MASTERTON VOLUNTEERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1008, 25 February 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON VOLUNTEERS.

IMPORTANT MEETING. The Company assembled last evening at the drill shed, about 20 members answering to their names. Sergeant-Major Bezar gave them a little bayonet exercise and firing drill in the presence of Major Bunny, who then addressed them. He said though not known as a voluuteer to many of them, yet he was tho first captain of volunteers eleoted in the Wairarapa, having been chosen captain of the ftetherston Company twenty years ago. He might be rusty in his drill, but he intended with the co-operation of the various Wairarapa Companies and their officers to make them second to none in the colony for efficiency and discipline. He explained the work the recently appointed Commission intended to(do, and stated a certain standard would infixed, and if any corps fell below that it would be disbanded, He did not come thore exactly in his official capacity that ovening, but rather to. have iv talk with the men on the position of the corps, and if on hearing their grievances (if any) he could remedy them, he would do all in. his power to do so,-(Applause.) He then asked Sergeant-Major Bezar to dismiss the men and requested them to assemble in Mr Corbel t's long mom to hold their annual meeting. The annual meeting was held, Major Bunuy in the chair, Lieut. Wyllie in attendance, Captain Ruck was not present. • Major Bunny laid before them a statement of the capitation paid to the corps. Sergt. Williams stated that for the last twelvemonth no statement of the corps funds could be obtained from the Captain, After a little more discussion Major Bunny vacated the chair to enable the corps to talk over their affairs,'a vote of thanks to him for attending waß carried unanimously on the motion of Corporal j Dalrymple seconded by Sergt. Dixon, and ' Lieut. Wyllie took tho chair. * After a brief discussion Sergt. Williams moved private Feilding seconded—"That \ Gapt. Ruok be asked to send in his resig- ; nation by 12 noon on Saturday 26th inst. Carried,

Corpl, Dalrymple moved Corp, Woods seconded--" That the Secretary writs out a resignation of the captaincy for Captain Ruck's signature, on obtaining which he be authorised to forward it to the Defence Minister. That Sergt. D. Dixon, Corpl. Dalrymple,and privates Fielding and Cox form a deputation to wait upon Captain Ruck to obtain his signature." Carried, .Sergt. Dixon proposed private Cox seconded—" That in the event of the Captain refusing to sigh the resignation Lieut. be authorised to ask the Government to disband the corps in ordar that it may be re-formed under a new head." Carried. Corpl. Dalrymple proposed orivate Feilding seconded—"Thatithe Lieut be requested to advertise for allaccounts to be sent in by the Ist of March. Lieut. Wyllie then appointed Sergt, Williams acting Color-Sergt,, ColorSergt, Girdlestono having left the district. It was resolved that Colonel Pearce's prizes be fired' for on Monday next at 6 a.m.. and 3 p.m. In the event of a competitor coming on the ground after the firing at the first range he will not be allowed to fire at that range. It was also resolved that tho corps attend.the Easter review at the Hutt, and that the Secretary write to Capt. Tullv, to that efifect. £ After some further discussion the meeting adjourned. 'jTJJT; The deputation waited on Captaiif Ruok this morning and be expressed himself as perfectly willing to resign and signed the form of resignation presented to him.