SPECIAL MEETING, HAMILTON CONTINGENT WAIKATO CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1201, 9 March 1880, Page 2

SPECIAL MEETING, HAMILTON CONTINGENT WAIKATO CA VALRY VOL UNTEERS.

A special meeting of the Hamilton Con- ! tingent Te Awamutu Cavalry Volunteers ] was held on Saturday evening. Lieuteuent Whitaker occupied the chair, and the officers of the contingent and about 25 members were present. The minutes of the preceding meeting having been read and confirmed, the standing orders were suspended to allow of the election of new members. Messrs John Clark, Robert Grammy, James Ait ken and Dr Sandes were duly balloted for and elected. Dr. Sandes was subsequently elected surgeon to the oorps. Resignations were received from Troopers C. U. "Wood, Fleming and Frank Vialou, also from Trooper Geo. Edgecumbe, the secretary. The Chairman expressed general regret at the resignations of Messrs C. C. Wood and Edgecumbe. The former was one of the oldest members of the corps, and the latter had been a most willing and efficient secretary, always at their service. He felt he should be only echoing the voice of the corps m proposing Trooper Edgecumbe a hearty vote of thanks for the efficient manner m which he had carried out the duties of secretary. The proposition was carried by acclamation. At this stage Lieutenant Whitaker left the chair, whioh was assumed by SubLieutenant Johnson, who stated, for the benefit of those not present at the last meeting, that Lieutenant Whitaker had resigned m consequence of pressure of business on his time, and that about 20 members of the corp, at the close of the meeting, had signed the following requisition : — To Lieutenant Whitaker, Te Awamutu Cavalry Volunteers. We, the undersigned members of the Te Awamutu Cavalry, desire to express our thanks for the efficient manner m which you have conducted the affairs of the contingent since you have been m command, and recognising the deep interest you have hitherto taken m the welfare of the members, sincerely wish you to reconsider the decision which you thought it neces sary to arrive at this evening, m determining to resign your command. Signed by John Davis, and 19 others then present. Several more signatures were then added to the requisition by members not present at the meeting of the 28th ult., and Lieutenant Whitaker having 1 reentered the room and again taken the chair, the address was presented to him. He expressed himself much gratified with the action of the corps, and stated, for the information of those not present on a previous occasiou, that he had desired to withdraw from the command because he could not see conscientiously how he could carry out the duties which were ! strictly due from a commanding officer to his troop. Other duties were increasing upon him. The fact was he had not time at his command, and he could not attend to the duties of the corps as he ought to do. This is why he had placed the matter before them. If it were of any advantage to them for him to remain nominally the head of the corps he would be happy to do so, but not to be held responsible for an appearance of shirking duty. Since he had received so flattering a requisition he could not decline to accede to it, the more readily as he could leave m the hands of Lieutenant Johnson with every feeling of confidence that the practical management of the corps would be ably carried on. He thanked them for their manner of treating the subject, and assured them that whenever he could menage to squeeze a day out he would be with them. He should not be even able to attend the drill fo- he should be attending his Parliamentary duties at Wellington, but whether here or there he should always be found endeavouring to further Volunteer interests m the Waikato. EASTER REVIEW. With regard r,o the proposed review at the Thames m Easter week, Lieutenant Johnson stated to the meeting that he had be°n at Grahamstown a fortnight ago, when the liveliest hopes were expressed by both Volunteers and townsmen that the Waikato Cavalry would come to the Thames. The Grahamstown people were prepared to guarantee paddocks, stabling and forage free of charge for every horse, and to receive the men as their guests. Trooper Hunt asked whether the Government could not be prevailed upou to count the time occupied m the review as drill. It was not only a matter of expense, but of time, and many of the Cavalry would have to provide substitutes on their farms or lose their work where employed during their absence. Lieutenant Johnson said Colonel Lyon was going to consult Major Jackson, the officer commanding Waikat© Cavalry, today. Colonel Lyon's opinion was that at least 100 men should go. Lieutenant Whitaker thought it should be ascertained what the actual cost per man would be. Taken at the outside he did not think it would be over iOs to las, as all expenses on the Thames would be saved. Ministers would be m Waikato next week, and he would himself see them and ask what they would do m the matter. Trooper Ellison suggested that as these Easter reviews were likely to be annual affairs they should take the place of the May drill. It was explained by Lieutenant Johnson that the Easter season would be inopportune as a rule to take settlers away from their farms Lieutenant Whitaker strongly approve! that, if none other went, the Hamilton Contingent should, with the sanction of the authorities, go to the Thames Sergeant -Major Seddon then proposed, "That the Hamilton Contingent Te Awamutu Cavalry Volunteers do attend tho Thames Easter review subject to approval of the Government." Seconded by Trooper Hyde, and carried unanimously. The Chairman said the review would take place on Easter Monday, and it would be necessary for them to leave Waikato on the Saturday preceding. Lieutenant Johnson explained that the necessary commissariat for the road would be provided. Some discussion arose as to details of the journey, after which the meeting separated.