THE NEW VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1214, 26 October 1882, Page 2

THE NEW VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

The following is a copy of the circular issued from the Defence Department to the officers commanding Volunteer forces throughout the colony. The regulations, as proposed, will, when adopted by the Defence Minister, be gazetted, and come in force on the date named, It will be observed that the new regulations embody the chief suggestions made by the recent Commission appointed to enquire aid report upon the volunteer system (if the colony Sir,—l am directed by (lie lion, the Defence Minister to inform you that certain ohangea in the constitution and organisation of the volunteer force will take place fronj the Jet January, 1893, and in order to savo timo and give every opportunity for members of volunteer corps to discusi and consider the now regulations under which they will have to serve, the principal points will be briefly detailed.

1. Volunteer forces will bo divided into two classes, viz., (a) Garrison or Headquarter corps; (b) Country corps. 2, Garrison corps aro such as form part of the fixed establishment the Government consider necessary for the service of the colony.

3. Country companies are all other corps whose services are continued, but not included in tbp fixed establishment, 4. The qualification? for papitatioi} for garrison corps \yill be ag follows i-(a) Attendance at 12 Government parades of not less than two hours' duration, one hour of which must bo devoted absolutely to drill; four of these parades will be hold in daylight, (b) To flro in Ist and 2nd periods of target-practice, and to go through the Ist and 2nd periods of judging distance drill, 5. For country corps, members to qualify for capitation will have to attend one inspection of arms, accoutrements, &c., in each quarter, and undergo not less than one hour's drill, and also fire, in the Ist and !?nd periods of target-practice, and go through the |st and §nd periods of judging-distance practice, 6. No parade, dull, or inspection to reckon towards capitation in either garrison or oountry corps if less than the minimum strength of the corps is present.

7. The maximum and minimum strength of corps of all arms to be as follows Garrison, corps—maximum GB, minimum 43; Country corps—maximum 50, minimum SO. 8. Every volunteer to enrol for twelve months' continuous service, and untrained rgcruits only permitted to enrol for qorp in t||e of January and <|uly in each ypnr. 9. these results to b$ fopied into equade irrespective of corps; they will have to attend 8() houvs! recruit drill, and go tjjvongh the first and second periods of target and judging' distance practice, if reported pfHoiont, they will be pa;s.ed i|) drill, tii)cj join the ranks of their corp3. 10. Capitation can be claimed for these reoruits, provided the period under instruction has not exceeded six months, and a free issue of a serge suit will be granted to enable them to attend recruit's drill in uniform,

11. Men who lrnvo previously received a military training can be enrolled at any period during the year, but they will not receive capitation unless they hayo qualified for it by attending tlje rpqijired number of'parades! ' 12, Officers ' find non-commissioned officers will havq to undergo an examination (before their, appointment's are confjpnjed) it) ceftajn subjects, whjch will be specified in t||e ne<v ragijlatipna, J3- Gajpofl bunds onjy wjl) bp permitted in Btsitipiia where there are four corps or upwards, of a strength in proportion of five men to each corps, 14, Tjhey are to be under the Immediate control of the officer in command of the district. Capitation will be granted to bandsmen who attend the proper number of parades, and Government assistance aftjrcjed towards defraying expenses of instruction! '• 15 'At places where fliefe are lew t|ian four corps tfiq sani'e proportion' of-bands men V» ty ' ' 16. VoJqfjteep gofps vjjo'angt pf«sent above the maximum street}) down in new regulations will be required to reduce their numbers to the fixed establishment before the 31st January* 1883, and may adopt such means by ballot of qthgrwiga a$ trjay |je deemed best to cifrpy oijt the required reijuolion. Vj. Corps failing to oo so before the above date will bo disbanded and new oorps of'tho authorised establishment formed in their place, 18. Cadet corps except those in oenneotion with schools, will be disbanded at the close of the present year. 19. Regulation uniforms will be paid for as heretofore out of capitation, the Government obtaining them tiqi) froqfcorps,. ' " '' ?i)e '(jfiestiqn pf nnifofms. for 0011 [)try corps' will be deq'lt witf) hereafter. 21. Corps at Engineers will cease to be reoognised as suoh after 81st December, 1882. . 22. Naval volunteers will be reconstructed as" Naval Artillery Volunteers," to be trained at the four prinoipal ports in the working of the heavy batteries about to be ejected, for which a Bpeoial allowance will bof grafted, a* specified ill forthcqminn regnlatioiis. ■ "T '' '< '' '■ 'i ! : •" 28."1f you require any further^inforin this memorandum, it will at once be furnished to you on - application to this office.—l have, &0., H., E, Briber, Lieutenant-Colonel, Under-Secretary Defence, '