J BATTERY N.Z.V. ARTILLERY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 115, 25 April 1884, Page 2

J BATTERY N.Z.V. ARTILLERY.

The usual monthly inspection parade took place last night, before Captain Porter. There were about thirty-two present, including the band. The two lieutenants were absent without giving any cause, and were fined £1 each. A fter the corps had been put through various movements such as marching, skirmishing, bayonet exercise &e., the prizes competed for on Easter Monday were presented by His Worship the Mayor to the successful competitors, whose names have already been published. In presenting Gunner Hansen with his prizes, which were not a few, his Worship warmly congratulated him on his being such a good marksman. He had for some considerable time watched his (Hansen’s) shooting, and consideied him their champion shot, as he always proved so steady. He was exceedingly sorry that the opportunity of sending him to represent them at the Association’s meeting in Auckland, held a short time ago, had been lost. He thought they should have sent him to represent the corps, and he felt sure, that he (Hansen), would have gained it honors. He trusted that he would be able to make up for lost time at the next meeting of the Association. Captain Winter now addressed the company, and in doing so returned thanks to the ladies who had so handsomely subscribed to the prizes, and also to the general public who had also been most liberal in giving prizes. The prizes were not so very valuable, but they reflected the same honor upon the winners, and he hoped they would be proud of them. He was sorry that Gunner Hansen had not been sent to represent them, at the last Association meeting at Auckland, but he hoped next time that the opportunity would not be 1c I. He now called for three cheers for the ladies, and also for the public who had aided them so much. These were lastly given and the corps dismissed. The question whether it could still be maintained or have to be disbanded was then discussed. There were many civilians in the building at this time, and, we might say a press gang of the members of the Battery seized them (the civilians) and by coaxing and threats they were induced to join as members. There were about eight recruits enrolled, and this brought the figures up to about three or four above the minimum, which was all that was required. Capt. Winter mentioned this fact and put the question to all present whether the corps was to be maintained or disbanded. The cry was unanimous that it should be maintained. That having been decided, Capt. Winter stated that the Annual ball would take place shortly. It could not take place on the 21th, as that day fell on a Saturday, but they could hold it the following Wednesday or Thursday. He said the Champion belt presented by Mr. A. McDonald would be again competed for on the 21th May. The next business was the election of a Finance Committee for the ensuing year. Seven names were put down, and were balloted for, as only five out of the seven was the number required. The result of the ballot was the election of Messrs. Creswell, Pavitt, Featon, Allom and Whitby for the ensuing twelve months. This being all the business the meeting broke up. We hope to see more recruits coming forward shortly and thus increase the numbers considerably over the minimum strength required.