INSPECTION OF the TE A WAMUTU CAVALRY. "A" TROOP.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1597, 28 September 1882, Page 2

INSPECTION OF the TE A WAMUTU CA VALRY. "A" TROOP.

The troop paraded on Monday morning for inspection, Capt. Rutherford in command. The men weie fully equipp.edaud mounted. Major Jackson was present. The total number present was forty-tour, including the band. The troop having been proved, the men dismounted and went through their carbine drill and pursuing practice. The inspecting officer (Col. Lyon) now arrived on the ground and was duly received with the general salute, the band of the regiment playing meanwhile. A close inspection of arms, accoutrements, and ammunition then followed. Subsequently, Col. Lyon interviewed the volunteers in the hall, and made the customary enquiry as to whether anyone had aught to complain of. Trooper Gresham then stepped to the f ront.and informed ttie Colonel that what he was about to say was with the express sanction of Capt. Rutherford, and with the approval of the whole troop, It appears that in February last Captain Rutherford and Trooper Gresham were deputed by the ti-oop to lay before the hon. the Defence Minister a statement in writing, setting forth in detail the much vexed question of the arrears of pay due f rom theGovernmenttothetroop, and extending back to November, 1880. Such written statement was accordingly prepared, and the first item claimed was the sum of £4 10s per man, being at the rate of 15s per diem for 6 days drill during November, 1880.— Trooper Gresham went on to say that Captain Rutherford and himself were introduced by Major Jackson to the hon. Mr Bryce at Kihikihi in February ; that on that occasion a copy of the statement in question was handed to Mr Bryce (it subsequently appeared in the columns of the Wuikato Time*) ; that Mr Bryce had then promised that he would consider the matter and would give his reply on his return to Waikato in a few weeks. As a matter of fact, Mr Bryce did not return to the Waikato. March, April, May, June, July, and August had elapsed, and up to the present moment Mr Bryce had not given his reply as promised. The troop considered that they were entitled to a reply to their written statement, and this irrespective of the special promise made to them. They had seen by the newspapers that the November, 1880 pay had very recently been voted to them. Col. Lyon : That is so. I have received it, and it will be paid forthwith. Trooper Gresham said the the November, 1880, pay was but the first item of several which it was considered were due to the troop, and some explanation should be forthcoming of why that pay had been withheld for nearly two years. Captain Rutherford, Sergfc-Major Higginson, Quarter-master Sergt. Roche, and others fully bore out the statement made by Trooper Gresham. Colonel Lyon then suggested that as the Hon. the Defence Minister would be in the district within a few days the deputation should interview him, and again ask for his promised reply. Personally he (Col. Lyon) could not go into the question, as he merely acted under orders. By way of testifying their appreciation of the advice thus given them by Col. Lyon, the troop gave him three hearty cheers on his departure. A meeting took place afterwards whereat the troop affairs generally were discussed. It was resolved that Mr Bryce should be once more interviewed. Quarter-master-Sergt. Roche moved •'That the thanks of the troop are due to Trooper Gresham for the energy he has displayed, and the action he has taken re the arrears of pay." It was entirely owing to Mr Gresham's exertions in bringing the matter baforc the public, and before the proper authorities that any portion of these arrears ould be received. He knew that when Mr Gresham took a matter in hand he would carry it through, and he had certainly "done so in this instance. Captain Rutherford had great pleasure in seconding the motion, which was carried by acclamation. He was personally aware of the trouble Mr Gresham had taken in preparing the statement which Mr Bryce had not yet replied to. The following were the re-nominated to form the deputation -.—Captain Rutherford, Sergt. -Major Higginson, Sergt. W. Bond, Quarter-master-Sergt. Roche, and Trooper Gresham. — (Correspondent. )