CAMBRIDGE CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1274, 28 August 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.

As extraordinary meeting of the Troop was held at the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Thursday evening, to discuss various matters of importance. The chair was occupied by Captain Runciman, and there were about 40 members of the Troop present, including two lieutenants. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, The Chairman explained that in accordance with instructions, Lieutenant Fisher and he had gone to the conference delegates held recently at Ohaupo, and met there the representatives of the other troops and discussed the various matters deputed to them. Regarding the formation of the several troops into a legiment, it olid not in any way affect them, and their delegates accordingly acquiesced in % resolution which was brought forward to form the three troops into a regiment. Some other matters had been introduced which they would have to decide at a future meeting. They however agreed upon the style of helmet, which was to b§ blue, with a white plume. Major Jackson had been requested to call for tenders, and the result was that Mr Ueiyton of Auckland had secured the contract. The helmet would cost £1 4s 6d, the oilskin cover, 25., and the plume Q§. The pattern would not be exactly the

same as that submitted to them. It was superior, and would cost no more than the other. Mr Fenton's assistant was present to measure them, and the helmets would be ready for the November drill. Sergeant Alwill asked what action the delegates had taken regarding honorary membars. He wished to know what would be done with their subscriptions. The Chairman said that was one of the matters which would require to bo dealt with at a future time. He presumed that a general fund for the regiment would be established into which the honorary members subscriptions would be paid. j Corporal Forrest said he wished to know what the troop intended doing In regard to the marksmen badges which had been won by members. Some misunderstanding appeared to have arisen about the master and he hoped the Captain would take steps to set it right. After fully discussiug the subject it was agreed to leave it in the hands of the captain. Sergeant Major Fisher referred to the carbine match to take place at Te Awamutu, on the 11 pro jr., and he had appoin ed » team consisting of SubLientenant Kirkwood, Sergeant Maointosh, Trooper A. Forrest, Sergeant Howie, Trooper H. Fergusson, and Trooper Selby with the Sergeant Major, as an emergency man. Corporal Forrest thought the team | should bo selected by competitors on a i certain day, but Sergeant Major Fisher objected, as by that means a " duffer" might get on the team. He thought they should send the best men to represent them. The action of Sergeant-M°jor Fi'-her was confirmed. Corporal Forrest said the Hamilton people were providing prizes to be competed for by the Hamilton Troop at these competitions. Cambridge should not bo behind. He thought they .should offer prizes for the highest scorers in the Cambridge team at ear-h of the three contests. Sub-Lieutenant Kirkwood and SergeantM.ijor Fi>her were opposed to the suggestion of Corporal Forrest. They were of opinion thnt four prizes should bo offered to the highest scorer in the whole number of the competitors at the Cambridge match, and ultimately a motion to that effect was carried, the money to be raised by a committee consisting of Capfc. Runciman, Lieut. Fisber, and Corporal Foirest, and the amounts of ! the prizes, if possible, to be, Ist, £5 ; 2nd, £4 ;~3rd £3; 4th £2. The same committee were al&o authorised to make the necessary arrangements for receiving and entertaining the teams visiting Cambridge. i The Chairman said a circular had been received from Wellington to the effact that the various volunteer companies in the colony should contribute something like £5 each towards the maintenance of the National Rifle Association. The matter was simply one to be dealt with by the members of the Troop. Lieut. Fisher said the Association had done much good. It had taken the place of the Government firing competition. He thought it would bS well if the Captain were to make full enquiries regarding the institution, whether the desired support of the Volunteers themselves would suffice, etc., and when such information had been gathered they could better decide what to do. This suggestion was unanimously agreed to. Corporal Forrest wished to bring under the notice of the Troop the advisability of keeping a record of the winners of the Fen Court Belt. The first year it had been won with a score of 40 points by Trooper Selby ; the second with a score of 4i by Sergeant-Major Fisher; this year Trooper H. Fergusson had made 48 and won it; and the last-named would, he thought, have to look to his laurels at the next contest. Sergeant-Major Fisher thought the proper manner of recording the winners' names was to have a clasp added to the belt every year. After some little discussion, it was agreed to defer the consideration of this matter for the present. The Chairman then narrated the .steps taken to obtain from the Domain Boaid a suitable piece of ground for drill purposes. He stated that the Lind, about 30 acres, would be cleared by about the 10th September, and that he had received the promi.se of about 24 teams to plough the ground and do the whole of the work in one day if possible. The. statement was received with pyniptoms of satisfaction by the members present". iSergt. Mackintosh said, in reference to the proposed amalgamation of the troops into a regiment, that hs hoped the office's would tako care to protect the interests of the Cambridge band. Although the Troop was saoond in point of seniority tlv ir band « as the senior band, and should take its place at the head of the regiment. He trusted this question would ba duly attended to in any future deliberations. He $r ive notice that at next ineitiug- of the Troop he would report to the Oiptain that that services of live of the bandsmen would no longer be re= quired. A b illot was taken for members nominated at the prc7iousjmeeting, the result being that the folloAving were elected: — Me.ssers W. H. Grace, 11 Swayne, and H. W. Moore. This w.i s all the business and the members having been measured for tlieir helmets, the meeting terminated.