VOLUNTEER MEETING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1245, 12 January 1883, Page 2

VOLUNTEER MEETING.

A meeting of the J Battery, convened for the purpose of considering the organisation of a fresh corps under the new rule and regulations, was held last night at the Company’s Drill Shed. About thirty members of the corps and Band were present. Captain Winter opened the meeting by saying he would first read a portion of the new rules, viz., those which had been carefully gone over and considered by himself and Captain Porter, the commanding officer, and which he thought were the principal that needed their present attention, the others not being of so importantanature. Having read these Capt. Winter further addressed the meeting, giving it as his opinion that the corps could not be reorganised under the new rules and regulations just read ; in the first plac'e as they seemed too stringent and bidding, for the members could not resign until after the expiration of a rear’s service, unless leaving the Colo ny, or in case of sickness ; in the second, that the minimum strength was too large a number, viz., 43 ; in the third, that it would be of no use unless they were properly provided with an Instructor, drill shed, &c., by the Government; for they were expected to become efficient, but as to this there was no mention made in the present regulations. This was all he had to say on the matter andhe would ask Mr Featon the Sergeant-Major, who took an interest in these matters, and was much better acquainted with them than he himself was, to address the meeting. Mr Featon, in re’jly, said he did net think with the rest, that the rules were too forcible, for if the thing was to be done at all, it was just as good to do it well; but he thought that the Government might have given them some information as to the instructor, rifle range, &c. Under the new rules just drafted they were expected to become efficient in drill, firing, and every thing else. If the Government would not find the range, instructor, drillshed, and other necessaries, and that appeared very likely, they could not do it themselves, with only the shilling a month subscription, which would make about £24 per annum ; and to have the requirements to become efficient members, it would cost something verging on £lOO per annum ; therfore it would be rather too much for the corps to find these things. If the Government want a corps here they must let it have the necessary provisions. He had given gratuitously all bis instruction in the past, and would continue to do so if necessary, but that was not sufficient. He made other remarks the gist of which was that he thought the thing could be carried out, if the Government provided them with what was required. Mr J. Nash here proposed “ That if a new corps be formed that all the young and short ’uns should be kicked out.”

This big proposition received no seconder, and very rightly too ; for anyone with a particle of sense ought to know that the young and short ’uns require to be well drilled, even more so than the long and old ’uns. Captain Winter then read a letter which had been forwarded some time back fromjthe committee formed by the corps to Government, asking many questions; but to which they had never given a reply. Captain Porter briefly addressed the meeting, after which Captain Winter said he would now put it to the meeting, those in favor of re organising another corps under the new rules and regulations would signify the same by holding up their hands. At this 3 hands went up. He would ask those against forming another corps to vote in a similar manner. All hands went up. The meeting then broke up.