VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 153, 24 July 1901, Page 2

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

The new Lee-Me;ford rifles which are being issued to the New Zealand volunteers have come te hand, and the local companies have been armed with them. The Taranaki Rifles were served with the rifluscn Monday night, and last night the Taranaki Guards were similarly treated. After the Guards had cleaned up the rifles, a parada was helJ, when Captain Taunton put the men through tbe new drill, which bas bsen rendnred necessary by the adoption of the Lse-Met-ford arm.

Captain Taunton announced that a battalion parade would be held on Monday [evening next, when the Rifle?, Guards, and Garrison Bind will be roquired to attead.

A NEW ORDER. It is stated that the King bas decided to establish a new order of distinction, of which there can only be four members. It is to be called the " Order of the Queen's Scarf," o"Q. 5.," and the members of it are to be four troopers (including Corporal Coutts, of Ttranaki, since promoted to a captaincy) who were awaHed the Q'jeon's Sj»rf by vote of their c m-rade-i foe distinguished services in South Africa. Each member is also to receive a geld star and clasp, whioh will rank equal wfth the Victoria Cross, a' d carry with it the samo dis'inction. Al tn-opt will bereqiii>edtt "p e*ent arms" and silute the " Queen'* Scirf or equ v>lent," and star. Fur-her, each of tho four holders will rt ceive from the King an autographed record to be handed down with the scarf. Tb-' star and attes'ing document will probably be conferred personally by his Mr.j sty on the occasion of bis coronation in May nex\ By order of the K ng, the holders c>f tbe four scarves are to te distinguished by the affix " Q S."