OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 7622, 19 January 1892, Page 2

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Annual Report of the Wanganni Rifles.

The following is the report to be p^ sented at the twenty-flrst annual generSl meeting of tho Wanganai Bides, to be held at the Steam Packet Hotel at 8 o'clook this evening : — The Council have the honour to submit their annual report for the year ending 81st Decembsr 1891. The year just ended haß boen an eventful o.e in the history of the corps in many ways, and we Have some very satisfactory results to record.

Members will hive it in their rocolleotion ' \ that at the la<t annual meeting Mr Borlwe who was then captain intimated his intention of resigning his position in Mar last year, and he made the announcement then, so that members could look about them for his successor. The choice of the corps fell upon our old commander Major Watt ; who was approached by the Council with the view of inducing him to resume his old command. It was at that time thought he could resume his former position in the corps, without forfeiting his superior rank, but tllfl Defence Office ruled Ihifc if he desired tj tako command, ho would first have to rosißn hie r.ink as Major. Major Watfc expressed his willingness to accept the commani), and such was the interest he ovinci'd for tbo welfare of the corps thai he at onto resigned his superior rank. A general meotini; of the oorps was then called by Lieutenant Foster, and Major Watt was unanimously elected as Captain. After soveral months delay Captain Wattf • appointment was gazetted, and his rank as Major can- oiled. The Council congratulate tho membera on their selection, and feel confident ihit the gentleman they have secured will prove himielf^as zealous an cQVr, and as watchful of. ihe lo'ere.-ts of the corps as he was ia the pujt, before his accession to tho rank of major. It must also be noted that C^pluin Watt has sacrificed all his past services and superior rank merely for the purpose of resuming Mb old command at the wish of tbe corps, and your Council feel assured that it would be h»rd to find another csse of (he same nature in the annals of the Volunteer f owe of the colony, and on these grounds alone Captain Watt is entitled to to the utmost measure of

support of each member of the oorps, in til mattors appertaining in the slightest degree to its concerns.

The Council regret having to place on rocoid tho death of Sergeant 8.. W. Bush, who died after a long and painful illness in May last. Our late comrade was one o£ the oldest members of the corps, and had at different times held the offices of secretary and color-serjeant, the duties appertaining to whioh he had always carried out in a most exemplary manner. His loss is to be deplored and your Council desire to plaoe on record this tribute to bis memory. There ar3 several vacancies in the rank* of the non-coaimissionfld officers— one serjeant and three corporals being required. It is the intention of the Commanding Officer to fill tho vacanoieg as early as possible.

At a general meeting of the corps held in December, it was deoided to obtain the Kharkee uniform without delay. Subaequently the order for supplying these was given to the New Zealand Clothing Faotory, and we may expect to receive the uniforms by the end of next month.

The financial position of the corps ia verysatisfactory as the balance-sheet will »hoir. It may, however be as well to mention thqi _ in ordering the new uniform allthepreienfc resources of the corps will be absorbed, and eren these will not be auffioienfcto meet the entire cost; it therefore behoves aU members to attend drills daring the ensuing year «o that the corps may earn capitation for its full strength. Tho year was started with a total of 61 of all ranks. During the early part of laat year several members loft owing to removal from tho district and other causes, in fact, at ' one time the strength had drifted perilously"" near the minimum. After the election of • Captain Watt, several old members besides recruits came forward, and the strength, was quickly brought up to 54, with whioh number we finished the year, 52 of whom earned full capitation. Several have been struck off since the cloie of tbe year, but their places have been filled with new men, and the strength at the present time ig 66. The shooting records of the corps for the pjisfc year go to prove that we still posaess eomo sterling shots amongst us. The season was opened by a matoh between teams chosen by tho Matrfi Committoo, which resultad in a win for Private Krnse'g team with a neore of 336, Private Hooker's team 326, and Sergeant Howard's team 318. The clock presented by Corporal Shipwith U now being competed for by those members who are possessed of Martini Henri tiUei, It was also decided to vote the sum of £1 for each competition to be divided into four prizes, so as to give extra interest to the competition. The Council also decided to oiler six more Martini Henris for competi. tion by those members who have not already won ono. The rifles have not yet been obtained, but it is expected they can be procured by the time they are required. In the competition for the medalsiprefented by the Government, the corps showed np remarkably well. Private J. Anderson scored^96 and secured the gold medal for the beif^ shot in the North Island. The boat shotiu the South Island scored 93, so that Private J. Anderson made the highest score for the colony. Private Ohurton scored 89 and tied for second begt shot medal in th« North Island, but was beaten in the lone range total, and had therefore to be content with the medal for best »hot in the district. At the N.Z.R.A. meeting held in Napier tin corps secured further laurels, Private Kruse winning the Champion Belt of the colony, the Union Company's cup besides £72 in cash prizes. Several other of the representatives secured prizes, and in the Teams Matoh oar representatives, consisting of Lieuts. Foster and Hughes Sergeant Remington, Privates Krnseand J. Anderson, won the second prize of £20. Tho corp3 now numbers in its ranks three Champion Belt winners in the persons of Sergt. Remington, Privates Churton and Kruse; the winners of tho gold medal for the .North Island and silver medol for too district in the persons of Privates J. Ander< ion and Ohurton, and when the numerous teams match prizes won by our reps, oro also token into consideration it must be admitted that the shooting records of the corps are second to none in the colony. The Company's belt was again won by Private J. Anderson, which makes his third consecutive win. Sergt. Armstrong was again second. In the volley firing tho corps secured third prize, amounting to £6 18s 6d. The morning appointed for the firing nn-* fortunately turned out very wet, which certainly spoiled the average. The attendance, however, was excellent, one man only beine absent. & The Council now place their resignations i in the hands of the members, wishing the [ corps a prosperous year, and truitin» the same consideration shown to them may be accorded their successors. Signed on behalf of the Council. W. R. nsmmws, Sergeant, Chairman. W.Sodwbm, Colour-Sergeant, Hon. Seo. The statement of accounts as presented by the hon. treasurer (Mr tV. Rodwell) shows the total receipts to be £167 12s 2d inoluding caih in hand, £1 17s 9dj balance in bank, £24 14s 2dj Bundries account,£lo3 15s j shooting account, £20; andanunnniton. account, £17 6s 3d. The expenditure includes sundries acconnt, £44 8i 9A ■ shooting account, £61 5s 9d 5 ammunition ' account, £20 1S 3 6d; uniforms account, r«pairs and new uniforms, £12 3s j leaving a balance in tho Bank of JSevr South Wales of £22 19s 2d. The liabilities aro £29 and the assets (cash) £202 2s Cd,