ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WELLINGTON ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5410, 30 July 1878, Page 3

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WELLINGTON ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Artillery "Volunteers was held in the Central Fire Brigade station last night. Captain Moorlionse occupied the chair, and there were about 40 members present. The balance-sheet as read showed that the company had a balance in the Union Bank of £199 15s. 10d., and that after paying all expenses they would still have a clear credit of £ls ss. 6d.

The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : —-W. J. Scott was elected treasurer, secretary, and quartermaster. The following were elected the committee ; Gunner Grimston, SergeantMajor Bock, Sergeant Bussell, Corporal Diamond, Sergeant Sheppard, Sergeant Mason, and Sergeant Gray. Gunner J. Eobinson was elected corporal. Major Pearce was unanimously elected honorary colonel to the company. - the dinner. The annual dinner of the company was held at the Metropolitan Hotel at 8 o’clock. The chair was occupied by Captain Moorhouse, and amongst the visitors were his Worship the Mayor, Major Stack, E. Pearce (honorary colonel), G. B. Barton, M.H.E. ; A. de B. Brandon, junior. Esq.; and ex-Drill Instructors Corliss and Mowatt. . After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts hail been proposed and responded to. The Chairman proposed the “Army and Navy," coupled with the name of Colonel Header. _ Colonel Header, Under Secretary of Defence, in responding said that he had belonged to the army for seventeen years. He, however, did not know much about the navy. He felt great pleasure in meeting the present company again at their annual dinner. He considered this the best volunteer corps he had ever seen. They had attended to their work, and had always kept up a creditable spirit. They had had first-rate officers, and he was glad to notice that the company had gone on improving. Lieutenant Pox, in proposing the “ Parlia,ment of New Zealand,” said that it stood preeminent, and that he-believed the whole desire of the members of both Houses was to benefit the people of the colony. Mr. Barton, M.H.R.', responded in a humorous speech, and expressed regret that Mr. G. Hunter, M.H.R., the senior member for the city, was not present. Lieutenant McCredie, one of the vicechairmen, proposed “ The Health of the Mayor and Councillors,” saying he believed those gentlemen were deservedly well thought of by the inhabitants for the services they had rendered to the city. His Worship the Mayor, in responding, said it was pleasing to find that the Corporation was well thought of by the public. He considered the present Councillors wero the best the. city ever had. They were always willing to do what they considered best to the advantage of the ■ citizens. In referring to the Thorndon reclamation, his Worship said it was in contemplation to devote a large portion of it to public purposes. IE the Councillors wero not doing their duty it was /ery easy to toll, them so. He thought it was far better that the reclaimed land should he in the bands of a local body like the Corporation than in any other. - The Chairman next proposed "The Officer in Command of the District.” Major Stack, .in responding, said that while ho occupied the post of commander in charge of the district he would at all times do everything in his power to facilitate volunteering matters. , . Sergeant-Major Bock proposed “ Our Captain and Officers,” and spoke in very high terms of those gentlemen, - ' The toast was responded to in suitable terms by Captain Moorhouse. Sergeant Lyon proposed “ Our late Commander, Major Pearce," and stated that no volunteer corps in the colony had.ever had a more efficient officer.

Major Pearce, in returning thanks, assured the corps that it was with no small gratification that he received their invitation to bo present that night. ,He thought that they had done Well in electing Captain Moorhouse at the bead of their company. In roferring to his election as honorary colonel, he said if he was allowed to hold it ho would willingly do so. Ho promised to do all ho could for tho welfare of the company. The following toasts wero also proposed and duly responded to ;—“ Our Guests,” " Our Brother. Volunteers,” “Non - commissioned Officers,” “Drill Instructors,” “The Gunners,” “Band,” “The Ladies,” “Tho Press,” “The Host,” &c.