VOLUNTEERING.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3650, 7 September 1880, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—Your correspondent f Chevron " either does not know anything about the Auckland volunteers and their " nerves " P or knowing, wilfully writes what is untrue. Their exertions up to date have consisted of a meeting of officers having been palled twice, and on each occasion the attendance has been so insignificant as to practically constitute a failure. At the last meeting Major Berrom certainly told tliose present they should get sound drill, as he did not like to hear them described at " duffers." As to the latter part of his letter the "why" should be addressed to his commanding officer. In passing I may remark that during the last five mouths various paragraphs have appeared in the newspapers with the apparent object of- creating as it were a

desire amongst the Thames Volunteers of taking part in the proposed 9th ot* November review at Auckland; but so far without success—the qaestions ofhow much time shall we lose, and what will be the cost of steamer and billeting in Auckland to each man, up to the present are unanswered; I have been to Auckland with Thames Volunteers on several occasions, and I must say their ideas of volunteering and ours are very unlike.; most of the young men of the ages who with us belong to some volunteer company, seem to think it very degrading to do so in Auckland, whita those who delight to be called merchant princes, +■ sneer at the unnecessary exhibition of war j paint,, &c, instead of encouraging the | men. Under these circumstances the Thames Volunteers may well think twice before rushing off to lose their time, spend hardly earned money, and put themselves to inconvenience for the. purpose of amusing these people, whose highest aim is to get as much money out of them in as short a time, and for as little value, as possible.—l am, &c, ■' '"' ' Gtiovrsr. ■