A DRILL SHED.

Southland Times, Issue 973, 22 June 1868, Page 2

A DRILL SHED.

(TO THB BDITOB OP THH SOUTEIiAm> T0C89.) Sir, — That there is a necessity for a Public Hall all who take any interest in pnblic movements will acknowledge. I will not speak of the requirements of the Penny Beading Society, but confine myself to my own want. lam a member of the Invercargill Rifle Volunteers, and I think I may say an energetic one, I desire to see the company large and effective, but it will never be so until it is more fully ' recognised as an institution of value by both the Government and the public. ! "When the corpß was first formed great interest was shown by the young men in its success, but now but little is displayed. i Why is this ? We have no Drill Shed. During the short time Henderson and Bonar's store was use€ for* drill the company mustered from seventy to a hundred, but now that winter is set in, and no place of meeting provided, an indifference has arisen, and fcheinterestin the movement haa greatly diminished among the members themselves and the public generally.- I have, under difficulties, I always endeavoured to be at my post, but during the winter I feel it impossible to do so. It is folly to think that out of door practice can be carried on, in the mornings during the next few months. The larger portion of the effective members of the Company are, like myself, mechanics or shopmen, who are required to be at j their work at eight o'clock in the morn- } ing, and it is impossible for us on these dark mornings to attend early drill. I think it is the duty of the Provincial Q-ovemment to provide the accommodation required, and I believe that it could not be done in a better way than the giving a sum of money and a site of land for a Public Hall, for the use of the Volunteers and other public bodies. I am not writing this as an indvidual altogether. I have the sanction of other members of the Company, to state that' -several are willing to subscribe £1 Is each, whenever required, if the Government will do its part. I enclose my name. — > Yours Ac. ' Citizen. Spey-street, June 17th 1868.