OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1898, Page 9

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

THE RIFLE BATTALION COLOURS,

The Queen's 'anu regimental colours imported from England for the Auckland Rifle Battalion No. 1 are now in the possession of the Customs Department in Auckland, and will be formally presented as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. A duty of 25 per cent, is levied on the colours, but the volunteer authorities are endeavouring to get this impost waived, lac circumstances being ex-i ceptional. Both colours are presented to the Rifle Battalion by the ladies of Auckland, the cost of the flags ,exclusive of freight, etc., being £5S 16/. The ladies wish the colours presented at v daylight parade of the volunteer force, and Lady Ranfurly is to be asked to make the presentation. Jt is not likely that the presentation will take place just at. preseiit, but the ladies who took the leading part In connection with the collection of subscriptions intend waiting on Lady Ranfurly next week and arranging a suitable date with her. The colours were designed by Lieut.-Colonel Dignan (Hon. Colonel of the Battalion), who was the first to suggest the idea of colours, and who offered to present oue or both if necessary.

The colours are very handsome silk flags, and the battalion should be proud of them. The colours were ordered from Hobson and Sons, of London, and supplied by them from their 'Indian and Colonial Department.'

The regimental colour is a large blue flag- bearing- in the upper inner corner the figure 'I.' and in the other three corners the letters 'N.Z. In the centre is the name of the battalion surrounding the arms of Lord Auckland, after whom this city was named, viz., a mailed fist grasping a sheaf of corn. This is surrounded by a wreath and the whole is surmounted by a crown proper. Underneath the wreath is a white scroll bearing in gold letters the inscription 'New Zealand.' The centre of the flag is in crimson silk, with gold letters and edging. The centre "scroll is gold with black silk letters. The crest in the centre is all gold on black and white. There is a blue and gold fringe, find blue and gold tassels; the colour is also fitted with a pole and a gilt crown. The Queen ss colour is the New Zealand Government flag, blue, with the four stars representing the Southern Cross, and with the Union Jack in the upper inner corner. In the centre of the Jack is the crown, over the motto, 'Auckland Rifle Battalion,' which encloses the Auckland arms. The four stars on the body of the flag are gold, with white edging. There is a gold fringe to the flag, and the pole is surmounted by a gilt crown andlion, while gold tassels depend from the top of the"pole. Both colours are accompanied by colour belts, with the Auckland arms engraved thereon.