VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 105, 6 May 1902, Page 3

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

The Riflet paraded on Monday evening under Captain Weston and Lieutenaut Hooker, and were exercised in extended order. The men were afterwards measured for the new dress uniforms. Before the company was dismissed marksmen's badges were issued to those who had qualified during the past year. On Tours "lay, 22nd inst., the Rifhs propose to go through a coarse of practical field-firing, if possible. The Garrison Bind paraded for inspection on Monday evening, when there was a fair muster present. The Tarauaki Rugby Union was asked last week ky the volunteer authorities not to make any football fixtures for the 3rd of June, the date of the field day down tbe line. Tbe request was not acceded to. This will probably affect the attendance of some companies, whose members are largely composed of footballers, and shows an unfriendly spirit on the part of the Union, which is quite unexpected. The football fixtures seem to be made a pure matter of financial gain, while the volunteers are aiming at the attainment of efficiency which would fit them for the defence of the eolony in case of need. They have asked the Union for consideration on one day, and it is denied. That is placing the general welfare of the people in a position sub. servient to the enjoyment (and, incidentally, the gain) of a portion of the community. It is to be hoped the authorities may be able to induce the Rugby Union to modify its views, otherwise tbe utility of the volunteers' work on the 3rd prox. will be considerably impaired.