CAPTAIN WHITAKER'S ALLEGED BREACH OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE REFUTED.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1460, 10 November 1881, Page 3

CAPTAIN WHITAKER'S ALLEGED BREACH OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE REFUTED.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — In a paragraph headed "Te Aw.tmutu," winch appeared in your issue of Bth i nst., a correspondent wntes to the effect that Col. Lyon, (commenting upon a sort ot conditional ofter of service made by Cipt.un Rutherford on the part of the Te Awamutu troop) " called attention to a la I; of military discipline by Whitaker in having convened a meeting of hi 1 - tioop for the purpose of volunteering to the front, without first receiving the sanction of his superior officer." Mi Editor I flatly refuse to believe that Col Lyon ever made such a speech. Captain Whitaker, in common with other officers commanding volunteers are continually in the habit of convening meetings of their men for purposes generally advertised "important business" in connection with then iilf<ni3. Whether it is a bieach of militaiy discipline to do so, or not, I will leave to Major Jackson, who has made a good many feueh bleacher. But wli.it of om gallant Colonel and Com niixndcr-in-Chiet, severely censuring an officer un'ler his command, in the absence of that olli er, and in the presence of the non-coinmi<-' < 3'oned officers and troopers of the To Awamutu cavahy \olunteu-. Tho thing, Sir, is an unheaid of muidei of military etiquette and martial law, ot which Col Lyon would simply be incapable. Were it leally true, and it came to the knowledge of the Defence Minister Col Lyon would get soundly wigged, and deservedly so. Captain Wlntii er i-. a cipit.il volunteer officer, and I date say, in common with his brethren-in-aims gcneially of the volunteer &er ice, does not stick so close to tin Mutiny Act and Articles of War as he and they ought to, but of this I am cer tain, that any representation made in a proper manner to him by Col. Lyou, would be received with respect and atten tion. The ridiculous report I pionounce to be a politic il squib Mr Editor. You have been had. and should bo prosecuted for libel. — I am, &c , Curb-chain. Ha-nilton, Nov. Bth, 1881.

" How much id the enfciy,' 1 whispered a Kcd Gulch miner with a Mntrle 20 dol trold piere to the deacon with the collection i Lite in the E ipti^fe Church at Black R in, Col H 1 w.ib told to contribute whatever he (hose, whoieupon he &a*d !.e d c'nip in i dollar, and proceeded tn take 19 ch'lltis ch.tnfyo The deacon softly lephed that uo change was {riven A BtiugL r le oiisiifd, thp plate was upset, and tlio oi>nirip«j.itii>n weieintho act ot ' jumping 1 the deacon's* claim,' whnn th( minister, an old Californium leaned ovei the pulpit with a Wire navy revolve" am. ob-prvnl, ' The brethren will please take Dotice that I h.ive j?ot the drop on them, find .my brother who declines to 50 to hi»seat or who touches any of that monej will have a funeml to-morrow at 2 p.m Our mmmg 1 fiiend flora Rod Gulch wil] in.llv rle us rh) Ii >nt • t u'o it o•h 1 U < dead man. 1 ' The 20 dollar gold pieci went to Riivo the heathen.