VOLUNTEER AND DEFENCE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 8

VOLUNTEER AND DEFENCE NOTES.

(BY RIFLEMAN.)

The 'VShangarei Kiiies will hre for the Malleustein. trophy on Thursday ot next weeii.

Whangarei volunteers are arranging for a local rine association meeting next enriatmas.

The appoinment of Lieut. W. Kay as of ficei- commanding the tiordoii KiHes- is gazetted.

The time-table for the miniature rille ranges at the Diili iiaii will be issued iv a few days.

A dismounted parade of all divisions oC the Auckland Mounted ltifl.es \vtll be held at the Drill Hail to-morrow evening.

Kobert Bruce McKenzie, late of the Feiiding Mounted Rifles, has been placed.ou. the retired list with the rank of captain.

The promoters of the exhibition contemplated for the No. 1 Artillery (Auckland N avals) met last evening to make preliminiuy arrangements.

Opening of the olticers' club-room on Friday next; No. 2 Natives' social on Friday or next week, and the Auckland Mounted^ , dance on Thursday of next week.

The formation of the Te Puke section of the Tauranga Mounted Kincs into a separate corps has been sanctioned. They will be called the Te Tuke Mounted littles. They will probably go into camp next month.

The No. 2 Natives will fire at Avondale next Saturday for their company's belt, given by Captain Harriett. The No. 1 Natives will fire on Saturday of next wees for Captain Hutton's and Lieut. Murray's prizes.

The Gordon Rifles contemplate holding a church pamde shortly. Next Saturday they meet the Newton Eifles in a football match, and ou some date next month they will fire a ride match with the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Corporals Morey and Woods, of the Gordon Hifles, received their non-coms.' certuicates, gained in the lecent examinations from the hands of Captain Kay on Friday last during parade. They were complimented by the captain and cheered by their comrades.

( The Newton Rifles have been supplied by Cuptain Plugge with , a pair of boxing gloyes ana a set of fencing sticks, watch are available for the members at the mill Hail on lights when the company is not drilling. The boxing gloves appear to be very popular, especially among the youngest members.

The coastguard Artillery have recently started a gymnasium in their orderly-rooms, Devonpoit, ana so tar the classes have bcea iaigely attended. They are fortunate in possessing v good exponent of the Sandow .system of muscle exercising in Sergeant Hansen.who has shown considerable ability as an instructor. The gymnasium is equipped with dumb-bells, clubs, boxing gloves, punching bail, barbells, and rther apparatus. The rooms, however, are not large (•[•(•ugh for the classes, and application has been made for the use of a room in the Auckland Drill Hall, which it is hoped will shortly be sanctioned by the officer commanding the district.

The Coastguard Artillery fired a handicap shooting match ou the- Mount l-;den range last Saturday for two money prizes, the conditions being seven shots sitting and seven shots lying at 200 yards. The prize winners were Corporal Griffiths and Sergt.Mnjor Tester. The principal scorers were Lieut. Gardner 63, Corporal Griffiths 00, Sergeant-Major Tester 58, Gunner Griffiths 55, Bombardier Booker 53, Sergeant Hose 51, Gunner Brady 47. Arrangements are being made for the next shooting day to tire a match of 12 men a-side witn the Newton liifles. :• '

The new olubroom of the officers of the Auckland Garrison Volunteers at the Drill Hall will be ceremoniously opeiiea on Friday evening next, when Lord Kanfurly will probably be present. It had been arranged (iisr: the officers should atteuu in mufti, but in honour of His Excellency's presence it will probably be decided to attend In full dress uniform. A meeting of the officers will be held to consider this and other questions connected with the opening ceremony.

"The Infantry Manual. 1903 (N.Z.)," say 9 General Orders of June 29. "will be adopted by units and companies of all arms (except mounted rides and field artKloiy) of the N.Z. Defence Forces as from Ist July, 3903. The use of all other manuals or publications on similar subjects is withdrawn. All future examinations of officers and non■■•nmniissionetl officers of the arms concerned will be based on this manual, lixtra copies may be obtained from the Government Printer. Wellington, post free, on teceipt of 1/ In stamns."

The time-table and officers for duty on the Government range at Mount Eden during August are as follows:—August 1, Gordons i resident marker). Co. Rifles, Captain Mcllardy: August 5. Lieut. Gardner; August 8, No. 1 Natives (resident marken. No. - Natives, No. ;> Natives. Captain Reed: August 12. Lieut. Davis; August 15, "A" Battery, No. 4 Company Engineers (resident marker). Lieut. Gumming: August 19. Lieut. Ewan: August 22, No. 1 Garrison Artillery, Engineers (resident marker), No. 8 Company Garrison Artillery, Lieut. G. Spinley: August 2C. Lieut. Alurray; August 20, Coastguards, Nowton Rifles, Victoria Rules (resident marker), Captain Skiimer.

Concerning the brief imprisonment of a volunteer at Dunedin who refused to pay a Ine inflicted for absence from parades," the '"Canterbury Times" says:—"Those- who applaud Private Hogg's obstinaie action in the matter have probably never had anything to do with volunteering, nnd, consequently, have little sympathy with the increment. The same class will be found ro p.-gsess no real interest in the colony's DefMne Fcce. Were is possiol" for any of I'rivj'e Hogg's supporters to oecome a volunteer officer, the matter would appear in a different light altogether. A commander of ;i company is responsible for its welfare and the proper conduct of Its financial business. It is quite difficult enough to meet all the expenses of a corps, if all of its members capitate, without any individual member refusing absolutely to earn the Govern* nent grant. Supposing all the members? of Hie Dnnedin Highland Rifles acted as Private Hogg did, what would be the result? No company, ia quick time."