VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1900, Page 8

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

h THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

Messrs "W. J. Xarpier and George Fowlds, M.H.E. JS,. to-day forwarded the following telegram to Wellington in regard to the Easter encampment of the volunteer forces: "The Honourable the Minister of Defence, Wellington, —A general feeling exists; here that the Easter encampment of the local forces should be made of r§al ■utility and not a mere spectacle. This can be done by extending- the camp for one week, thus.enabling field man : peuvres to be carried out over ground likely to be traversed by ah enemy, such as" t^rritoiy between Waiwera and' Auckland. The men are unable ,£<£.leav,e ( .their wo.rk, f oi;_ a \y.hple week eonti'nuqijsry without p^ial payment. .They are willing to go out from.Thursday .night before Easter to Thursday niglit after Easter for four days pay —-that is to say. one pound per man for whole period. Great public and 7pilitary benefits would flow from "training,,and v.c understand the. proposal is, approved by the Commander of the.' Forces and Colonel Banks. Strongly urge you to agree to this. If not,] camp cm only be held Friday till iMonday, and will be of little benefii.— ;(Signe"d) W. J. JN'APIEE; GEOEGE FOWLDS."

The annual meeting of tlie Auckland. Rifles was ; held on' Thursday night. !The"usual business was gone through; great enthusiasm was shown, and eleven new members were elected. Capt. Caughey thanked the members for the attention they had given to ■their duties, and the efficiency the;* have attained; he has also given four trophies to be competed for by the Company, at the rifle range, to give more encouragement to shooting. Owing to several members being compelled to resign, it has been found necessary to recruit from other than employees of the firm (Smith and Caughey)! but with' Captain Canghey in coommand they should have ijo difficulty in keeping np to their full strength. The hour for drill has been altered to Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. ;