THE VOLUNTEERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10057, 8 June 1898, Page 6

THE VOLUNTEERS.

• The Canterbury Mounted Rifles held a smoke concert last night in their Orderly Boom. There was an excellent muste* of the Company, and Lieutenant* Neave and the Earl of Seafield were both present. The chair was occupied by Major Slater. A large number of visitors were present, including Major Day, Surgeon-Major Irving, Chaplain Bean, Captains Charlewood and Cresswell, and Lieutenants Smith, Louisson, and Finnis. 4mongst the toasts of the evening were those of "The Queen, "The Staff Officers"(coupled with the name of Major Slater), "The Battalion Officers" (coupled with the name of Major Day), and "Past Officers" (coupled with the* name of ex-Sergeant Davie). The musical portion of the programme consisted of songs by Major Day, ex-Bugler Brown, Sergeant Colclough, Sergeant Bersley, Sergeant Hopkins, Gunner Wilson, and "others, and a guitar duet by Troopers Ballen and Hall. During the evening Surgeon-Major Irving presented thirteen marksmen's badges and six service badges. He congratulated the corps on its improvement in marksmanship, which he said compared very favourably with the results obtained in the early days of the troop. The challenge belt was presented to Trooper Tasker, together with a trophy. Corporal Wheeler, \dho was runner-up in the firing competition, Sergeant-Major Berland, who was third, and Trooper Scrimshaw, who was fourth, were also presented with trophies. One of the most interesting events of the evening was the presentation to Trumpeter Chegwin, in his capacity as trumpeter to the troop, of a silver trumpet, given to the corps by. Lieutenant the Earl of Seafield. Replying in the early part of the evening to the toast of "Battalion Officers," Major Day referred to the work done by the Mounted Rifles at the recent field day, and mentioned that at the next field day they would probably have rivals in scouting work in the shape of the Cycle Corps. In replying to tfoe toast of his health, Surgeon-Major Irving spoke of the advantages of extracting a promise from intending members of the Garrison Band to take up ambulance work. He also referred to an historical letter of Nelson's, which was in his possession, arid a framed photograph of which he intended to present to the Mounted Rifles. The Canterbury Engineers paraded last night, when there was a muster of fortyfive men. The examination foi stripes was conducted, but the result will probably be not mads known for a week-. ■ The E Battery also paraded in good strength, and was exeicised in gunnery drill under Sergeant-Major Treleaven.