The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14. TARANAKI RIFLES' JUBILEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 322, 13 January 1909, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14. TARANAKI RIFLES' JUBILEE.

To-day witnesses tiie liftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the enrolment of the Taranaki Rille Volunteers, a company that has materially' assisted to make history in New Zealand. At this time 50 years ago, this district was in a measure defenceless, the militia having been disbanded. Citizens, however, were not prepared to accept the official opinion that the dark days were over, and accordingly adopted measures foi the protection of the settlement. Thus the Taranaki Rifles came into being, one of the original volunteer companies formed in New Zealand. It is a matter of wellknown history that Taranaki's trouble did not end ill the lifties, and the forebodings of the settlers of that time proved unhappily prophetic. Had it been otherwise," the Rilles no doubt would have had an uneventful career, no roll or honor, no distinguishing place ill history. "Primus in arinis,'' the envy of volunteers throughout the Empire, will live in the Uritisli volunteer archives as epoch marking.

The citizen soldiers of Taranaki generally, tile men of the Taranaki Rilles particularly, showed in those days, as their sons demonstrated it couple of decades later, that courage, and resource in the hour of emergency flourish hiiil:t tile Southern Cross equally as in the Old Land. Taranaki owes a deep and everlasting debt to the Taranaki Rilles, an obligation that is not fully appreciated ill our own generation, but one that will be recognised more and more as time rolls on. There is 110 occasion at this juncture to follow the ups-and-downs of the company during the fifty years of its life. It has had its alternating share of vicissitude and prosperity. The company during its comparatively long life has been fortunate in being capably and popularly oflicered. and throughout has maintained a high standard of efficiency, 10-day's celebration, it will be recognised. is an event, of considerable national importance, and us such we believe it will be regarded. The advancing years have sadly thinned the ranks 'of the battle-scarred company, but the roll eilll to-day will still 'be. answered by many veterans of the original enrolment. That fact adds unique interest to the proceedings, and should tend ia no small degree to enhance tiie esprit de corps of the Taranaki liilles. So long as tile enviable record ni' the liilles is kept bright, there 'never need be fear that the company will languish. The record of the past fifty years is one to be reviewed with pride, and we join with all who have been connected with the company during its existence in wishing it prosperity and added lustre. 111 conclusion, we would suggest that the citizens of New Plymouth take the cue troni to-day's proceedings and arrange an annual function having for its object the in-gathering of (he veterans of the 1 aranaki War—milifia, volunteers and regulars. Otago and Canterbury have their Early Settlers' Associations. Taranaki s debt to her pioneers is deeper than that of tlu> peacefulh® settled provinces of the South Island, Ei'e the opportunity has passed, let us honor the brave.