THE CITIZEN ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1135, 24 May 1911, Page 8

THE CITIZEN ARMY.

SHORTAGE IN REGISTRATION. FINES WON'T EXEMPT. Estimating Hip approximate number, eligible under the ago limit for militarytraining registration, there was on Saturday last a shortage of 14,227. The returns, forwarded to general headquarters from tho various military districts show that to tho week ended May 20, 39,273 have registered for tho territorials and senior cadets; to this may bo added tho estimated 17,500 territorials and senior cadets at present serving end who are being registered on separate lists,-making 5G.77S accounted for. This leaves about 14,225 who must register before Juno 2 or suffer tho penalties under tho Act, "There seems to bo an impression in some minds," states the Adjutant-Gen-eral (Col. A. W. Robin, C.8.), "that if these men fail to register and 1 pay tho fine they exempt themselves. This is not so. They will still require to register."' •■ ■ ■

Details of the registralion returns to date are as follow:— Terri- Senior _~•■■ torials. Cadets. Totals registered to May 13 12,691 22,039 Registered during week ending May 20— Wellington 657 888 Auckland 453 633 Canterbury 414 661 Otago 361 416 .Grand totals 14,606 24,607 A- RECENT COURT-MARTIAL. PRIVATE HAGAN FINED £1. As tho result •of tho recent district court-martial held at Lower Hutt, when, Private John flagan, of tho Mutt Valley Rifles was charged-with having disobeyed tho lawful'commands of his superior of. ficer, the Court has found the accused guilty, and imposed a fine of £h CORONATION NIGHT. TORCHLIGHT TATTOO. Tho Adjutant of the Fifth Wellington Rifles (Lieutenant A. H. Rassain) is endeavouring to arrange for a torchlight military tattoo in tho Basin Reserve on tho oveuing of tho, Coronation celebrations in Wellington.. This,,if carried out, will be the first display of tho kind ever held in Wellington, or New Zealand for that matter, and will bo an interesting and' quite un'iquo spectacle. ' Permission to hold the tattoo lias been granted byDistrict Headquarters, and application is now 1 being made by Lieutenant liassam to the civic authorities for permission to use tho Basin Reserve that night, and' also the privilege of charging a small fee for 'admission, tho surplus, if any, to'go to-, wards the upkeep of the regimental bandShould the consent of the City Council be obtained, tho other corps and all local bands will be invited to assist to make the display a success.

REGIMENTAL NEWS. A subalterns' class of instruction in 'military topography will ho commcucod this evening by the adjutant of the- regiment, Lieutenant A. H. Rassain. The following officers of the regiment have passed their examinations for cortificatcs of rank:—Lieutenants A. T. Butler, J. P. G. Roberts, and A. S. Henderspn. Lieutenant Slinn, formerly in command of tho Cycle Corps, which has now been absorbed by C Company, has been trans, ferred to'K. Company.' ■■'•■

It has been decided to change the constitution of tho present District Board of Military Examinations, which will now consist of the Brigadier, the officer commanding the regiment, the brigade major,' and the adjutant of the regiment. With tho idea of festering the true regimental spirit, the officers of tho Fifth: Wellington Jlifles' will celebrate their first.niess dinner next;, week, on Wednesday, •(■•May 31v ■ (The non-commissioned officers of the regiment are now arranging the details for their first- annual ball, tho date of which has been fixed for July .3 next,, ~■''•'■,•■■ •.