VOLUNTEERING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 221, 11 June 1908, Page 5

VOLUNTEERING.

REMINISCENCES BY MR. A. R. HISLOP. THE OLD DRILL SHED. Commander A. R. Hislop, V.D., who, when in mufti, is the secretary of the Institute of Marino Engineers, was caught in a reminiscent mood when called upon by a

Dominion representative yesterday. Mr. A. R. Hislop was one of the keenest and hard- . est-work/ng volunteer officers that Wellington has known.' Between thirty and forty years ago he was elected a lieutenant of the old Wellington Naval Brigade, the volunteer corps that preceded the Wellington Naval Artillery Volunteers of the present time, and served many years under Captain (now Hon.) Charles Johnston and subsequently under Captain (now Lieut.-Col.) John Duncan. The corps was a very popular one, and a photograph in Mr. Hislop's possession shows a muster of 2GO on parade—all'in the one company. In the early days the Brigade relied for its marine experience on a whaleboat and two gigs that used to be kept immediately behind those premises in Customhouse Quay now occupied by the Colonial Carrying Company, but subsequently ■it secured quarters at Clyde Quay, on tho site of the present boat harbour. "1 was chiefly instrumental in the formation of the Petone Navals," said Mr. Hislop. "It was at the timo when the Government reduced tho strength' of all companies to 100. I did riot like to see so many good fellows jottisoned, so we got- the Petone Navals going,'with Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert (now of Palmorston North) as, the first captain. There were no late trains in those days, and often I liavo gone out in. tho evening to take charge of the drill, and then tramp all the way back to town. I tell you, I was keen on volunteering in/thoso days I ,Later, wheu the corps bought a -boat, the men made nothing of pulling or sailing mo to town, and getting back the same night." ' "We wore'the first, to. start, these instructional camps that' are held regularly every yeari The first one was held in the old Kaiwarra fort, in the year- — Oh, I can never remember dates. What I do remember, though, was that the first night we were in camp every tent was blown down except ours —the officers'. It did used to blow down that gorge!"

"We Navals used to have great sport.in those days. A field day on the harbour meant that half the company would man the coal-hulks, and the other half would attack. .'Boarders!' 'Repel boarders!'—and the men would finish up the day as black as niggers."

"I- see the Government is handing over the old drillshed to the Agricultural Department. I suppose it has had its day! I was interested in ' the movement which brought about its erection. We thought tho time had arrived. when we should have a drill-shed, and meetings were held to discuss the possibility of the scheme. As the outcomo of those meetings tho Government allocated tho site. At first it was suggested that a substantial two-story building be erected, tho ground floor to be used as a drill-shed and the upstairs to' be let for meetings and dances. The'cost was too much to look at, and it was then decided to erect tho present structure."

s "Tho contract price was £1200, and it was t erected by Mr. Samuel Brown from the plans of Mr. P. F. M. Burroughs, then (in 1880) . Government Architect.. The money .was t raised by each of the seven volunteer com- . panics subscribing £100, and the citizens : taking up debentures for the other £500. . I believe the companies were repaid, but tho ; citizens decided to present the debentures to tho trustees, of whom I was secretary for i somo time. The Officer Commanding the District in those days was Colonel Pearce." " When originally built the drillshed had the solid earth, for a floor, but on the .first visit to Wellington of the flagship Nelson, a grand ball was tendered to Rear-Admiral Tryon, and for that occasion a floor was prepared. After that all the principal balls and social functions, bazaars,, etc., were held there, and it formed part of the first In- j dusvi'ifil Exhibition hold'in Wellington."