WAIKATO CA VALRY, " C " TROOP.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1477, 20 December 1881, Page 2

WAIKATO CA VALRY, " C " TROOP.

A JtEETiXG of the members of this troop was held at G-wynne's Hotel, Hamilton, on Saturday evening-, for the purpose of receiving and considering -the resignation of Lieut. Johnson. There were about twenty members present, and the chair was occupied by Cayt. "Whitaker. The chairman explained that the meeting had been twice adjourned cwing to the absence of Lieut. Johnson. It was with feelings of the greatest possible regret that he rose to read the letter of resignation. It was not necessary for him to remind the troop with with what assiduity Lieut. Johnson had performed his dutieg, or of the high state of efficiency to which he had brought the men under him. The efficiency of the "C" troop had been admitted by competent authorities from different parta of the colony. And this was chiefly due to Lieut Johnsou, though be had been ably assisted by non-commissioned officers. He theo read. Lieut. Johnson's resignation. So far as he was personally concerned, they were well aware that a letter of that kind affected him more than anything 1 else, and for this reason : Some time ago he tendered his own resignation, and he took it back solely upon the ground that he had under him an officer who would attend to the practical work of the troop, while he himself agreed to attend to its interests outside. That was what he had said at the timej and wbat he meant. There was still a ray of hope. He had spoken to Lieut. Johnson, and that gentleman was willing to remain in h's present position until next drill if he thought that by cO doing he would be advancing the interests of the troop, and in the meantime they could consider how bast the vacancy could be filled up. Nothing but the pressure of his private duties caused the resignation of Lient. Johnson. He was satisfied with his comrades, and with bis brother officers, and they in their turn could testify that there was not a more efficient offioer in the force. (Applause.) In the name of the troop, he would ask Lieut. Johnson to retain hif position until after the May drill. (Applause.) > Lieut Johnson, said no man could feel otherwise than flattered at the kind remarks which had fallen fiom Capfc. Whitaker. To perform the dntieß of a volunteer officereffioiently required more time than he could afford to give. Since he had been in. the cavalry he had never missed a day's drill, , besides attending meetings, rifle practices, sword, drills, &c, which were necessary to keep up the enthusiasm of the troop, and he had come to the conclusion that to perform these duties properly would require greater sacrifices than he was able to make. The position of a volunteer wnj very different from that of an Imperial offioer. The former was an extremely difficult position, and whether he had succeeded it was not foe him. to. say.. While he could not in, justice to himself continue to hold the position of Lietenant he would nevertheless, they desired and thought itwould advance the interests of the troop remain, with 'them until aser the, M*y drill, l(ot ! that there were not in the rank nnen better , able to fill the position, if they would only throw their heart . and soul into it. During the ensuing si* months he hoped

they would consult together as^ to t irho should fill the posiUoa.. He would"»dviae them to get a< man willing to jeara. s Ho ( still hoped to become an honorary membßr, . and in that capacity, all frij ~could x ,for, the troop, attend the' monthly' dnlls,,aiid generally assist them.' Wherevprhe t*?Bs Jie would always remember thb pleaaiuit time he had^ spent in the 'ofd troop," jmdrp, especially of ttioir jpuriieyin'gs tygfi\3\bxt' notably co' the Tham&'s. ' f His mind- was' , fully made up to h**o. ' bye,_ but yielding io ' tfte ' <j£ Uapt, ' "Whitake'r, wife he regretted' was'npt able" always to attend their arula, he corise'Qted to jcemain.with _the,nrfor ..a^jthsif^^c, months. (Loud applaud). , ' The ohairm'aii eiid it w'aa, with ~ the greatest possible pleasure that ho handed Lieut. Johnson's resignation fo the 'secretary to be held over ~f&' future conai* ' deration, ' " Sub-Lieut. Huat said, he could cordially endorse the remarks which had fallen from Capt. JWhitaker ":rega?dirig Lieut. Johnson, whose. loss, he felt sure, would have put them; in 'very , awkward fix. Other members might posness ' his will, but they had riot the ability of the effioient officer v whose, resignation, .they, had been considering. '" ? • The chairman Said, that' now the Public and Volunteer Hall wa* open ,it was' at', the service of the troop for drilling and, other exercises. It was proposed 'io, procure boxing gloves, single sticks,. and foils for the use of the ,tropp, wh,o, pould x also indulge in sword exercise. He. did not know what tile young men. of tho* present day were like, but when he was young he was fond of indulging in suoh pastimes (laughter), and was.nqt afraid Id takeji turn at them yet. The first practice of this description Wf>nli take place on Saturday the 7th January. -Lieut. Johnson would be there, and if he could, possibly get away he would also be present, as also he had no doubt would theix . gallant Sub-Lieutenant. He had heard thai the troop were considered very efficient sword drill, a circumstance winch was due to the exertions of Lieut, Johnson and he hoped, out of respect to, that officer, that they would do their best to retain their good name. Lieut. Johnson hoped the men would embrace the opportunity presented to them. In reply to a question, the chairman stated that the ( practices in the hajl, would not entail any additional expense, in the troop for lighting, &c, an announcement which was received with great satisfaction. Lieut. Johnson spoke at some length on the necessity which existed for a uniform system of drill all over the colony, and concluded by moving that it was desirable that the volunteers should procure the regulation instruction book or that a book suitable to the wants of .the colony should be compiled. The motion was seconded by Cap Wbitaker, who expressed the conviction that very different tactics were necessary in New Zealand warfare from those employed in older oountries. Tho resolution fvaa then put and carried, Messrs. John Runciman, C. Gould, and W. Touks were elected honorary members of the troop*, and after passing a cordial vote of thanks to Lieut. Johnson and the chairman the meeting terminated.