Volunteer Notes

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3016, 29 November 1898, Page 2

Volunteer Notes

Bir Dum-Dom. . The weekly parade of the Brace Rifles wag held last Wednesday evening when there was «* slightly improved attendance, the parade state ] showing one captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 j sergeautp, and 21 rank and file. After inspection: by: the Captai- the-Oompany-marched up the road as an advanced qaard, and then proceeded to the j Bepieafcififci^ou^ fal hoar was spent in extended com- j pany drill, and ia the preliminary stages of the attack formation. The Company returned to the drillshed as a rear-gaard and was then dismissed. The next parade of the corps will 1 take place to-morrow evening, when it is hoped that the muster will again show an improvement. At the parade oq Wednesday, 16th November, black ammuition pouches were served to the men in lieu of the white poucheß which they have worn for the past few years. The Defence Department is evidently making every effort to get rid of the accumulated stock of the past 30 or 40 years, as a short time ago they served out to the officers revolvers of an antique pattern, accompanied by ammunition made almost 20 years ago, while they now distribute pouches which were probably called in after the last Maori war. The local " Tommies " will, however, have one piece less of accoutrement to pipeclay, if they have not at the same time to put extra pipeclay on their belts which are likely to be soiled from contact with the new pouch. It seems a pity that the authorities canno: supply the "Volunteers Satu Brown belts and pouches of much the sacue pattern as are supplied to the officers. A great deal of labor in cleaning wou'd be saved the men, while the cost should not be greater than that of the present belt?, and the appearauce of the blue tunics so often covered with pipeclay from the belts, be much improved. The new range is all but finished and ready for shooting on. Trenches are being cut, and an embankment put up, and clase firiug began on Saturday afternoon, with Lieut; Johnston e in charge of the first sq lad. Those who did not go through on Saturday afternoon or Monday morning will have an opportunity of doing so on Wednesday afternoon, under Col.-Sergt. Lockhart. Class firing must be got through by Saturday, 3rd December, before the Company goes into camp. Recruits are still coming forward I very slowly, and only one member per week seems to be the average. DumDum would suggest that the Company offer a substantial prize to that member of the corps who, during the first half of the coming year, secures the greatest number of recruitß of a good class for the Company. The money thu3 spent would be more than repaid by the increased capitation money earned, and the prospect of a substantial return would no doubt stir up considerable rivalry among the men to secure as many recruits as possible for the corps. With respect to this question of recruiting the corps and securing regular attendance, it is sometimes complained that there are too few attractions in connection with the volunteer corps. Apart from the discipline undergone, the setting up of the raw recruit and the learning to shoot straight, to handle one's weapon, to defend one's self and poseibly one's home and country, which are surely advantages sufficient in tbßmselves to induce one to join a company, there are many other advantages, social and otherwise, the gaining of which depends solely on the Bruce Rifles themselves. It is not too much to say that, if the roll of the Company were to increase say, by the end of February or March to 63, with the prospect of a good muster every drill night, a new and subHtantirtl drill hall with orderly rooms, gymnastic apparatus, &c , would be erected before the winter was half over. The sociability of the Company would then be promoted by occasional card parties, cribbage tournaments, Morristube matches, &c, ambulance lectures would be arranged and regular inatru tion in gymnastics would be given. These are advantages as great as can be got by any company in Dunedin or the other large towns, and it rests solely with the Company and tbeir friends to say whether they should be got or not during next year. The present hall is of course too small by far, and there is no doubt that it has militated against the good attendance, and consequently against the success of the Company. But enough of recruits and attendance. The gourmands of the corps '— a very large majority — will be delighted to learn that the whole Company will mess together in camp, and that an experienced 000k will be procured who will supply a good and substantial breakfast and tea to all in camp. The hungry ones will no doubt linger a little longer with us during this camp. The Qamp, as mentioned before, will begin on Saturday December 3rd and last till the following S-iturday. It will be held as usual in M'Gill'a paddock. Sergeant Maj >r Kibblewhite will be present during the camp as Instructor and Colonel Webb is to be present during part of the week. Settled weather may surely be now expected and with a good master the camp should be very successful. Constable Macßae informs me that he is making good prqgress with the ftPQjmßnt pf the Mjliti* ggd, thgt tfee

roll is now half completed. There seems to be dq backwardness on part of. the militiamen in; coming forward, aa in parts of tbe district, those eligible to serve waited on the Constable .of their own free will to give the necessary particulars. In this connection the'Taieri Advocate' which may be trusted to be "ia the know " pays that the Government are in real earnest overthiß matter andthat tbe first-class-militia i* to be called oat, enrolled in companies- and to be regularly drilled .by_.the, v .GQ3Kernnient... InJitrucJoriL And. tfle Volunteer officers. For uniform tb ey will ia the meantime be provided w ith forage caps and rough grey shirts such as wera worn by soldiers in tb,s Ajtnerican Civil War. These ahirtshave the tails cut of and by means of a running tape are made to fit like a jujmper, while the cut-off tails when seiwn up make excellent pockets. Uintil proper weapons are procured the Militia will be provided with dummy rijles. All militiamen will be medically examined and those palpably:unfitted for service will be rejected and tfa(Q remainder will ba enrolled and have to drill at regular intervals. This is: certainly an inviting prospect and the best of the Milton militiamen can easily avoid it by joining the Bruce Rifles.