The Volunteers.

Bruce Herald, Volume X, Issue 912, 8 June 1877, Page 5

The Volunteers.

ACTING-ADJUTANT'S MONTHLY REPORT. The following is the Acting- Adjutant's report for tbe month of May : — Tokomairiro, 31st May, 1877. To Major Jones, No 2 Battalion, Tokomairiro. Sir, — As Acting-Adjutant for this present mouth, I have the honor to inform you that 1 inspected the various companies of the No. 2 Battalion on the dates following, viz. : — On tbe 16th, at Mosgiel, I inspected the Last Taieri Volunteers. Present . 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 2 sergeants, aud 19 privates. With the exception of one rifle, which was rusted from the breech to tbe muzzle, but which, Captain Andrew informed mc, had just been issued from the store, the arms and accoutrements were in good order, and complete. The lieutenants appeared on parp£ c without swords. After the inspectioa the company wrs put through *hv' manual exercise, which was fairly duue. The whole were in uniform tin the 23rd, I inspected the company to which I have the honor to belong— the Bruce Rifles. Present: 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, and 28 privates. Total strength of company, 41. The arms and accoutrements were found to be in fust-class order, and complete. The manual exercise, under Lieutenant Scott, was very steadily done. Captain Pettit then exercised the men in company drill for about an hour, after which he put tbem into, review orcley, «nd gave tbem half-an-hour's bav£qes exercise. Tbe various movements were performed in a highly satisfactory manner. The whole Y'ev£ iv uniform. Oi* the 26th, I inspected the No. 1 Clutha Rifles at their DrUUs£cd, Inch Clutha. Present : 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, and ?Q privates. Total strength of company, 33. Three or four of tbe breeches »f the rifles I found slightly discoloured with rust, and two barrels a httle dirty ; tbe remainder were in iirst-class order. Three of the men appeared on parade without cross belts. After the inspection, the lieutenant put the company through tbe manual exercise, and Captain Pillans through a series of company drill. With the exception of ** wheeliug," the various movements were fairly performed. The whale were In uniform. On ihe 28tb, I inspected the Ko. 2 Clutha Hifles at their Drill-shed, Balclutha, present : 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 2 s-ey-geants, and 18 privates. Total strength, 48. The rifles and accoutrements were in first-class order, and complete. The commanding officer put the men through the manual exercise, and the first lieutenant through a little company* drill. The lieutenant appeared without a sword, and one man in private clothes. Qn the 29th, I inspected tbe West Taieri Company at their Drill-shed Outram. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 2 sergeants, and 17 privates. Total strength, 34. One rifle, which Captain lYespa Jafoxi_e<| we,

mmmrmmmmmwmmwmmmmmmmmmmmmmwmmmmmm had that evening been issued, I found much rusted about the breech, and two others slightly dirty in the barrel; the remainder were in good order. Three menjf attended without bayodets, two without cross belt*, and several in private clothes. I myself proved the company, aod Lieutenant Blatch then put them through the mauual exercise and a little company drill; but I am sorry to say that I cannot report favourably of the manner in which the various movements were performed. In justice to this company, I have to state that I was prevented from holding my inspection upon the usualmonthly parade night (the third Tuesday of the month), as there was no conveyance waiting on the arrival of the train at Greytown to take me to Outram. Captain Iveson stated, on the evening of the 29th, that several of hia mea then present were not aware that an inspection would take place, and that he was unable to acquaint tbem of the fact, as they lived at distances ranging from three to 10 miles from the Drill-sbed. Sergeant Thomson, who waa in attendance on the evening of the 15th, informed me that there were then present on. parade — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, and 28 privates. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, Don. Reid, Sub-Lieutenant Bruce Rifles.