J BATTERY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 55, 1 February 1884, Page 2

J BATTERY.

The ordinary monthly general parade of th® above corps todk place in the anil-shed last night, There were twenty-wven momberM present. After being put through a portion of the manual exercise, the numbers were reported to the commanding officer, Captaifl Porter, who, after minutely inspecting each member and arms, addressed the meh; stating that their position at the present moment was most unsatisfactory. Owing to the resignations which had taken place, the numerical strength of the corps stood at thirty-seven. The minimum strength allowed by the Government was forty-two; hence they were liable at any moment to be disbanded. Whan the large number of resignations were sent in, he had hoped that indßt of the members would have been led to reconsider the matter, but he had been disap, pointed. The drills and regulations had been very severe for the past year, which had been occasioned in some measure by their late formation, that necessitated constant application, in order to bring the corps to a state of efficiency, so as to be entitled to the grant. But now that the corps had attained such a high state of efficiency the necessity for so much drill had passed away, and it was the intention to have an interval of rest. It was a matter for extreme regret that, just as the Battery had got all they tth quired and a fitting piece to drill in, so many members should leave the corps. After so much hard work had been none and a state of efficiency attained which was a credit to the men ana the place, he trusted yet to see some of the resigning members still induced to return. Recruits could not be taken until July. He would also ask for the returns, as they had not been sent. After the men had been put through company drill by Captain Winter they were dismissed, and attended at the orderly-room for the purpose of being present at the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. Captain Winter took the chair, and called on the Secretary (Mr. Warren) to read the following balance-sheet• STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS Jfoß THSi QUARTER ENDING 81st DEC., 1884; Rkcsxpts;

E. H. PavxtT) i Auditor. The Chairman said the battery could o<Nk gratulate themselves with the highly satisfaoi tory state in which the accounts stood. He noticed that though the drill-shed had been put down as an asset it was not really so. It would always be the property of the corps so long as it was in existence, but if the corps was disbanded it would revert to Government. 1 He would like to hear any one if they wished 1 to speak as to the balance-sheet. 1 Bombadier Ward proposed and Gunner 1 Steele seconded the adoption of the report And balance-sheet, which was carried unani--1 mously., The Chairman said the next matter which claimed their attention was the present position of the corps. They had heard Captain Porter’s remarks as to the precarious position which they at present occupied, It rested entirely with the members as to whether they were to be disbanded or not. He had MBktd the members who had given in their resignations to reconsider the matter, but they had not thought fit to do so. The corps had been very hard worked and had attained such a high state of efficiency as to be second to none in the Colony, and it was a matter for regret that they should now resign. Some of the resigning members had very good reasons for leaving, but others had left because they were dissatisfied with the large amount of drill and discipline. But he had deoeWbd no one, inasmuch as he had informed Ml joining members that it tvotild be requisite to work hard to attain the necessary degree of efficiency in time. If the present state of affairs as regarded members was to continue, it would be best to disband at once. But, at the same time, he wished to say that he had decided, in the event of going on, to relax the number of drills, ana only to hold the monthly parades during February, Mafch; and April. Then, during the months of May, June, and July, to again go on with the ordinary weekly drillsj to be again succeeded by the three months’ relaxation. He hoped that this would meet the wishes of the members generally. At the same time he would say that, during the drill months, he should be very strict, and exact a punctual attdna* ance at drill. He had heard some complaints as to his being too strict on parade, but he only tried to be soldierly, and he did not wish it to be saidLthat their oaptain was an old woman. He had also been accused of losing his temper on parade, and may have done eo on occasions of seeing things wrong. He could not help that, as, after being a Volunteer for upwards of twenty years, it was most annoying to see unsoldierly conduct; but at the same time he had never behaved in an ungentlemanly manner to anyone (hear, hear). He was certainly strict on parade, but, when out of uniform, he had always been like one of themselves (hear, hear), and never attempted to put any side on. He would be most sorry to hurt any member’s feelings, and was only prompted by a strong desire to make them what they now were, a credit to themselves and the place. He would be very sorry to see the corps disband, but he could not come there and attempt to drill such a handful of men as those present that nigh l 9 and, if mem| bers did not roll up, he should certainly tender his resignation. He would ask the members present to endeavor to prevail upon the members who had sent in their resignations, now that the drills were relaxed, to reconsider their decision. As he did not intend to go on in the present state, he would like to know at once what was to be the result.

Sergeant-Major Featon said the corps was not an exception, as there were many others in exactly the same position, owing to the number of harrassing drills which had been imposed. If some inducement was not held out members would not join. A number of members had been waiting for months for uniforms and had not got any. At Napier they had got new brilliant scarlet uniforms. There must be some inducement held out for joining. No doubt, if Captain Porter’s attention were called to the fact, on application to Government he might be empowered to extend the time for recruiting, and so get new members.

Gunner Warren said all the members present meant to keep the Battery going. He was afraid that if the suggestion of Captain Winter was carried out they would experience a relapse. The present was only b crisis like that experienced from time to time in

other corp". The difficulty could be got over U each member would set another friend to join. . Surely, they could keep the corps uolnc now they had act all they wanted. lie would propose the following resolution, ’• That we cor.tinuato carry on the Battery on the basis suggested by. Captain Winter, viz., that Weekly drills be suspended during the next three months, and that, at the April muster, a general meeting be called to decide whether the corps shall be continued.’* Corporal Pavitt having seconded the motion, It was put and carried. thinner Willoughby moved, as an amendment, ’• That we ask the Government to disband, us.’’ (Hoo hoo 1 chuck him outl. What Wait the good of coming there when there was ho officers to drill them. He had come several times lately, and after cooling his heels had to go away without any drill. Lfatenant Bovlan said there was much truth in Willoughby’s remarks, as there was at present no sergeants in the corps who eould drill the men. (A Voice—Let them learn their drill before they get their stripes.) But, for the future, every effort should be made to arrange matter* better. There were plenty of good men in the corps fit for sergeants. He was in favor of them passing an examination before being promoted. (Hear, MM Captain Winter was willing to allow the members to appoint their own sergeant; but if they appointed an inefficient one he would reserve the power of rejecting him. The following members were then nomin. ated for thertnk of sergeantPison, proposed by Whitby, and seconded by Cumming ; Pavitt, proposed by Steele, seconded by O’Meara; Ledger, proposed by Stark, seconded by Morrison ; Ward, proposed by Boylan, seconded by Steele; Turton, proposed by Warren, seconded by Stark; Warren, proposed by Willoughby, seconded by Whitty; Hanson, proposed by Morrison, seconded by Nash. Captain Winter said these members would pass a drill-examination, and, according to Qieir efficiency, be allotted marks, and then ballotted for, the one who had most marks to ba sdnier sergeant. titer Sortie further discussion, the meeting adjourned.

1888—Oct. 1. To Balance in hand ., . £84 1 6 Dec. 1, To Subscriptions and fines 1* 9 9 „ Government grant for shed ,, Rent old shed 75 0 0 ; 10 0 Ammunition sales .. ; 2 0 0 ,, Sale orderly-room .. . 10 0 0 „ Entries Einn medal . 1 15 0 £188 6 11 Exi’BNDITVM. 1883—Dec. 31. By Drill-shed . • .« . £116 1 6 „ Rent old shed 18 0 0 „ Bent ot range .; 3 0 0 „ Marking .. .. 6 4 6 „ Law costs, Parnell case 10 17 0 ,, Cheque-book . 16 8 „ Deposit returned . 5 0 0 „ Balance in hand . . . 88 7 8 £188 6 11 BALANCE-SHEET, 1888; Liab rimes. 1883—Dec. 81. Graham’s drill-shed £40 13 4 Hurrey, drill-shed 3 10 0 Parnell, sundries 5 5 4 Printing accounts 6 4 0 Brooks, cartage 1 16 6 Bandmaster 8 10 0 Ferry 8 15 0 Common and Co. 2 6 0 Small accounts . * . 2 6 6 £74 7 B Assets. 1883—Deo. 81. Cash in hand 83 7 8 Capitation . 117 0 0 Value of shed—cost i. Refund law costs . * ; 187 6 7 . 10 17 0 £848 10 10 Examined and found correct.