WELLINGTON NAVAL BRIGADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5610, 22 March 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON NAVAL BRIGADE.

A large meeting of the pioneer and seamen’s proposed Naval Brigades was held in the Central Hotel last night. It will be remembered that at the meeting of the seamen held last week for the purpose of forming a Naval Brigade, it was resolved that the pioneer company should. amalgamate with them. The meeting last night was called to have the question discussed. There was a very full meeting, and Mr. C. O’Neill was voted to the chair. He said that he took a very great interest in volunteer matters, having been connected with them in the old country. Mr. Leahy, one of the chief promoters of the pioneer company, said that be had received a letter from the Government stating that no steps had been taken to have the company gazetted until some understanding had been arrived at as to the two companies amalgamating. He (Mr. Leahy) said it now remained for them to say whether they would amalgamate with the seamen or not. He did not think the seamen had acted as they should in the matter. The pioneer company had advertised their meeting, stating their purpose, for a week. The seamen all this time took no steps to form their company until a week after. As matters at present stood he would, however, advise the pioneer company to amalgamate with the seamen. The Chairman observed that there appeared to be a difference of ’ opinion between the two companies. There was no doubt that the amalgamation would greatly strengthen them. He, however, thought it would be as well perhaps to have the matter ventilated. Mr. Farley, the secretary of the seamens’ company, stated that at their meeting there were a number of influential gentlemen' in attendance, many of whom were of opinion that a Naval Brigade could not be formed without some seamen amongst its numbers. It was their intention besides having a mere Naval Brigade to have also a Marine Fire Brigade in connection with it, and consequently the more numbers they had on the roll the better. He knew from experience that the gun drill was no child’s work. Mr. Tyson, one of the promoters of the seamen’s company, remarked that it was impossible to form a Naval Brigade without seamen. They required torpedo boats, which could only be worked by seamen. In each boat there would be sixteen hands, and ten of those would require to be seamen. Mr. Leahy thought it would be twelve months before they would get any boats. Some persons in the room thought they would get boats directly the company was formed. ;

Mr. Leahy thought if any member could not work one of the boats after six months’ practice he was not worth they name of member. Mr. Tyson was of opinion that the Government would supply boats a month after the brigade was gazetted. Dr. Kesteven moved,—That the pioneer company comply with the request from the seamen’s company, and amalgamate with them. - Mr. Davy seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A deputation was then formed to wait on the Government informing them of the result.