THE WAIKATO TRIP.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3161, 5 April 1879, Page 3

THE WAIKATO TRIP.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—l see Major Murray and the officers commanding the Volunteer Companies have decided to carry out the idea of having a review at Hamilton on Easter Monday, notwithstanding the fact that the Hinemoa is not available for the trip to Auckland, and that the Government decline to pay the cost of chartering one of the local boats. I have been in hopes that failing the use of the Hinemoa the whole affair would drop through, but as it appears some are determined to carry it out, I would like to ask if they have given the matter careful consideration. Have they counted what ■will be the probable cost of the trip ? Of course the charge to each company will be comparatively small, but this will not represent one tithe of the whole cost. It is stated that between 300 and 400 men will turn out, and if so I venture to say that I am under the mark when I state ttiatetwer £400 will be spent before they return to the Thames. Although to some the amount may appear small, still in these dull times it can be ill spared, and it is very probable the result will be the small tradesmen will suffer. That the Tolunteers would be benefitted by being instructed in field evolutions I quite admit, but this could be obtained nearer home, and in a better manner than by spending two days travelling to get half a day's drill. I can also quite appreciate the desire the officers have of showing-off the perfection the Thames Volunteers have attained, but I think they might do so in a better way than the proposed trip, and at infinitely less cost. As a volunteer I also consider it rather too much of the officers to expect the men to turn out every holiday to assist in some display or other. Scarcely a holiday passes but the volunteers are asked to turn out in the morning, with a promise that they will be dismissed in time to enjoy themselves during the after part of the day. But it too often happens that the whole day is sp.oilt over some paltry manoeuvre, and closes by (he men hanging about the hotels during the afternoon, whereas if there had been no volunteer parade they would have enjoyed themselves in some innocent amusement. I should be sorry to oppose the desire of the officers to make the men as efficient as possible, but I think they ought to give them some little consideration.—l am, &C, A VoiiTJNTEEB.