TARANAKI GUARDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 87, 1 April 1908, Page 2

TARANAKI GUARDS.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Guards w.'.s held in the orderly room at the Drill Hall last night. Capt. Mills presided, and Lieuts. Doon and Beadle, and about thirty members were present. In presenting the annual report, Capl. Mills complimented the company on its sound position. The shooting was capable of considerable improvement, only about thirty members having given this department the required attention. The attendance at drill was not satisfactory, although the daylight parades had been well attended. The recruits required more attention, and he 'hoped that they would receive more during the coming year. The company had by the deal/i

of Private Boc'li lost one of its most promising members. The management was the same now as it Jiad been at the last annual meeting, with the exception of Sergt. Grilliths, business having taken him Out of town so -often that he had had to resign. He would like to see other members enter into their work with the same spirit that Sergt. Grilliths 'had. For the coining year he would

like to ace the members attend parades in greater numbers. The company had its full strength, and it was ridiculous to have the officers attending with only a few men. They should start this year ■with good attenders. Two parades had now been called prior to t'lic Easter encampment, at which lie wanted to see all members present. • Steps must be taken to hold instructional classes which were beneficial to all, ns when the theory had been learned it could be put in practice in the field- His term of office"'would expire in May next. He had taken it upon himself to mention this, as it was his opinion that the office of commander should only be held for a certain term, however capable a man might be. He had made up his mind when he had entered the office that three years were quite enough, and that another should be allowed to take his place. He had been offered a position in the battalion stall', but preferred experience in the company. The following promotions were re:id:—■ Corp. Lewis to sergeant; Privates Corporal Green to sergeant; Privates Berndtsen and Green to corporals; Sergeant Evans to Company Quartermaster.

Sergt. Evans proposed that some effort should bo made to keep ex-members with the company. Under present arrangement members were lost altogether when they left the ranks, and he would like to see something done to keep them in touch with the company. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to refer the matter to the general committee to formulate a scheme.

Liout. Boon moved that as Capt. Mills had hinted that he would vacate his office at the end of the term, he should be asked to re-consider the matter. Sergt. Evans seconded.

Col-Sergeant Hartnell said it was the wish of all the company that Capt. Mills should retain command.

Captain Mills thanked the members and promised to re-consider his decision. The following committees were then elected:--General committee, Col.-Ser<*t I Hartnell, Sergts. Oliver and Evans, Corporals Green and Berndtsen, Privates Hill and Kurta; shooting, Col.-Scrgt. Hartnell, Sergts. Oliver and Evans, Corporal Lobb, Privates Nieholls, Blauchard, MeEwcn and Hill; finance, Capt. Mills, Private V. J. Hill; recruiting Sergts. Evans and Arnold, Private Dryland; social, Sergts. Oliver, Evans, Corporals Lobb and Berndtsen, Privates Dryland, Gray, McGonagle, and Clow with power to add to their number; auditor, Private L. Gray; secretary, Lieut. Boon. '

of thanks to the outgoing committees, the secretary, the range ward, en, and the press concluded the mcet-