VOLUNTEER INSPECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1001, 23 February 1883, Page 2

VOLUNTEER INSPECTION.

The Government inspection parade of the Patea Rifles, being the first held under Major Stapp, the newly-appointed officer commanding the district, took place last evening at .the barracks. Unfortunately the night was a wet ahd : disagreeable one, and there could bo no march out. There were only three absentees, sickness being given as the reason in each case, and the muster included many who had only recently joined the corps, but acquitted themselves remarkably well under the circumstances. The muster roll showed one captain, one lieutenant, one cblor-scrgcant, four sergeants, four corporals, one bugler, and thirty-two, rank and file. The men fell in at the shed and were put thiough company drill, by Captain Taplin, and afterwards inspected by Major Stapp, who put them through a series of evolutions which were performed to his satisfaction. The Major complimented the men on their appearance, and expressed a belief (hat they'would give a good account of themselves at the Easter Encampment to bo held at Wanganui. Ho notified that Sergeant-Major Henry Would come next Tuesday night from Wanganui to drill them, and on the Monday, .Tuesday, and Wednesday preceding the encampment three inspection parades would be held, to which he was going to send his own drill instructor from New Plymouth. Sergeant Kearney was appointed acting drill instructor by Major Stapp. .