AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2676, 13 February 1866, Page 5

AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Yksterdat evening-, at eight o'clock, a meeting of the members of No.. 3 (Parnell) Company of Auck. land Kifle Volunteera 'was held at the Wiudsor Castle Hotel, for the purpose of considering whether the company should tender their serrices to the Governmen blunder the provisions of the new Acb, issued on 30th October lavt. There was a numerous attendance of members present. On the motion of Major Heapht, Mr. Charles Heskkth, ensign, commanding the company, was called upon to preside. The Chairman commenced the proceedings by reading the advertisement from the Dailt Southern Cross convening the meeting 1 . He also read a letter he had received from Major Tighe, Major and Adjutant commanding Militia and Volunteers, in which he stated that he had received a letter on the 10th instant, directing him to acquaint the officers commanding Volunteer Companies that the services of the several companies would be continued in accordance with the 6th section of the Volunteers .Act, 1865, provided such services were tendered within sixty days from Ist January last. He also intimated that it would be necessary for him (the chairman) to tender the ■ervices of that company through him on or before the 20th instant, so as to enable him to report to the Defence Office before Ist March. He (the Chairman) said the company uumbered four sergeants, two corporals, and thirty-five privates, so that they could avail themselves of the advantages held out by the new regulations, which he considered were more liberal than the former ones. The maximum strength was fixed at 100 members, including officers ; and the minimum at thirty-seven private^, one lieutenant, one ensign, one colour-sergeant, two sergeants, and two buglers. The company could rank among the latter class, and they would have additional officers. They had in their general fund the sum of £120, and the capitation money would cover the expense of the clothing for two years. He directed attention to other portions of the Act as affecting the company, and said it was for the meeting to decide whether or not the company should be continued. Mr. Httnteb said it was essential that the members should be acquainted with the new regulations before they should come to any decision upon • the matter. Many of them ha<l never seen the Act, *nd he would move the postponement of the meeting until they should have informed themselves of its provisions. - ' After some discussion, Mr. Fitzgibbon moved a resolution to the effect that the company should tender their services to the Government, under the new Volunteers Regulation Act, 1865, and that the company be recruited before Ist March next. He hoped the old members would remain in connection with the* company, and that many new members would be enrolled. He was glad to see that that company had taken the initiative, as it had always taken the lead in connection with the volunteer movement. Major Heafht seconded the resolution. He had read over the new regulations, and he considered them to be more liberal than the last. Some of them had been framed with the view of making the volunteer movement more popular and the companies more efficient. He gave the Government credit for the intention to make the volunteer movement * really popular as well as efficient movement, and one which would serve the purpose intended. Hitherto, he was sorry to say, the Government had looked upon the movement, if not with disfavour, with a second-rate amount of favour and consideration. He should be glad to enroll his name as a member under the new Act, which, as he said, was a great improvement on the former. If there was sufficient time, he would prefer adopting the course suggested by Mr. Hunter — not to give a final answer until they had duly considered the clauses of the new Act — but there was not time to do bo ; and, besides, the present meeting represented the company, the most active and energetic members being present. He (Major Heaphy) then referred tohislong connection' with the company as commanding officer, and to the circumstances which led to his becoming merely an honorary member of it. He had no doubt they would be able to form a very efficient company. There had been such an addition to the population of Parnell since the company was first formed that he did not doubtthey could make up the number to the maximum strength. The Act was a good one, anditwas much more preferable to be a volunteer under it than under the Militia Act. He had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. The resolution was carried unanimously. A list wm then opened, and a number of volunteers enrolled, after which the meeting separated.