PROPOSED CAVALRY CORPS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1331, 23 April 1885, Page 2

PROPOSED CAVALRY CORPS.

In accordance with advertisement, a meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Ovalry (Jorps for GeraldiiiG] was held at the Bush Hotel on Monday evening. There was an attendance of twenty, mi 1 Mr R. H. Postlethwaite was voted to tho cHair. J'he Chairman having explained the object of the meeting, called upon those present to state their views and give any information they coul 1 to the meeting. Mr W. B. Compton. who had been a member of the Canterbury Cavalry Corps, quoted the price of the different articles of dress, the total cost being £9 ss. Each man would have to find his own horse, saddle, and bridle, the Government, however, finding armc and ammunition. The estimated cost of uniform given was simply the price any person ordering a single one would hart! to pay. When a number was reqaired they could be obtained for much less. Mr fcf. B. Webster asked Mr C>mpton whether he knew what their chances of acceptance were, and what number cf drills they were required to aHend.s Mr Compton could not answer the first part of the question, but said they would have to turn out twice a year for four or five days' drill. Captain Dundas was the drill instructor of Cavalry in the South Island. The maximum strength of a troop was 32. Mr A. Kelman thought the belt thing they could do was to make out a list, and see if the requisite number of men could be got. The Chairman agreed with Mr Kelman, and thought there would be no difficulty in getting a sufficient number, He considered a Cavalry Corps a desirable thing in a large agricultural district like Geraldine. Most of the young men knew how to ride, and nearly everyone kept a horse. A In reply to Mr Mcllraith, Mr Compton said his estimate of the cost of uniforms was allowing for the best of materials. No capitation grant was allowed by Government. Mr Waite proposed that Captain Dundas should be writteu to for information respecting the formation of a corps. Mr Compton suggested that Captain Wright, of Timaru, should also be written to. Mr Webster thought it w>uld be best to write to Mr Ballance also, and the

information which would be obtained laid before another meeting. On the motion of Mr Kf man, seconded by Mr Mollrairb, Mr Webster was unanimously elected Secretary. The Chairman prepared a list, and twelve persons in the room subscribed their names to it as willing to join the proposed corps. On the motion of Mr Kelman, the Secretary was empowered to call another meeting when be lias obtained the necessary information. It was decided to leave the list at Mr Mollraith'p, and any person's who ire desirous of joining the corps are requested to call and sign their names. A preat deal of interest is being taken in the movement, and it will wholly rest with the Government as to whether it is to be carried out, as we are certain there will be no difficulty in raising the required number of men. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Complon for attending, and for the inform*lion he had furnished. A similar vote to Mr Postlethwaite for presiding over the meeting brought the proceedings to a close. Mr Mcllraith was also thanked for placing/his room at the disposal of the meeting. >,f ;1 ""