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Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 445, 19 July 1879, Page 2

As will be seen by a communication from Mnnutahi, the volunteers of that district are in a very disorganised state. The reason of this seems to have been that the Captain exercised his right in choosing non-commissioned officers. If this is the only reason, then we ai’e of opinion that those who agitated for the resignation of the officers already appointed by the Captain, ought to be ashamed of themselves. What is more reasonable than a captain choosing those men whom he thinks will be most useful to him in securing the proper management of his corps ? Non-commissioned officers elected by any company might nob agree with the Captain, and it would perhaps be better that there were no corps at all than that the non-commissioned officers should be against their recognised heads. We think that Manutahi has displayed bad taste in this matter, for they have undoubtedly secured the right man tor their Captain, and having placed him in that position, it is strange they cannot trust him to appoint his non-commis-sioned officers. We would like to tender a word of advice to all volunteer corps in the County. Keep together, and do not allow petty grievances to damage a good cause. Arms have been served out to every settler who is inclined to take them, and although there might be no necessity to use them in open warfare, still it would do no harm to spend a few hours a week in becoming acquainted with their use. Countries who are blessed with peace have their volunteer forces, and surely in a district like Patea we should be in a state of preparation. Settlers should not depend too much upon Government, but should be ready and willing to act for themselves.