WAIKATO CAVALRY INSPECTION. "B" Troop.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1605, 17 October 1882, Page 2

WAIKATO CAVALRY INSPECTION. "B" Troop.

The above troop turned out for inspection parade at Cambridge on Saturday last under CCa t. Runciman,ColLyon being inspecting officer. Thirty men turned out for inspection. The Colonel, in the course of his remarks to the men. complained of the general carelessness manifested both in the matter of appearance, and in the state ot the accoutrements There was hardly a clean rifle in the troop ; and some ot them came ■without rifles at all. Some, he said, came with one kind of breeches, some with another, and a few almost without any at all.

Meeting of the Troop. After inspection parade the men adjourned to the Court-house to discuss matters in connection with the troop. Capt. Runciman occupied the chair. The matter of finance was first brought under review — The Chairman thought it was only fair to members of the troop who had paid their liabilities that those who had not paid should be summoned and made to p.iy. — tiergt. Forrest remarked that since the matter had been put in the hands of the tioop's solicitor eight men had paid up. — Sergt.- Major Fisher pioposed that instructions be given Messrs Whitaker and Sheehan to proceed with summoning all who had not j)aid up. Trooper Moore seconded. — Agreed upon. — In reply to a question, Ciij)t. Rnnciman said the tioop had £191 2s 4d in the bank. Of this amount a considerable portion was owing. Notwithstanding, w hen they got in all their outstanding debts they had a substantial sin plus to their ciedit. — Seigt. Forrest suggested as a means of keeping the troop together that they should have qiurterly rifle piactice for pii/.es. A committee should be appointed and the men classed according to their standing as marksmen ; prizes to be given for the various classes. The few remat ks which had been addressed to them by the Colonel, he thought, had made them all look rather sorry, fie would move a resolution according to his suggestion. Sergt. Alwill thought, if they went on as they weie doing at present, it would be much better to break up the troop altogether. In seconding the 1 evolution, he would say they should make up their minds to be either a cavalry corps, or else abandon the idea altogether. Some of the men came there as if they did not care whether they came or stayed away. Immediately after the di ill was over they all wanted to get away. Several years ago they used to ha\e an excellent days' sport after the cli ill. He thought they should get up a days' lacing, or some other spoit after tl ie dull. This, he believed, would tend to keep the men together, tie believed in target practice, say once m the three months, for prizes. It was a great shame to see only four men turn out to compete for the Fen Court Belt. When a belt like this was offered he thought the whole troop should turn out and compete for it, whether they weie good or bad shots. If there was any life in the affair, they would get lots of young fellows to join, but as it was nobody would ever think of joining. — Sub-Lieut. Kirkwood thought it was Seigt. Al will's intention to convert the troop into an extensive athletic club. If the men did not wish to appear on the ground like Volunteers, and do their duty like soldicis, he did not think anything like what Sergt. Alwill suggested would be effectual. — Sergt. Alwill replied, that if anything would keep the men together it was sports and laces for prizes. These were carried on even among the rcgulais. — Sergt. Forrest said things were different now from what they wciesomc time ago. 'Die Government had shown itself ir» fa\ oui of encouraging the Volunteer movement. Certainly they had had great difficulty in getting the money they were entitled to, but this state of things had now been icmedicd. Te Awamntu and other places of less note than Cambridge had their periodical rifle contests, and this was the scciet of their prosperity, this was how they kept their men together. — Captain Runciman having expiessed his intention of resigning his office in the troop as soon as it was again on a proper footing, Sergt. -Major Fisher said they had not a man in the district who could have kept the corps together like Captain Rnnciman. If the coips dissolved they would be wanting in appreciation if they did notsuitably recognise his services. Captain Runciman said in a military sense New Zealand was now thrown entirely on its own resourses. The Constabulaiy force was getting less every day, and the counti y would have to look to its Volunteers to defend it. The less expense the country was put to in keejjing up a regular force the better ; lor the lighter would be the taxation, and if theie weie no Volunteers they would be obliged to keep up a regular force. Consequently he was greatly in favour of the troops being thoroughly reou'ganised, but not disbanded — Sergt. - Major Fisher moved that all who J were hi favour of the troop being kept in existence should hold up their hands. — In response only twelve hands weie held up out of about thirty present. — It was subsequently unanimously agreed upon that the troop meet in November as usual, and the carbine practice for prizes be part of the drill, and also that the money for the prizes (£] 0) be taken out of the funds of the corps. This terminated the meeting.

Great changes are taking place in A.uckand, new business premises of various kinds are rapidly improving the appearance of the city ; several firms are extending their premises, and the keen competitive spirit of the Old Country is now apparent amongst the city tradesmen ; the wholesale warehousemen, ironmongers, and banks, arc extending their boundaries ; and not the least important amongst the local industry establishments is the completion of a large concrete building three storeys high, 75 feet long, and 50 wide, erected in Lome-street, as a cabinet factory for Messrs. Garlick and Cranwell, who have erected machinery with the latest improvements, enabling them to turn out their work economically and expeditiously. This firm are now giving up their drapery and clothing business in order to secure more space as show rooms for their furniture, and,- to effect a speedy clearance, have reduced to a. very low price all their drapery aad clothing, which will be sold (for cash only) for one month. This is a. splendid opportunity for thrifty housewives' not only to secure clothing but all kinds of Manchester and , furnishing goods at rates that will jbay to Jay goods by till Eey are really wanted. -*