THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3578, 15 June 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1880.

We bare often had occasion to say that the aspect of affairs as regards due encouragement to the Volunteer Force was gloomy enough, but we think bo such damper has been thrown on the force before as that recently given by the present Government, who have declared that ''they do not consider the volunteers deserving of remuneration." Kemunera-

tion the volunteers do not ask for; their mildest flights of imagination only leads them to dream of some pecuniary encouragement to defray their costs out of pocket, whilst fitting themselves as efficient State soldiers. The New Zealand Government have broken faith with their citizen soldiery by the repeal of the volunteer land scrip, and we believe that the volunteers have a good case to plead at the bar of the Imperial department, which rumor says will shortly be done. The investigation of volunteer affairs in this district during la3t week seems to show that the Government bear us no good will. It is ' surprising to us that free-born Britishers should submit to be called to account in : the very severe and striot manner I assumed by the stern old disciplinarian commanding this district. If the Thames miners had been spoken to by their mining bo4Lßttfc the same tone, they woi^d hare , resented it. It is " greatly to their credit" that they should be quiet under reproof. Administered by their self-imposed military chief, it affords another example of the thorough discipline of the hardy Thames miners in their capacity as volunteers. The inspections of the past week have been conducted in an unprecedently severe manner. The first batch examined was the gallant Navals, who stood the test with remarkable sang froid ; they were "all there" to the number of 120. The drill and discipline was perfect, and they had a full share of commendation from Major Withers. The cadets were next taken. " Our boys" mustered in two strong little companies tinder their efficient and painstaking commanders, and were told they did remarkably well. The " Scottish Musqueteers " had next to face the ordeal, and well they stood the test; the gallant old Major could not help being impressed in their favonr when he entered the brilliantly lighted hall, amid the crash of their splendid •' military " band, and the effective " present" given him by the grim looking Scots, whose manual exercise was pronounced by him to be as near perfection as could be arrived at by volunteers; their numbers too were imposirjg, two of the strongest companies of the field, clothed, armed and accoutred alike in every respect, could bat meet with expressions of approbation from an old soldier, so little used to that regular uniformity among colonial volunteers, The battalion band, and the two leading companies numbered very nearly 200 all told; with the up-country detachment inspected on Saturday we believe 250 men of the battalion will have answered the roll before Major Withers this month. The Eifle Hangers came next in rotation.' This is the corps, patronised by the residents of Shortland, who have no reason to be ashamed of the excellent musters and efficiency of the Shortland'Light Infantry. They muster nearly up to their allowable strength. The Engineers were next examined, and stood the test well. This is a comparatively young company so far as rank and file is concerned ; with good officers at its head, it would doubtless become the leading company of the Thames Goldfields. The Maori corps were inspected on Saturday. Their inspection completed the inspections of the district.