WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY CORPS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2346, 10 April 1866, Page 5

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY CORPS.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting tto9 held at the Mechanic's Institute last evening for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of forming a Volunteer Artillery Corps in this city. There was a very large attendance, and among those present wo noticed Oapt. Kir wan, Gh Hunter Esq., H. Bethune, Esq., P. A. Buckley Esq., P.A. Krull, Esq., H. S. Harrison, Esq., J. B. George, ', Esq., and E. Pearce, Esq., Mr. Pearco was voted to the chair, and on his taking it, stated that he did not pledge himself to take any active part in the movement ; he simply took the chair for the preservation of order. They knew the object for which the meeting had been called, and lie hoped that all who might . address them would receive due attention. Mr. Krull proposed the following resolution " That it is highly desirable that a Volunteer Artillery Corps should bo formed in this city." Mr. Merchant who seconded the resolution, pointed out the desirability of having such a covpß as was proposed. Situated as Wellington was in one of the most prominent bays of New Zealand, she should be provided with special defences. In case the mother country should go to war with a foreign power the British colonies would be one of the first points of attack. He would suggest that as there were several gentlemen present who had been connected with corps of this kind, they should give their views on the matter. As far as he knew about the movement it was intended to obtain the names of as many gentlemen as they could and leave the minor details to be worked out by an efficient Committee. Mr. Buckley expressed the pleasure he felt in seeing a movement like this set on foot. He wa9 present on the occasion because he had seen his name to an advertisement calling that meeting, but he wished to mention that he had no idea that his namo would have been connected with it. As an old artillerymen he would give the movement every encouragement that he possibly could. Mr. H. S. Harrison said that ho would like to make a few remarks, oven though he wus not a resident in this city ; but as one of the first who took an active part in Volunteering in this Province, he thought his remarks would not be taken amiss. (Hear, hear.) The conviction had now been forced upon them, that they must adopt the policy of self-reliance, and ho therefore thought, that everything in the way of Volunteering should receive the utmost support. They knew not how soon or how suddenly they might be called upon to defend themselves from external enemies, nor how soon all assistance from the mother country might be withdrawn. By forming a corps of this kind, they would not be, as they now wore, a proy to any petty privateer that iloats. What protection had they at present to prevent an armed vessel from coming into the port nnd destroying the town ? (Hear, hear.) They might at present suffer the most terrible disasters from a comparatively trifling force, whereas, were this corps properly formed, they would have the best posaible cL-fenco for their homes. Ho hailed this movement with satisfaction and would be prepared to give it every encouragement in his power. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Standy>ell said that ho regretted that Volunteer movements hnd not received the support that was to have been expected. Volunteers heve never had the status that they should havo had. He was sorry to see that some of the gentlemeu whose names appeared to the advertisement calling the meeting had not come. If every man came forward us he should do to encourage the Volunteer movement they would have a corps, — not necessarily an Artillery Corps, — which would be alike an ornament and a credit to the Empire City. He regretted that he did not come propared to speak with great favor of the formation of an Artillery Corps, in preference to any other, but it was for them to consider the best means of defence. When the volunteer rifle movement had been started in Wellington, the leading men of tho town had not come forward and given either the assistance of their time or money to establish the corps. Ho was glnd to sec that some of their leading merchants wcro present now, for the people had a right to look to them for assistance in movements of ; this kind, and their presence gave it a status which it otherwise wanted. If tho Rifle Volunteer movement had been proporly encouraged they ' would now have 250 in tho corps of this town, in- ; stead of, 25 as at present. He would be reudy lo ussist the movement as far as his means would [ allow. Mr. Kellaway mentioned tho fact of his having 3 been connected with tho Brisbane Artillery in 1 18G2, nnd to tho Victorian Artillery previously to that. Ho alluded to the pleasant times which he . had spent in those corps, and said he would do everything he could te promote, the formation of this corps, and would bo happy to give his f assistance in tho drilling. i The resolution was then put, and carried unani- . moußly. J Mr. Q-eorgo Hunter rose to propose tho second j resolution, winch he said was one only necessary i 1 jto carry out tho first. It was — "Thnt n Comr mittcc be appointed to carry out tho wishes of r the meeting as expressed in the lnst resolution. j The Committee- to consist; of ." The names wero left blank, but ho had no doubt c but that some of those present would suggest them. As to what had been eaid about the volun-

teers of this town, he thought that it was in a great part owing to the volunteers themselves. \ Captain Carkeek for instance, had done everything in his power to keep the movement alive, he had spared no trouble. And in the movement they now proposed they must have efficient officers, who would take the trouble to learn their drill well themselves, and make their men learn it. He then alluded to the want of spirit that had been shown in Wellington in not having even the power to give an ordnance salute to a foreign vessel of war if it should come into the harbor, as they had in other ports of the Colony. He would be glad to see this movement carried out, and if men were determined that it should be successfully brought through, they would succeed by energy and perseverance. He now loft it to the meeting to choose their committee. The names of Messrs. Buckley, Or. Crawford, Krull, Raymond, and Ledger, were then added to the resolution, which was seconded, put, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanka to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.