellington Highland Rifles ha\e — in accordance with Government regulations — already procured and paid foi out of their own pockets a khaki uniform, and they now appeal to the general public to help them in financing a Full-dress Highland Uniform, such as that worn by the Seaforth Highlanders. This can be done by direct donations, or by becoming honoraiy members, who shall severally pay a donation of £3 3s, or an aunual subscription of £1 Is. The members of the company are paying a sum of £2 2s per man on deposit, and will become responsible for the total cost. They piopose to give the order when £150 is in hand, and pay £300 on deliveiy, the balance to be paid at the rate of £100 a year out of capitation. Circulars and subscription lists are now in the hands of members, to whom subscriptions may be paid, and for which a public acknowledgment will be made, oi to the Tieasurer — CAPT. C. D. MACKINTOSH, No. 22, Kent-terrace, Wellington.