Volunteer News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 251, 15 December 1903, Page 2

Volunteer News.

The Taronaki Rifles pgraded in fair strength on Monday night, under Captain Weston. Staff Sergeaivt-JMiajor Sanderson gave a lecture on advanced, rear, and flank guards, and Coiour-Sergt. Armftage briefly described the care necessary in looking after the rifle. The Hides' training camp will commence on Jan. 21.

Quarterly examinations of noncommissioned officers ore to be held in future, in ■ December, March, June and September. The Wiflee' team which has been entered for the physical drill events at the military tournament to be held at l'etone on New Year's Day, is putting in some good work under (Sol.-Sergt. Aniri'Uige. A scheme is on foot for the opening 0/ thu orderly room in the drill hall on regular nights, mider the charge of non-coms. The should induce a commendablo spirit of camaraderie. The Government Armourer is to ▼isit the local centre on Jan 12, by which date rifles should be handed in for inspection. The programme of the Wellington Defence Kifle Clubs Association's New Veer meeting is to hand. There are nine matches,, the prize money amounting to £9O.

Col.-Sergt. Armitage, of the Kifles, was last night presented with a sil-ver-mounted cane from members af the physical drill class. In tile I>unedin Supreme Court in the matter of a bequest to the volunteers by Mr S. H. Andrews, a former resident of Dunedin, who lerft an estate of about £llBO, one half of which is to ■go to the volunteers in appreciation of kindness he had received from a large number of people lie had met here. At the time of thi' bequest there were only six companies, but since then a number of eonijuuvies have been formed, and the question is whether these new corps are entitled to share. The point was not decided, as more infoinration was* desirud. Sir Kdwaid Grey, Liberal M.P.. speaking at Leeds, atdmittod that Mr Balfour's (jjieeclv seemed to show that the country would shortly be on the right track in regard to army reform. Trying times might perhaps be in slore because Britain had fired away over two hundred millions 011 war.