CHURCH PARADE FOR THE VOLUNTEERS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4743, 6 November 1872, Page 3

CHURCH PARADE FOR THE VOLUNTEERS.

To the B&itor : Sir, — As the summer 18 fast approaching, I would suggest to the Volunteer authorities the desirability o£ having church parade once or twioo in each month. In other parts of New Zealand the Volunteers frequently assemble for such a purpose; and I think that the whole of our Volunteer corps in Auckland would feel proud in occasionally assembling en masse for such a purpose, headed by their magnificent bauds. There is no doubt but it would delight our citizens to see our Volunteers assembling in full force on such occasions. The people of Auckland donotseeenoughof our Volunteers, nor the Volunteers of one another. Each corps has its monthlyparadeonaseparate day. I think this is a mistake. "Why should not the whole Volunteer force in the city parade once a month together in the Albert Barracks, where and when the men could be taught the field movements which it is necessary they should know? The Volunteers are very neatly, nay, some are superbly, attired m scarlet, blue, and grey, and I don't think are ashamed of their uniform, or the cause they are engaged in. Then wherefore carry the movement on in such a modest, retiring— in such a hole-and-corner manner? At present men are compelled to slink, nay, sneak as it were, up to that rat-hole of a Drill-sked after dark, in many instances to be merely put through fours, shoulder arms, stand at ease, or some other movement you were taught a thousand times before. Officers in many instances wonder at the paucity of attendanje. I don't. Men do not care to he surfeited with recruit drill, and scarcely anything else, almost perpetually. There is another point upon which some Volunteer Corps, more especially the Auckland Kifle Brigade, might take pattern from some other corpd in Auckland, viz., the attendance at funerals of their comrades — Volunteers belonging to other corps. The absence of the Brigade, officers and men, from the last three funerals of Volunteers (two of which took place on Sundays) was very conspicuous. Whether this is creditable to the officers and men of the Brigade I do not say ; the facts speak for themselves. The average attendance was about half a dozen. Shame J lam glad to observe that the Auckland Royal Cavalry Volunteers, : with the old well-known scarlet jackets, are again becoming a numerous and well- drilled | troop, under Captain Charles Alexander. I | think that in a very short time this troop will for numbers and efficiency compare favourably with any other troop in the province. — — I am, &c, Censoe.