THE TARANAKI GUARDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 30 March 1911, Page 8

THE TARANAKI GUARDS

ANNUAL MEETING. | The annual meeting of the Taranaki Guards was held on Tuesday night. Lieut. Boon presided over a full attendance of members. Lieut. Boon in presenting the eleventh annual report stated that owing to the unfortunate position the respected captain of the company had been phced in and to the laxity shown by the company during the latter half of the year, more or less by all ranks, due to the changes in command, etc., this was necessarily brief. While speaking on this matter, he was sure all members hoped to hear of Captain Mills being reinstated and continuing in the service. The company had in the past always been congratulated on the work done, but during the past year opportunities for training had not presented themselves too often, and coupled with the lack of interest displayed, the usual high state of efficiency had not been maintained. The finances we're in a sound state. Seventy new uniforms had been procured, and the appointments generally were satisfactory. In shooting matters some excellent records had been put up, though the company yas defeated by the Taranaki Rifles. The championship belt had won by Private Nicholls, and the Vaßtung Cup by Private Short. Recruirßf had been successful both as regard? frnmbem and fitness. There were still many vacancies, as the establishment of the company was now raised from 63 to 1.25. The age now was from 18 to 22. It was anticipated that the training of all ranks I would be more thorough in future, and as squad leaders would be required (two! per section), it might be advisable to I hold classes for non-commissioned officers during the winter months. The i new scheme of training would commence 1 shortly, and no doubt all would have | much to learn. Probably there would be more individual and company training I than in the past. It was very desirable I I that a reserve company be formed so that members, after undergoing the prci scribed training, should be retained by I the company, especially now that the i members would be so young and incx- 1 ' perienced. The attendance and be-' haviour of members attending camp at Te Henui were very creditable. Parades ! were being held weekly at present. He briefly explained that in future officers would be appointed by the officer commanding the district, and not elected by the company. In conclusion, Lieut.' Boon mentioned that he was at present temporarily in command of the com-' 'pany, and he hoped there would be' unity and goodwill among all members,' and that strict obedience to orders would be observed. I f SHOOTING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The secretary of the shooting committee (Col.-Sergt. Hartnell) stated that the past year had been a fairly busy one. Most of the shooting had 1 been for money prizes given by the company, but trophies had also been' donated by Mr. Govett, Captain Cook, 1 and Mr. T. Avery. The Worthing Cup' had also been presented to the com-l pany, and was won by Private Short.] The company had been represented at the following meetings: New Plymouth,' Wanganui, Taumarunui and Trentham. At the local meetings its members' winnings were several pounds in excess of any other unit, while the men also won about £36 at Trentham, and one ot their number succeeded in gaining a place in the final fifty. Matches had been fired against the following teams: Tarata (1), Stratford (5), Eltham (4), Kaponga (2), Rifles (0), Okato (1), Kaitake (11), Rahotu (1), and Waitara (1). Sixteen three-figure totals had been compiled in matches and 18 pos-' sibles. The keenness in rifle work, he was sorry to say, had not been quite so good of late. It behoved the men l to work in earnest in the coming year, and try to win back the ground which 1 had been lost. The thanks of t,he com-1 mittce were due to those who had' : donated trophies, and especially to th ; general committee. * < OFFICE-BEARERS. Committees were elected as follow ' for the ensuing year:—General commit tee: Sergts .Evans and Arnold, Corpora ' Bruce, Privates Day, Drinkwater, Sol

and Mulloy; shooting committee, Sergts. Evans and Lobb, Corporals Bruce and Goodacre, Privates Jennings, Drinkwater and Arnold; social committee, Sergts. Evans and Lobb, Privates Drinkwater, Frances, Leighton, Day, Loch, Stanley and Way; finance committee, Captain Mills and Color-Sergt. Hartnell; recruiting committee: Sergt. Evans, Privates Loch, Bruce and Prances; xuditor, Private Ellerm; secretary, Col.'icrgt. Hartnell. Honorariums were voted as follows: £5 5s to Quartermaster-Sergeant and £3 3s to Range Warden. It was proposed that the chairman, ivho had acted as secretary during the last year, receive £5 in recognition of ,hose services, but Lieut. Boon declined icceptance of same. He thanked the neii for their kindness, and explained ;hat the officers had agreed among hemselves some yearn ago not <fco acept payment for any services they night render to the company. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded o Messrs. Connett, Sole Bros., H. T. Toll, Mcintosh, and W. Read for as-j istance during the recent camp, and ilso to Mrs. Drinkwater, and the outping officers and the press. It was decided to recommend the loeial committee to consider the advisibility of holding a social at an early late to celebrate the tenth anniversary if the company and to present trophies von in shooting competitions during the >a3t year. Before the meeting dispersed Private joldwater, wJ;o is shortly leaving the listrict, expressed his intention of preienting to the company a suitable troihy to be iired for at the discretion >f the shooting committee. He reerred to the good feeling which existed letween the officers and men, and extressed his regret at Slaving to sever lis connection with the corps.