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Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 175, 26 July 1893, Page 8

Colonel Fox's Report.—An ex-officer criticisos Colonel Fox's reporb. He says the defects iv the Volunteer force here aro chiefly duo to the Government. Ab nearly all Colonel Fox's inspections he appearod fairly satisfied, and ' complimented the officers and mon. Our correspondent is of opinion thab a conference of officers would have resulted in more benefit to the Volunteer force than the importation of an Imperial officer. Mr P. B. Cahill, anOpotiki resident, reviewing Colonel Fox's report remarks :—" I have boen in the colony over thirty years and have watchod tho amalgamation, organisation, ro-organisa-tion and retrenchment of the Force, and I cannob, as a taxpayer, sco the great advautage of Colonel Fox's discipline, or of his predecessor's either. With regard to the boys in blue learning artillery drill, I have seen the English, Irish, New South Wales and Victorian uysbems, and I think thab all thab is necessary for police ia to get setting up drill and simplo formations. Several officers high in the Force havo told me that the amalgamations, etc., have been ruinous to the force. How does he expect bhe police after finishing a month's nighb duby on bhe Auckland asphalb to meot the men whose sole duby throughout the year is to keep their appointments clean, and as the police do nob appear to be too numerous in the large towns how would he provide, say to-day, for a man detailed for artillery duty if he was interested in looking after the visitors to Row's store.' "An Old Veteran" says:-" Surely Colonel Fox does not know that the rule ot this colony iB to give every man who does his duty a testimonial or a purse of sovereigns as a'small token of appreciation.' Police inspectors and honorary secretaries for relief funds committees all share alike. Therefore, why should our soldiers be made the exception to the rule ? I think that the gallant Colonel does nob thoroughly understand our noble defenders, or he. would nob have subjected _ them to such unwarrantnbly severe criticism. 11! the Colonel had witnessed tho battle of __olumarama he would havo formed a very different opinion regarding our volunteers.