VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 275, 23 November 1901, Page 2

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

| NOTES BY " ViJDETTE." Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, offirar commanding the district, is now visiting the various corps in tbe district, and will inspect the local volunteers and cadets on Monday. He is also, assisted by Lieut.-Oolonel Ellis and Oaptiin Okey, examining the officers of tho different companies. Colonel Newail, when inspecting the: Stratford Rifles, highly complimented the corps on its appearance and efficiency. It was stated in town on Thursday that the land on which the New Plymouth rifle range is situated had changed hands.

Sir Hector Mac Donald bas consented io become a life member of the Canterbury Highland Rifle?. There is some talk of a team of eight men from the Taranaki Rifles challenging the whole of the battalion to a match at an early date. If it comes of! the match will probably be fired at Stratford.

The local corps will commence volley-firing early in December. The triangular teams match between Rifles, Guards, and the New Plymouth Rifle Club takes place on Thursday next. The ranges will be 500,600, and 700 yards. The Rifle s' clock competition—soo and 600 yards - will take place at the same time. The following team will represent the Guards in the above match:—Captain Taunton, Sergeants Mills and Messenger, Corporals White and Mills, Privates Oliver, Short, A. Humphries, Bennett, Abbott, and Allsworth.

The ttifles team- has not yet been finally settled, but will probably comprise the following:—Captain Okey, Lieutenant Hookur, Colour-Sergeant Okoy, Sergeants Lever, Lister and Smith, Corporal Armitage, Bugler Hopkins, Privates Bacon and Rodgers. A somewhat unsettled feeling is prevalent among volunteers owing to the delay of the authorities in gazetting t*ie remaining battalion officers. There may be good reasons for the delay, but they do not readily present themsdvfs to the ordinary unofficial urind. Those rnwi who are entitled to long-servico me:lals and badges are also reing reduced to a condition of anxiety as to whothor these little things will come to hand. " Hope deferred inaketh the heart sick," and in this case, it may be observed, is scarcely conducive to promoting that lively interest in volunteer matters which is so desirable. lam inclined to agree with Mr Tanuer, the member for Avon, who, in the couise of some remarks roceutly on defence matters, opined that it might be a good thing if a new Guy Fawkes should arise and opecatenpon our appareutly slumbering Win- Office in the Empire City. That is perhaps rather drastic," but then it is generally confidered that grave ills require stern measures in dealing with thtm.