VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 208, 29 September 1903, Page 2

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Ti!i:oliio.;rp if tlio ]',il.morston No:ti! V.iinu'.'-.lira kie iluiiij:; the.r itfmos'; iO iio -way wilf. tl:n drinking (f ;nt.oxi tutitf a»i'.s;! the men. L'lto'y tho L''.l----m rsfon Gua.ds lipid r. social, at which t.o be:' or spi'i,'B wern used. Oiptiiu JtouiiK'-y, of fho Kill s, who wbh said that he was <-xceedifij<ly giad to see that no drink was being; liswd. The Rifles had lately held a -ccial without drinks, and it was a great success. He had also attended h Volunteer social in Foxton, at which co strong drink was used, and it w£3 also successful. During camp young Volunteers are often tempted to drink, ind in many ways disgraced the 0;r p i and themsnlves. So that these coffeesou'als bad a good tendency, and t.bat was to put a stop to ih) drinking imong the men, m«iy of whom :ro very yourg. The Houi.il wisp.oi.ou..ced ny all present—abjut fifiy-ninp, including several citizens -a. high success, and probably more caft'ee socials will be held dm ing the summer. The three Corps mentioned-Foxton R fl.->s, Pidmerston Rifles, and Guards—are showing a vary good example, and it is to be hoped will be followed by all other Rifls Corps throughout the colony..—Masterton Times.

The Taranaki Rifles held their ueu»l inspection parada last night, when there was an excellent mueter under Captain Weston and Lieuts. Okey and Lever, S<?rgt.-Major Sanderson was also present, and supervised the examination of two non-coms. Sergt. Armitage was appointed to Colour-S*rgt., and LicceSergt. Morgan to Sergt. His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Cock), Mr MacDial mid, and Mr T. S. Weston were elected life honorary members of the corps, and Mr John Skinner an honorary member. The Gjrrison Band also paraded for inspection under Bandmaster Gordon.

The Guards hold an inspection psraJe this evening, when a presentation will be made to Lieut. Holmes, who has severed b,is connection with the earps owing to his haying left the district. Very general regret will be felt at the resignation of his position of adjutant of the Taianaki Battalion by Oaptain Taunton. Captain Taunton has probably done niore than any other m»n to bring the Taranaki Voluntesrs to the high state of efficiency that exis's thror.gtiout tha Battalion, As Captain of the Guards before tho Bates lion was foimsd lis did excellent work and few Lew corps got into an efficient ■ta f e eo quickly as the Guards did, r.n efficiency thay hava still miintainod and which has c.used a desirable emulation amongst the corps forming tht> Battalion. Oaptain Taunton brought the same energy and militßry spirit to bis work as a battalion offloer, and it will be hard to fill the posHon he ha< so well filled. There is no doubt bu' that Oaptain Taunton's retirement will not only be a less to Taranaki, but to tb.9 whole volunteer service. We have always hoped to see Oaptain Taunton's high qualifications recognised in a more important position, and hope the Defence Department will not lose eight of him, Oaptain Taunton it to all intents and pm poses a aolditr, and has the spacial qualifications for a successful staff officer. It is understood that Oaptain W. i G. Malone, Oaptain of the Stratford Rifles, will temporarily act as Adjutant until a permanent appointment is made. Oaptain Malone is a capable and experienced effi er and will fill the position with credit.