THE VOLUNTEERS. GOVERNMENT PARADE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7417, 7 December 1889, Page 6

THE VOLUNTEERS. GOVERNMENT PARADE.

A Government parade of the Garrison Corps was held last night at the Drillahed ground. Major Newall In command. The muster of the several corps reached 368, made up as under:—City Guards, Captain Bishop, Sβ; College Rifles, Captain Harper, 41; Chriatchurch Rifles, Captain Bristove, 57; Iriah Bifles, Captain Whitesldes, 44 ; Scottish Rifles, Captain Campbell, 43 ; Richmond Rifles, Captain Bowron, Sβ; Sydenham Rifles, Captain Anderson, 44; Band, Bandmaster SearelL 21. Majors Newall and Richards were also present. The companies were put through battalion movements, manual, review, firing, and bayonet exercises. ANNIVERSARY DAY. Prior to the termination of the parade, Major Newall addressed a few words to the assembled men. He reminded them that there was to be afield day on the 16th December on perfectly new ground, and it behoved every one that was able to take part in it. Hβ hoped to see a very creditable muster. The £ Battery New Zealand Artillery on Anniversary Day, proceed to Mr Burkes place at Tai Tapu. In the morning firing practice will be gone through upon a range specially selected for the business, and in the afternoon the corps will hold its sports, returning to town in time to dine at the orderly room. The locality selected for the occasion is reported to be a very picturesaue one, reached by a series of country lanes, driving through which ought to be no small pare of the pleasure the proceedings of the day are. expected to afford visitors. THE CITY GUARDS. At the conclusion of last night's parade Capt. Campbell, senior officer, Cape. I Bowron, Capt. Bristow, and Major 1 Francis, assembled in the- City Guards' orderly room. The first mentioned gentleman presented the following petition to i Capt. Bishop:— f j "We, the undersigned, commanding i Companies of the Canterbury Volunteers), baying heard with deep regret that you { i contemplate resigning the command of the Company with which you have so long been connected, desire to earnestly request you to reconsider your decision. From the commencement of your connection wich the Volunteer movement you have always shown a most earnest interest in its progress and .welfare; you have, in common with others, given your time and means freely to further the interests of Volunteering; and now that the system is, so to speak, oa its trial, ail the efforts of those who are its friends are needed to keep it up to the high standard which it has gained in Canterbury. We trust, therefore, that the comradeship which has so long and so pleasantly existed between yourself and us will not be severed, but that you will consent to remain in command of the Company with which you have so long and worthily been associated. —(Signed) Patkick Campbell. Geobue RaRPKB, G. F. WHITESIDES, E. R» ANDKKson, W. H. Bbistow, Moritz Bowbon."

Lieut. Massey then presented the following:—"The officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the Cnristchurch Guards, have heard with the deepest possible regret that you purpose resigning the command of the company ac the end of the present year. Ever since you have, been in command you have evinced an interest, not only in the welfare of the company as a whole, but in that of each individual member of it, and thus nave created amongst as a keen feeling of respect and' esteem such as it would be difficult to describe. In everything which could conduce to our comfort or enjoyment you. have always taken a deep personal interest, and we are indebted to your liberality for many pleasant hours. As an officer you have won the respect and esteem of every man in the company, and your retirement from its command would be felt as- the greatest blow that could possibly -occur. We therefore respectfully beg you to re-consider your decision as to resigning' your command, ana hope that you ' will long remain with those who have learned to admire your conduct as an officer and as a tree friend of those under your command. , ' Captain Bishop replied at some length in very feeling terms. He had never expected to receive such flattering testimonials, and he would give the matter his most earnest consideration before making the officers and his Company acquainted with his decision. He-had intimated his intention of resigning because his business duties were crowding on ■him B*o much that he could not give the time he wished for!.volunteering. It was with feelings of deep regret that he had announced his intention, for he was fond of the service, and had become endeared to it. Private personal inconvenience he would willingly sacrifice to remain with his comrades,, but business engagements compelled him to act as he had done. After the flattering requisition he had received from bis -comrades, he would very carefully reconsider jhis decision/before giving them a definite reply* He hoped he would be able to comply with the request. Three cheers were then given for Captain Bishop, and the proceedings closed.