VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XII, Issue 626, 8 November 1881, Page 3

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

A special parade of the Cromwell Rifles was held on Wednesday evening to consider a circular received through the District Adjutant, enquiring what number of men in the company was prepared to offer for active service should occasion require. There were present all the officers and a good muster in the ranks. Capt. Brown read the telegram received and addressed the men. He said there was a probability that their services would not be required, but they had a right to assume that they would be called upon, and therefore it was desirable that only those who were in earnest should respond. On putting the question to the company, the whole signified their readiness to go North. It may he mentioned that considerable enthusiasm was evinced throughout the proceedings. On Thursday morning, Captain Brown telegraphed direct to Colonel Header, Defence Office, that the company placed its services at the disposal of Government, and intimated the same to the Adjutant of the District. In the evening, the following telegram was received from Wellington, and posted for information of the corps Captain Brown, Cromwell. Instructed to convey thanks of Government to officers and men of your corps for offer of services, which will ho duty noted. At present no more men are wanted for West Coast. H E. Reader. On Thursday morning the subjoined telegrams were received from Major Finn and Adjutant Barlow, respectively. Although somewhat sensational in their terms, these messages were overshadowed by that from the Defence Office. They ran as under ; Captain Brown, Cromwell Rifles. Have everything in readiness to muster your company, as their services may ho required immediately. Will communicate further on Monday probably. John Barlow, Adjutant. I am directed to convey to you anil the members of your corps, the thanks of Government for the offer of your services to the front. Probably service! will not bo required, but everything should be in readiness for any emergency. Ample time tor transit to Queenstown will be allowed, and from there to Opunake the journey can bo made under 40 hours. The moment Government intimate that your services are required I will communicate with you, 11. J. Finn, Major. Last night, Major Finn wired from Gisborne as follows .• —“Inconsequence of the arrest of Native leaders and Parihaka being taken, Government will not require further assistance.” So that, for the present at least, the martial ardour of our citizen soldiers will not find an outlet in actual warfare. The spirit evinced by the Volunteers throughout the Colony on this occasion has boon such, howeVor, as to conclusively show that should occasion arise they will not prove the empty show a good number of people have put them down fur. To-morrow a bloodless, hut none the less cagcriy-oontcstcd, victory will fall to the arms

of one of the throe Lake companies. At Arrow the final contest fur the handsome and valuable District Cup will take place, and the result is looked forward to with considerable interest, not alone by Volunteers but also by civilians in Queenstown, Arrow and Cromwell. The competing teams have been in steady practice for some time back and some "tall” scoring has bten made, especially by the Queenstown men, who are looked upon as the most likely winners. The distances are 200 (8-in. bull’s-eye) 400 and 500 yards, seven shots at each ranjje. Eight men from each company compote. The Cromwell team oonupriscs :—Lieut. Jolly, Sergts. Crabb, Graham, Story, Corp. Thomas, Vols. Aitken, Gudgeon and Preston, Corp. Adams, emergency man. An entirely new range has been laid off at Arrow for the match, so that all may bo on equal terms. From tho local paper we see that the Queenstown “Garrison Band," which had acquired a flattering reputation for proficiency, has “ burst up,” as seems ultimately to be the fate of all Bands connected with Volunteers. How is it that Bandsmen are so difficult to deal with—do they get too “ orotohetty,” or what?