CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume II, Issue 42, 1 March 1862, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. An important mooting in connection with the abovo movement was held in the Town Hall, on Saturday last. The meeting, which had been called by tho Resident Magistrate, in compliance with a requisition signed by a large number of influential persons, was very numerously attended, and manifested throughout J the evening a unanimous enthusiasm in f'uvoi* of tho volunteer organization. .John Hall, Ksq , 11.M , was called to the Chair, rind wns received with applause. He opened tho proceedings with sonic explanatory remarks us to tho circumstances under which ho had convened the meeting. The recent disbanding of the volunteers throughout New Zealand, and tho issue of regulation)* for their re-enrolmont, appeared to many persons a proper occasion to bring the claims of that body prominently before the public, and to make it known that if this movement was to provide an efficient corps, it must receive greater support than it had hitherto done. (Menr, hear) These persons believed that wi' had within the province the means of organizing ,\ very respectable defence, and that there was no real indisposition on the part of either tho Government or the people to make them available. It was undeniable that this province, if not the whole colony, was in so utterly defenceless a condition, that an enemy's cruizer, or oven a privateer, could plunder us at its discretion. Twenty-four hours might bring us news of a rupture with the Federal States of America, which would give us but little time to prcpnro for our defence. J (Hear.) It might be a question by whom that defence should be furnished. Great as might be our attachment to tho mother country, and our faith in her power nnd disposition to aid her colonies in any emorgoney, we should Mirely not look altogether to her for protection. He hoped tho colonists would shew thorn 1 selves ready to make sacrifice* for the defence of their lives and properties, ami toach their children by precept and example, that they must thenrn'lve.-* Income tiic defenders of tho hearths and homes of their adopted country. (Cheers.) .We had cow boea

plainly told by the Home Government that this must be so. The report on colonial defences by the late Mr. Godley (to whom Mr Hall alluded in very fueling terms) give expression to the general English feeling on the subject. He (Mr. Hall) trusted that the results of that meeting would be to place the volunteer body in Canterbury on a wider basis both numerically and socially, as well as to add to the rifle corps other arms which were quite as requisite lor our defence. (Hear, hear.) Referring to the advertisement from the Superintendent on the subject of a cavalry corps, he had no doubt that his Honor would be desirous of co-operating with the promoters of that meeting in any general plan for furthering the volunteer movement, and from Mr. Ward he hoped they should learn somewhat of the views of the General Government on the subject. (The Chairman then sat down amid considerable applause.) Mr. Minchin proposed the first resolution, — "That the totally unprotected state of the province calls for immediate steps to be taken for inaugurating an eiiicient system of defence, in order to place the province in a state of greater security." He thought the principle contained in this resolution ■was so generally admitted, as to make it almost a, matter of form. The meeting that night showed what was the 3tate of public feeling on the subject, and he would leave it in the hands of gentlemen who knew more of details, and would be better able to give them the ! information they required. j Mr. Wtlkin seconded the resolution. He considered that there was no want of sympathy with the volunteer movement, but iv this, the youngest of our colonies, men were occupied in a struggle for existence, and had no time for what might appear supernumerary duties. But they must remember that men had higher duties than providing the necessaries of life for their wives and children. It was their duty to defend them from the attacks of enemies who might any day be brought to their shores; and, unless prepared beforehand, they would make but a poor figure when put to the test. On looking round the room ho saw no want of thews and sinews for such work, and was sure that in the course of a week they would see the fruits of their meeting, and feel proud of the work they ■were that evening assembled to undertake. (Applause) His Honor thk Supeiumtendknt, (who was received with loud cheers) said, that he had come down that evening in consequence of having read in one of the local papers a paragraph which charged him with want of sympathy with the volunteer movement. Such a charge he emphatically denied. It would be criminal indifference on his part as Superintendent of the province nob to support to the utmost anything that tended to protect its independence; but it must be remembered that though the government were charged by the constitution with the good of the country, they had no power to levy armies, or direct military movements, and could only give the moral force of their sympathy, which he assured the meeting the volunteers entirely possessed. (Applause.) He quite agreed with the first resolution that the colony was in a defenceless state. There was indeed a fort at Auckland, but that might easily be silenced by any privateer, a thirty-ton schooner with a long torn amid-ships would be sufficient; and in saying this he did not attribute to the community any lack of English spirit, as the assurance of impending danger would prove them to be not wanting in that spirit which had made England respected throughout the world (Cheers); but of appliances of this kind they had none, and of this sort like must bo met with like. The question was, how were they to be met ? A disappointed alarmist was always ridiculous, and doubly so when at the head of a government, but he could assure the meeting that the government were nervously anxious for the next mail, to know what chance there was of finding themselves involved in war. If war was declared, in default of statutory powers, the government would take energetic steps for the defence of the country. (Hear.) He trusted that England might never be estranged from America; war was always a calamity, and war with America would be an especially fearful calamity, but such a war might brOak out, and they must decide, in such an event what measures should be adopted. From the threatened danger they should read a lesson of the necessity of being prepared. His opinion was, that they should at once organize a cavalry and artillery force, that the volunteers of Lyttclton should enroll themselves as a naval brigade,-—such as tho one he had seen in Australia, which iv appointments and discipline would do credit to any state in the world,—and that batteries should be thrown up on such spots as would command the shipping in the harbor. He of course threw out those suggestions as the ideas of an unprofessional man, and with deference to military authorities. The legislature of the province was not now in session, but it was his duty to suggest matters fur its consideration, and he . iuuher had a constitutional right, to sit in judgment on the result of its deliberation*, lie could'uot'say what!. the Provincial Council do, but he was certain I they would willingly cntiT..-;n any measures tor the | defence of the on«ntrv which the Executive mi"ht hy I before th< m, or i would ylad.y appropriate a spffick-jit I sum t- pt'rcha, - anus lar-e auUmal!. (Hear) He I thought himself justified in iiulicntirts; to tins t-xtont the ' inieni-.oi.s of the legislature ?.> .»•■ vciil men uVuliiiJ,,./; O : f'Tirn'. t'cijisi'lv""! •" .> ..-■.. z^.. be w. . ~:.: ~. :.. . .- :

example set by noblemen and gentlemen in England, ami those who could nut take part in the actual soldiering would contribute their share lin money. He was sure they would have numbers jof honorary members. For himself he was not parI ticularly anxious to be shot in defence of his country, but if a necessity arose he would gladly incur any danger, and he was sure the same spirit would be found actuating: every gentleman in the province. A war with America might be fatal to the colony. It was true that the resources of England were immense, but they were spread over a large surface ; we had had an instance of the commodore in these waters j calling all his fleet together to protect the most important points, shewing us that the defence of our ports must be undertaken by ourselves. Property in England was protected at a great expense, and as'in a new country we enjoyed equal advantages, why should we accept those advantages, and charge the old country with the duty of protecting them ? He would uot go the length of saying that the colonies should altogether undertake their own defence ;on the contrary, as England derived great benefits from her colonies, he would require a much larger expenditure from the home government; but whatever they might do, it would be insufficient. He therefore hoped that the Provincial Council would provide liberally for the purchase of guns large and small, and give every encouragement to volunteering under the now regulations, which would place the force on a permanent basis, and form the nucleus of an army which would make New Zealand respected when she'became a groat nation. lie again assured them that they possessed the entire sympathy of the Government, ami that the Executive would urge on the Provincial Council the necessity of at once providing funds for placing the defences of the country in a satisfactory condition. (Loud cheers.) Mr. J. Bis a ley proposed the second resolution, — "That the most important practical stop to he taken fur this purpose ia to place the volunteer force on v i»emi;uient and efficient footing, under the amended regulations - and that such consists of cavalry, artillery, and rinW The volunteer force was now to be placed on a permanent footing, for whereas formerly a man enlisted only for a year, he would in future do so without limit to his term of service, though with provision for his retiring when he wished. The improvement must be obvious to all, for, as it was not now raonly a question of reviews in Hngloy Park, but there was a serious and solemn chance of war, their views must ue directed towards making the volunteer force amatcri,:! military power. Referring to the second part of the resolution, it at first appeared a high-handed measure to abolish the force at onco; but, looking to the changes introduced in its constitution and the liberal terms offered, ho thought it must be allowed to bo an alteration for the better, j One most important regulation was that relating to pensions, which was very favorable, for it. would he seen that a non-commissioned officer of volunteers was to rank with an ensign in her Majesty's service. Such liberality was more than he could have expected, and far greater than was experienced by the volunteers in Tarauaki, who complained much of the invidious distinction made between themselves and the rcuilar forces. He agreed with his Honor in recommending that the force should be divided into cavalry, and riflemen, and that a division of each should be embodied. A gentleman who has been an officer in one of the European armies, had told him, that the best mode of defence against privateers would be to place one or two heavy guns on tha rocks at the entrance of the harbour; this plan would no doubt be submitted to the military authorities, and if that view was adopted, it would be absolutely necessary that some of the volunteers should be trained as artillerymen, as without men guns would be of no use at all , the same men might also work moveablo batteries on the plains. For cavalry no better place could be found, certainly no other part of the colony offered such advantages for the use of this arm, of the importance of which all were well aware. A charge of cavalry would soon sweep these plains of any foe. The Rifles were already favorites, and were proposed to be continued on a permanent basis and under improved regulations, the acceptance of which was the main point of the resolution ho proposed. Mr. CROBBIE Ward (who was loudly cheered) said that as a volunteer from the commencement of the corps, one who had taken an active share in promoting the movement, and who was, when at home, exposed to hear the Grst brunt of danger, and would not he trusted be backward in doing his duty, he came forward to address the meeting, begging them to remember that, though he had the honor of being a member of the General Government, in Canterbury he was a Canterbury man. (Cheers.) He believed this to be a meeting o f the public of Canterbury, or be should have been dfffident of coming forward, but he claimed to be heard on j behalf of the body of Lyttelton volunteers part of the! corps whose boast it was that they were ready to help than- country in the hour of need." The object of this meeting was definitely to re-organize the volunteer! movement, which had been brought to an end by the' failure of the system, and partly also by the act Jf the ■' General Government. For the first there wjm but i this remedy, that all persons ivosmizo the necessity of' volunteers ;of the second he was i |, m . to oli'er exnlana--!is. ' Hear.) The Genera! Government had t .!>,••, i , ..

J that under the present system the m OV(?1 ~ J workup well, but yet gave sufficient n ro ..' *'?* n "' i any real exigencies of the colon v a <or r .- at '" i would be far preferable to a corps of nVilit■/ n ' Ccr > \ Volunteers,however,could not be compile It ar - , j one set of regulations to another, b,u im[ m^' 011 ' I option allowed them to volunteer or not v tl tb ° I under the new system, and this could onlVl ? c!l ° St ! disbanding the corps, by which act theret< b . v ! was cast upon either officers or men as it™™ "° slur jmoro than a recognition of their* Vi<>h t f n ? t,,iß ? i whether they chose to serve or no. Tlie j * j tioii3 gave many privileges not enjoyed ; was that while by ~,akin S the force v perma!*» * ;thoy took away its mushrooni-lik, chml ae > I whereas a man at present, ( > m -e enrolled codi ,et ; got Ins discharge for that year, he would in {£ f ■able at any tune, on reasonable cause shown . ' I to obtain his discharge, and be entiivlv ~ '* l Ollc,i I his oath. Another advantage was Slat h^ ,01 tf i volunteer was exempted from the militia a ; service, but m future, afierfuur vears'service \I ?! ! be tor the rest of his life exempt from Ule . duty of training and exercising as a militia man I the Government believed that no man, after W ! service as a volunteer could be supposed to be j£? j ant of Ins oruinary drill. The next advauta,, f ; delinite one and easily understood, viz., a vote%ear h year for the pecuniary support of the corps.' Mi,/! men who woulJ, could not serve their country as ? ! expenses of purchasing ammunition, unifonuMar*? &c, might be rendered so heavy, that even lon- £,' I ses laded to support them. Koine amount of as&iU would always be necessary ; ifc was sufficient thai men should give their time and personal risk to the «ervic* I of their country without encumbering them vith J liabilities which they could notaflbrd (Heur.)TlieGovern ; ment, recognizing this, bad allowed a sum of morn-y ; towards defraying the necessary expenses of each coiii > pany, which, with whatever additions might be made j by the Provincial Governments, would form an j amount not to be disregarded, and which midit well ! support any company that might in future be enrolled J These details lay at. the bottom of the movement' I he would notthen speak of its higher objects, but would only express a hope that the whole public would enroll themselves, and be not only ready to place themselves between an enemy and their wives and children and property in time of need (any one would do that), but in time of peace take pains to u.akc themselves n't for duty, that, if danger should come, they might be not only willing, but useful. These resolutions encouraged the arduous labors of volunteers. The time ho trusted would never come that should see England engaged with that powerful nation with which war was prophesied, yet all must allow its possibility, or if not with that nation, yet with others still more ready for it. Ho had every respect, fur an opinion entertained by the eminent author of the report ou colonial defences, but considered the principles laid down in that report unjustifiable, anil that, if they were adopted, the home government would be imposing on pocr and thinly populated countries a liability which it would be impossible for them to meet. He put it to them as Englishmen, whether when a choice was given (aswas the case last year) cither of undertaking crushing liabilities, or of abandoning a country to savage tribes to waste and ravage, and drive its inhabitants, our i'ellowcountrymeri,intothe sea, whether that was worthy of great nation; and that was what Mr. Godley's opinions must lead to. It was the duty of the empire to defend this colony from foes within and foes without, and, despite men who theorize and argue on foolscap, Great Britain would never leave this country defenceI less against American or Maori, but would send her ships in spite of commodores, and compel her generals to do their duty, whether the colony could pay the expenses or not. (Cheers.) That would be the view taken by the British Government, but only with honor toourselves so long as we did our duty as citizens of tbe empire. lie saw present some of the Lyttelton volunteers, and could state that they were all willing to re-organize themselves as part of a corps-who would be an honor to their country, and trusted that the same spirit pervaded the whole of Canterbury, that they were all ready lo do their duty, whatever tbat duty might be. (the lion, gentleman sat down amid loud applause.) The resolution was put by the chairman, and carried unanimously. Mr. .1. Blakiston proposed the third resolution,— "That, this meeting tin- importance of tsie ,l' rl "' ciple that the inhabitants of the' colony shoulil assist u» "<■ intmial defence, agree to aflonl all the help and «» coura | v meat in their power to the volunteer movement, «ther joining the ranks us active nicmliers, or contributing p*u> Uil J assistance, as honorary members." He briefly alluded to the fact that necessarily put to heavy expenses, and called on who could not take an active part in the ruoveme to assist it. by joining as honorary members. Yen. O. Matuias seconded the resolution. -° persons might think it anomalous for a interfere in military mattrrs, bat though he t>° ' commission far higher than .my earthly monarch co bestow, he did not find himself fbrhiiMen »>y ■ Gosnel to rise in deiVix-:- of bis home and coun . Mc h:w once *eon *oirM}tm;i'-• ' Lt ' ,i, ; ., !i" '■•■ ■■'.-. . ' . : "■".,

. toward* women and children would join heartily ■ al lit prayer. He trusted that all who could not •"• 'the ranks would contribute liberally. ■'"tlmj resolution was put to the meeting, and carried. m. Tuavehs proposed the fourth resolution,— • Tl it. fr«'in the fact of a supply of arms ami ammunition Ir wiy ' n the province, no time should be lost in eiuleakin;,' 11 L ' •. aiitiicLent number of volunteers to form rive v.iunug to r.w»p ■ ~ ~m ll> ;uues of nil^ was ft very recent settler in Canterbury, but might h xcused ior coming forward on this occasion, as 1 iiia entirely identified with the volunteer movement, . e u |iavinff commanded a company in the Taranaki var Heliad watched the progress of the movement, aid the causes that impeded that progress. Men •'oined at first with great enthusiasm, being led to helieve that after eifrctiug their organization they fl-ould have the means of rendering themselves efficient, w i were greatlyjdisappointcd to find that, after having devoted themselves to the work with the greatest encrT, they did not receive a single weapon ; for rotlwrW could be more distasteful than for men to suliieet'themselves to the shackles of drill, without the rirovuient arisiug fi'om the possession of arms and practice. It was of no use attempting to organize themselves unless Government would provide arms, lie could not say what the strength of each company niWit be. but, supposing it to be composed of seventylive or eighty men, there were not enough rifles in the province-*to supply the wants of one company. [Mr. Guinness: There are 150 stand of arms.] There were sufficient then to arm two out of the five companies, and it hod always been found that great difficulty arose iv distributing them, as those men who did not possess arms were on a very different footing from those who did; and it became impossible to carry out any organization unless all the men composing a company were armed alike. From the speeches delivered that evening, they might gather that the Government would be ready to give material encouragement to a movement which themselves were originating, and he hoped they would see that it was their duty to weed out from that movement all that contained" the seeds of dissolution, and impart to it all that life and spirit without which it was impossible for it to succeed. (Cheers ) Mr. C. Oluvier seconded the resolution. lie could fully corroborate the remarks of the previous speaker, the correctness of which was shown by the numbers attending parade, which was always in proportion to the number of rities, aud never once exceeded that. Mr. Wakefield proposed as an amendment, the addition of the words " and three troops of cavalry ;" pledging himself, if his amendment were adopted, to maintain a horse fully equipped for each troop at his own expense; but the amendment was not seconded, and the original resolution was put and carried unanimously. Mr. Oluvier proposed the next resolution, — "That liia Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to take the necessary stejw, in concurrence with the (ieneral Government, for obtaining from the Imperial Government (by purchase if mjuiml) the necessary guns for the armament of batteries for the defence of the ports of the province ; and this meeting earnestly trusts that the Provincial Government will afford to the volunteer force-such further recognition and assistance as may secure to that institution a permanent; and efficient footing." He was happy to inform the meeting that he held in his hand a letter from the Deputy-Adjutant-General, who, after treating of the formation of the corps, went on to say "when the numbers have been ascertained sufficient arms will bo. forwarded to arm them all." They therefore need be under no anxiety on this as they had a distinct assurance that when five companies were enrolled they would all be efficiently armed. The resolution appealed to the Provincial Government for support. ISiow a bill was carried unanimously through the Provincial Council last session, providing that, when, thirty men were enrolled, the Government should give them pecuniary assistance to the extent ef thirty shillings a man, to defray the necessary expenses encurred in attending the drills of the <;oin|muy; and this, it must he understood, was in addition to the twenty-five shillings per man offered by the General Government. This, he thought, was ii■ fair and reasonable sum. After many exertions for iliecstablishmentofa volunteer force, some of which had hilled, and others issued in something like a successful result, they had met ngniu tbar. evening fully impressed M »th the necessity ot bestirring themselves tor the of their hearths and homes, liven if tiie "Ughsli troops were withdrawn were they to do nothing for tho protection of a country they called t»eir own ? That would be too un-English for the wen of Canterbury. In Victoria £15,000 or £IG,OOO •'• par ] a j ] Jcon c | iar g e( j on t j l(3 revenuo o f th e colouy or the support of the volunteers, and were we in this U {l c ot " cw Zealand, just beginning to be jalkeO of in Victoria as an agreeable place of residence, 0 be the last to urge on our government to follow »cir example, aud make our volunteers the boast of province, and a credit to us in the eyes of the K 'iorians who might come to reside among us ? Nor *;"■■£ vre suppose we hud done all our duty in ourselves ln g the movement; in England the greatest to it had come ircm English women, jj' J}' )n , ,MC V€ ' r y highest iv the land had come upon will' anf * l )reseillt 'd colors to the corps. lie '' ulu r <'coimm-ud the volunteers of Canterbury to

pursuade the ladies to bring them colors, worked by their own fair fingers, and where would be the enemy that would dare to take those colors from them ? So | loii£ as tho old English spirit was burning withiu i them there was not a, man but would stand to his colors, and defend them as long as a. drop of blood flowed in his veins. (Cheers.) Mr. Turner seconded the resolution. He for one was rejoiced to hear Mr. Ward speak out so clearly and strongly on the iniquitous proposal that this colony should bear the heavy expenses of the New Zealand war; he had no doubt that the report in which it was recommended that the colonies should be left to defend themselves, had had a depressing effect on the New Zealand loan debentures. He agreed with Mr. Ollivier that it was most desirable to get the ladies interested in the movement, and thought the best way to do that was to provide an efficient band to play on parade. He thought, too, that one afternoon in the week should be set, aside as a parade day and general j holiday, and hoped that all those employed in busiuess would take this up, and obtain from their employers an afternoon weekly, which if masters would not give they should go to the Council, and obtain the means of enforcing - it. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. Harston proposed the next resolution, — "That understanding that his Honor the Suporintvndont had initiated the formation of a volunteer cavalry corp? tho uioetmy desire* cordially to co-operate with him in the movement. ,. He considered it absolutely necessary that the province should possess all three arms of the service—horse, foot and artillery. It was indeed not suitable to all to keep horses, hut to those who could, he would by all means say, do it. After all he had read of the honors of war, he earnestly prayed that a privateer might never enter Lyttelton harbour; it was frightful to think what would ensue if 21)0 sailors, mad with drink, were let loose upon the country, to do whatever they chose. Now, 400 or 500 well-armed voluuteers would soon show them the way out; and moreover the existence of a volunteer force would make this difference, that knowing them to be well prepared, no such enemy would venture to. attack them. Mr. Wakefield seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. J Mr. Haiiman proposed the next resolution,-— i "That a Committee he appointed for the purpose of giving J effect to the foregoing regulations, and of taking euch other steps as may appear necessary to further the volunteer move- \ incut generally; and that said committee shall consist of the following gentlemen.—Messrs. J. E. FitzGerald, John Hall, John Ollivier, F. Banks, J. Cracroft Wilson, W. L. Travers, It. J. Harman, with power to add to their numbers." He had kept aloof hitherto from the volunleer movement, partly because he could not realize the fact that the colony was exposed to danger, but more because of the careless manner in which the volunteers carried on their work. A man could not even learn to play cricket without " grindiug," and it was the same with volunteering; for no effectual machinery could exist for learning their work thoroughly while men could escape from it by merely paying a fine. Now, however, circumstances had altered; war was staring us in the face, and he had no right to stand idly by, and leave it to others to defend his wife and children and property Mr. Wakrfibld seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. His Honor the Superintendent called on the meeting to join him in the following resolution, — " That the thanks of tho inhabitants of the province are due to the officers and men of the volunteer corps in the province just disbanded." He took this opportunity of explaining that his attempt to initiate a corps of yeomanry cavalry was not intended in the slightest degree as an act of* rivalry with the volunteer movement; the fact was that when he sent that advertisement to the papers he did not know that thif meeting was in contemplation. This resolution was seconded by the Venerable Archdeacon Mathias, and carried unanimous') , . A vote of thanks to the Chairman for his able conduct in the Chair was then proposed by his Honor and seconded by Mr. Ollivier, and with this the proceedings of the evening terminated.

PißLic Mef.tino : (Jhristciu-rch Mlnicii'AL Couxcil.— A meeting, as advertized, took place on Thursday evening, for the purple of electing nine iivciiibern for the first Municipal j Council. The meeting was oven more numerously attended than that on Saturday, tin; Town Flail being crowded. Alter a few observations from the Chairman, J. Hall, Esq., K.M., on the importance of the matter for which the electors had been invited to meet, he intimated that he was reifdy to receive the names of candidates. Twenty-six gentlemen were proposed and seconded, four of whom declined to serve, naiiu'ly, Messrs. Ollivier, C. IF. Bishop, K. J. S. Harman, .and F. Jenkins, all of whom, in stating their reasons for so doing, acknowledged the intended compliment. The Chairman then called upon the remaining candidates who might wish to do so to address the electors. Each candidate stated his views, amidst more or less applause, though it must be owned that the four gentlemen, Messrs. Barrett, Bennetts, ll'. M'ilson, and Stringer,— who professed their entire disapprobation of the measure, on the ground, principally, of its being premature--met with the best reception : each of them, while professing his willingness to s»-rve, denouncing the scheme in the very strongest terms. A show of hands was then taken, which the Chairman declared to be in favor of Messrs. Anderson, Barrett, Barnard, Ber.wtts, (!on!d, Hall, Miles, ileete, and M'il?.in. A poll was demanded for those in the minority; v,lit it thi- Chairman stated that, in pursuance of the usual custom, the election would take place in the Kesident Magistrates' ollice uu the following day. The proceeding.-* ter-

minated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried with acclamation. It may bo remarked that, considering the strong opinions entertained as to the desirability of the undertaking, the proceedings were conducted with the greatest good humour. Of course there was the usual amount of badinage, vulgo 'chaff,' which to do those who addressed the meeting justice, was received with commendable patience. A stranger, indeed, Mould have been somewhat puzzled to find a meaning for the terms with which some of the candidates were greeted ; but they seemed to be thoroughly understood and appreciated by the persons present. One feature of the meeting was the bringing to light the remarkable fact that there are only live members of the legion of Smiths on the electoral roll.—Tho result of the j>oll yesterday was the return of the following nine members:— John Hall ... 154 Edward Recce ... 89 .John Anderson 1M John Barrett ... 88 (Jnwvenor Milca 119 Herbert Edwd. A lport 80 Hilham H'ilson 100 Ueorge Gould ... 78 II m. David Barnard 9S Of the unsuccessful candidates. Mr. Bennetts polled Cf>, and the other twelve decreasing from that number to four, which was the lowest. Early Closing Movement.—Those who nre interested in the early closing and half holiday scheme will bo glad to be informed that a dosire has been expressed by some o< the banking und other firms in Otago to give in their adhesion to any practicable method by which it can be brought into operation. We understand that the only interruption anticipated will occur on those days when the arriv.il or departure of mails takes place. It will be seen, therefore, that the introduction of the system, the merit of which is due to the drapers of ibis province, is ! gradual} , producing results, both here and in other parts of New Zealand: for, if we are correctly informed, some observations on the subject which fell from one of the speakets nt the Town Hall on Saturday last, may probably be acted on. Thnt gentleman, who occupies a responsible position in one of the banks, remarked —and facts bear him out— that one of the chief elements of popu. lari'y in the volunteering movement in Knglaud was its identification with the l ;Uminy Imlf holiday ; and he stated his conviction thnt if the idea wexe acted on here, a like result would follow. During the present week the matter ha* been discussed by the i heads of some of the leading firms, who have signified their willingness, if a convenient day be fixed, practically to forward the measure by giviag those whom they employ a half day weekly. It must be obvious, however, that occasions will arise when the 11 ule cannot be carried cut: but it only remains for merchants and others and those whom they employ mutually to ninke an arrangement when such deviation is necessary; this is the secret of the success of the half holiday movement in F.ngland : and it needs no argument to show that it is equally practicable here. There is one difficulty, however, winch it would not be fair to employers to pass over without comment: namely, that the system of day work being the rule here, the tax upon those whose business requires a large number of assistants would operate very injuriously, and in a corresponding decree upon all: in such cases v good understanding can only be produced by mutual concessions. That such will tc the case we hope and confidently believe. Wednesday, being tho day on which the Voluuteers will most probably parade, has been named as one likely to suit general convenience; for our own parts, however, we confess to a leaning in favor of Saturday ; inasmuch as, among other reasons, it will leave twenty or thirty disciples of l ; austus, professors of the ' black art, , at liberty to add their strength to the ranks of the Volunteers: a circumstance, we submit with all dittidencc, which it would be well to take into account. CANTERBURY HIKLKM, (OIIRISTOHUKCH COMPANIES*).-—On the evening of the i9fch inst, n squad assembled at Papauui fur target practice. The evening was line, but thero was a light wind which perhaps accounts for the shooting boing so inferior. Tho powder used too was damaged Of 5 rounds each at 100 yards, the highest scoro was 10, and tho percentage of points made to allots fired was but 108. Of 5 rounds at 200 yards, the highest score was 4, and the percentage of points 27. A manifest improvement, however, was visible in the practice last Wednesday evening. The highest scoro at 100 yards was 11, and the percentage of points to shots fired was 139. At 200 yards tho Vet score was 10, tho percentage was 02. Two rounds each were then fired at 300 yards, but by this time it was so dark that the target was scarcely visible. The per-centage, nevertheless, of points to shots was CO. The parade on this occasion also was damp. It is much to be desired that those responsible for the care of the ammunition should remember Cromwell's advice. During the week 20 new members were enrolled, making the strength of the first j company in all 36. Sijuad drill w boing actively earned on for the benefit of the recruits in the evenings in front of the Government Buildiuga. Intending members should join without delay as the election of officers is to take placo on Wednesday evening next, the sth inst, and it is desirable the election shoule not bo left in the hands of 40 or 50 persons. We have been favoured with the numbers enrolled up to the time of going to prens : Rifles, .')6; artillery, 2.