ENTHUSIASM OF COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9177, 28 August 1908, Page 4

ENTHUSIASM OF COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS.

The enthusiasm of country, volunteers is often remarked upon, and an excellent illustration of their love for the training is furnished by the Ranfurly section of the Maniototo Rifles. Staff-Sergeant-Major Burgess, mounted infantry instructor, was last week conducting a series of lectures for non-commissioned officers in Ranfurly, and membera of the Rifles came

into the township to attend these. One came daily from Kokonga, 10 miles away; another the same distance, from Patearoa; and another from Gimmerburn. On Saturday morning the Sergeant-Maior held a parade at 7 o'clock, and there were eleven men there. Friday night was about the coldest night Ranfurly has experienced, and at parade on Saturday there were about twenty degrees of frost. This did not discourage the men from the outlying parts, however —they were all present. The Gimmerburn man, for instance, rose at 5 o'clock, and rode eight miles through the biting winter's morning, so that he might not miss the instruction to be given. He returned home for breakfast, was back in Ranfuriy for another parade at 3 o'clock, and was in attendance at a lecture in the

evening.