VOLUNTEERING.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3660, 18 September 1880, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.)

Sib,—The huge babble of a general review at Auckland on the 9th Norember has burst. The mountain has brought forth a mouse—oat of orer 700 Thames Volunteers only about 35 Navala, 24 Scottish, 15 Bangers, and 12 Engineers voted with the ayes. Bat so far as I can learn, all hands* would gladly go to Cambridge or Te Awamutu next Easter. So moto it be. In the meantime if the powers that be would take a gentle hint, and cease this constant " puffing ". of the Burgoo Battalion, and scheming for its aggrandisement at the expense of their comrades, it would tend to a better feeling amongst the men generally, and make things gq along muoh more pleasantly. I cordially approve of competition and emulation between the various companies, but there is supposed to be.honor among thieves, and there certainly should be more of it amongst officers. I notice that the T.S. Battalion are to have a church parade shortly, which other companies are invited to attend. This little dodge has succeeded on several previous occasions, but it would look less like favouritism if the Major commanding the district .would order a church parade once a quarter for all the volunteers, halting,the columns at a central place, say Mary-street, and allowing each company to attend its own place of worship under their own officers, reforming column at -the same place before returning; every company would then be on its own mettle to make a good show so as not to be outdone by others, and this esprit de corps is life to tbe volunteer movement. I trust that no offence will be taken -at these' few remarks and suggestions, which I make with all due respect to those in authority, and in the exercise of my right as A Citizen of the Thames.