WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 434, 11 June 1879, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

(From our own Correspondent.) A public meeting was held last night, to enroll members for the Waverley Rifle Volunteers, and other business. There was a large attendance. Mr Fookcs in the chair. Considerable time was taken up by two or three gentlemen who were particularly anxious about the distance we should have to go in case of an outbreak. Mr Fookcs read a telegram from Major Noake, stating that Government had no intention to move Volunteers from their immediate districts. This, however, was not considered sufficient, and a resolution was pnt through on the motion of Mr Bridge, to the effect, That the boundaries of the district he the 'Waitotara River, the confiscated boundary, and the Whenuakura River,

The speakers seemed utterly to ignore the fact that Volunteer regulations are extant, which have been law for some years, and to think that we have a perfect right to dictate our own terms to the Government, forgetting also that wo, not the Government, are the suppliants for the Volunteers to be organised. I think that the Government having granted our “humble petition,” we can scarcely expect that they will alter the laws of the country to suit us, we have their word through Major Noake, and that should he sufficient. The real business of the evening was the swearing in, and the election of officers. Mr Kenah, J.V., being present, kindly offered to administer the'oath to anyone desirous of “ seeking ” the bubble reputation even ‘•‘to the (Vhennakura or Waitotara Rivers, and forty-seven responded to the call and swore (horribly.) However the corps is now really a fact, and I have no doubt that if the time should come when they may be required, they will not be in the rear. We talk a great deal here, but when it comes to the point I hope we shall not be proved wanting. The election of officers was most satisfactory to everyone. I am certain that no better selection could have been made. Captain 0. Hawos, Lieutenant F. Fookes, Sub-Lientenant Kenah. A. resolution was also passed, with a view to point out to Government the desirability of serving out Sneider Rifles so soon as they can be procured. The meeting then adjourned, and the healths of the Captain, Lieutenants, the Corps, the Wairoa Light Horse, and the world generally were drank with three times three.