KEEN VOLUNTEERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 721, 22 July 1929, Page 8

KEEN VOLUNTEERS

OLD-TIME READINESS FOR WAR HISTORY IN PONSONBY How a naval unit was formed at Fonsonby in ISS6, during the 'Rusßian scare.” was told to members at the Ponsonby Garrison Artillery old Boys’ Association at the annual reunion on Saturday evening. The volunteers used to meet at Three Lamps and practise the step. Mr- M. Lenihan, the oldest member at the reunion, was the speaker. h« recalled interesting points concerning the old volunteer days. Praise of the work among the volunteers of Sir George Richardson who, with Lieutenant R. S. Judscn V.C., attended the reunion, was made by the president, Mr. C. W. Coles Sir George came to New Zealand a? a master gunner. In his speech Sir George remarked on the efficiency of the volunteers who devoted their time and spared no expense in training. As instructor and director of artillery in New Zealand, he had seen gunnery pass through various stages. After coming to New Zealand over 30 years ago he visited Auckland, and he found that the "Ponsonby Navals” were regarded as being among the best two or three companies in the Dominion The Russian scare had impressed on the people the need for adequate defence. In those days the first artillery corps dressed in naval uniforms and engaged in coastal work.

Long distances were walked by the volunteers to reach drill. They attended a camp for 16 days and engaged in four weeks’ training, without pay, each year. Difficulties were met in securing money from the Government for training. Ammunition was obtained eventually, and systems of night firing and moving targets, leading to modern artillery work, were studied. Up to the Boer War in 1899 there was the impression that New Zealand had merely to defend itself. Since then the Empire, outlook had come about. Continuing, Sir George said he was told in 1911 by the late Earl Roberts of the possibility of war. Earl Roberts told of his difficulties in raising armies. After the visit of Earl Kitchener. New Zealand adopted universal service which led to the present territorial training. Sir George also described the work of the League of Nations. That the old volunteer training was the backbone of the territorial system was the view of Lieutenant Judson. Events were recalled by a former instructor of the Garrison Artillery. Mr. F. Thompson, and it was stated that 11 of the 80 members of the association who served in the Great War had been killed.