J BATTERY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 7, 10 November 1883, Page 2

J BATTERY.

A daylight parade of the above Battery took place yesterday morning at 7 a.m., in the new drill shed at the rear of the Government Buildings. On falling in and numbering off, Sergeant Piesse reported 17 files. Captain Winter then gave the order, “Company in line, fours right, left wheel,” and inarched the corps out into the paddock wheie they were halted and the order given to “fix swords, shoulder arms, open order, order arms and Captain Winter passed down the ranks carefully inspecting each man. Ho then gave the order, “ Shoulder arms, for inspection, port arms," and minutely inspected every carbine, inflicting several fines, Captain Porter now came on the ground and proceeded with the inspection, on the completion of which Captain Winter, addressing the corps, stated that he was far from satisfied with the state of the arms. The condition of some of the carbines was

simply disgraceful, and he felt compelled to say that some members had no right to bo allowed possession of them. After firing, the pieces were easily cleaned if attended to at once. It was down i right neglect to let them get into such a bad I state. A few evolutions were then gone through, when the men were again formed up and Captain Porter carefully examined each carbine in detail, and reprimanded several members for uncleanliness. The muster roll wa« then called, and Captain Porter informed I the corps that at the next parade he should require to see every Government article in possession of the members, all of which musl tally with the entries in the arms took otherwise the holders would be fined. Some of the arms were in a very dirty state. He also noticed that some of the waist belts wer« loose, which gave the wearers a slovenly look which was anything but soldierly. Members should endeavor to look as smart as possible. Captain Winter then proceeded to put the men through various evolutions in field drill, deploying in skirmishing order, forming square to receive cavalry, judging distance, &c. The men were then marched back to the shed, where Captain Winter congratulated the corps upon the completion of the new spacious shed, which he hoped, would have the effect of increasing their numbers. No doubt the new regulations were very hard, but they were necessary for the making of efficient members He hid been compelled to have recourse to squad drill in order to try them to an efficient state. A number had sent in their resipnations, but he hoped they would reconsider their decision. If country members were away and could not attend they were better without them. He knew that the drill came very hard, but when they became thoroughly efficient no doubt the drill would be relaxed. He was highly pleased at the amonnt of efficiency they had displayed that morning, and he had also much pleasure in stating that Major Sheppherd had also expressed himself as highly gratified at the efficient state of the corps.