OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 16 June 1893, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

NEW CAPTAIN FOR "A" BATTERY.

Lieut. O'Brien, who since the resignation of Capt. Geddes, has been the officer commanding the " A " Battery of New Zealand Artillery, was last night unanimously elected by the Company to the position to which he was well entitled—that of captain. Captain O'Brien joined the Battery ten years ago as a gunner, and has since that time in each of the successive offices he has filled conducted hiinsoif with credit to the volunteer uniform. Before putting the nomination— the only ono—to the meeting, Lieut. Lipacombe' asked the nominee to retire from the room, when he referred to the past services of Lieut. O'Brien, and said all the members knew and respected him as a comrade, officer and gentleman, and one in every way worthy to take command of the Battery. (Cheers.) A show of hands was then takon, with the result as above. Captain O'Brien was then recalled, and congratulated by the officers and applauded by the men. He briefly returned thanks for the honour, and assured the Company that he would do his beat to properly fill the offico and to keep the Battery in the front rank in regard to efficiency, and to maintain its position as the premier shooting company of the colony. He felt somewhat timid, but would do his level best. Ho then invited the members of the battery to the Park Hotel. Hon. Capt. Goddes, Capt. Soiners and Lieutenant Kearney were among the guests. The former proposed the health of the new captain, paying in doing so a high tribute to him. Capt. O'Brien suitably responded, and proposed the health of Lieutenant Lipscombe and Dr. Watson, surgeon of the battery. The healths were most enthusiastically drunk.