THE ENGINEERS.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3490, 2 March 1880, Page 3

THE ENGINEERS.

(To the Editor of the EvENiKCt Stab.)

Sib,-—He was a wise man who remarked "Save me from my friends." The member of the Hauralri Engineers, who essays to becomo a champion for his Captain, informs us that it is against the regulations for a volunteer to commit himself to newspaper writing. There is nothing in the Volunteer Regulations which can bear that construction. A colonist of New Zealand loses none of bis civic rights by becoming a militiaman or a volunteer, that at least has been the logic which the Commanding Officer in question acts on, when it has suited his purposes. It is not so long since that person, when a non-commissioned officer, communicated directly with Dr Pollen, the Acting Under-Secretary for Defence. On his elevation, however, he looks at things from another point of view, and snubs his first-Lieutenant for communicating with. Major Murray on a matter of a person&^-nature without passing it through his^&ands. Stagnant pools become offensive by stirring, and the least said about Hauraki Engineer affairs the better. Since, however, an attack has been made on me by such a "big drummer," I feel constrained with your permission to absolve myself from aspersions of untruthfulness. In regard to my report to {he Volunteer Service Gazette, the remarks furnished by me were perfectly true so far as was known at the time the report was sent — and published. It was not until every other corps on the field hsd chosen its representatives, that two members of the Engineers were selected to attend the Association meeting. To rebut the statements advanced re exodus of shooting men, I give a few names :— Lieut. Brownlow, Volunteers Stockdale, White, Hawkins, Hastings, Price, and Fugill, now in the Scottish Volunteers; Volunteers Reynolds, Armstrong, Cameron, Johns, Frearson, and Taylor to the Naval Brigade; Volunteers Kennan, Adcock, G-rundyr and J.. Rowe have left from unavoidable causes. " A Member" must be very confidential with Captain Small to assert that Lieut. Barlow without the captain's knowledge had left the Drill Hall. No officer was, however, constrained to remain for an indefinite time after drill was over. The corps is not united in sympathy on certain points notwithstanding " Members " assertion to the contrary. " Member's " knowledge is but limited to the Orderly Room, which is not situated in the Drill Hall, but on the opposite side of the way, where such parasites as" Member," most do congregate.~l am, &c. The " Own Cobbesjondent N.Z.V.S. Gamsttjb." [This letter must end the discussion.— E».« S.].. „. . - -