THE DEFENCE MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 245, 15 October 1889, Page 5

THE DEFENCE MINISTER.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND.

The Hon. T. Fergus, Defence Minister for the colony, arrived in Auckland yesterday by train, having journeyed overland from Napier. The journey from Napier to Taupo, a distance of 100 miles, was done in one day, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., by special coach. The coach and horses were the property of Messrs Crowther and McOauiay, the mail contractors. Mr Fergus is accompanied by Colonel Humphrey, Under-Secretary for Defence, Lieutenant-Colonel Hume, Inspector of Volunteers, and Mr Bell, Engineer for Defence and Public Buildings. The Sanatorium was inspected in order to gain information necessary for the erection of new buildings to replace the old one burnt down some time ago, for which a vote has been placed on the estimates. Mr Fergus was well pleased with the work being done at the Sanatorium, and enjoyed his stay there very much, short as it was. Mr Fergus, on the way to Oxford, inspected the section of the Rotorua railway in course of construction next the Lake. A special train yesterday morning conveyed the party from Oxford to Morrinsvillo where they caught the down train for Auckland, arriving here yesterday afternoon.

. The principal object of the Minister's visit is to receive General Edwardß, who is expected by the Hauroto. The length of hib stay in Auckland and the arrangements will depend very greatly on General Edwards. It is probable that some experiments will be made with Whitney and Co.'s ammunition at the Mount Eden Range ; and with the new Maxim gun purchased by the Government. If the experiments with the latter ate successful eight of these guns will be purchased for distribution throughout the colony. - VOLUNTEER DEPUTATION.

A deputation consisting of the following volunteer officers of the city this morning waited on the Hon. Mr Fergus :— Captains Kohn, Leahy, James, Parker and Lieut. Dacre. The object of the deputation was to bring certain matters connected with the welfare of the volunteer movement before the Minister.

The first subject broached was the steps to be taken to excite greater interest among our young in volunteering. The deputation suggested "payment by results " instead of the present system, which actually asks men to pay for the privilege of being volunteers. It was submitted that the proper plan was to pay men a certain sum for each drill that they attended, and to pay the money to the men individually instead of to the corps' fund.

Captain Kohn said that some inducement must be held out to our young men to join. There seems at present no imminent need of men to fight without some incentive, such as the presence of danger or fair pay; men were disinclined to give the time necessary.

These remarks were supported by others of the deputation.

The Minister stated that he would give the suggestions of the deputation his consideration.

Anothor subject introduced by the deputation was the distribution of prize money. It was recommended that a return should be made to the old system, by which each corps got a certain amount of money, to be fired for by the members of thaKcorps. By the present system one corps gets most of the money, and the others are left out in the cold, and the men get disheartened. Mr Fergus promised to look into this matter also.