COLONEL READER AND THE ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 20 October 1881, Page 3

COLONEL READER AND THE ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

THE REPLY OF THE GOVERNMENT. In accordance with a resolution of the D Battery Artillery passed on the 11th instant, Lieutenant M'Credie, on the 13th instant, brought under the notice of the Minister of Defence the conduct of Colonel jßeader in connection with the battery's offer to go to the " front" if necessary. The circumstances of the case were published at the time, and need not now be entered into in this place. In his communication to the Defence Minister, Lieutenant M'Credie relates what took place between Colonel Header and himself, and states that the remarks of the Under-Secretary of Defence were received by the battery with astonishment and indignation. He adds— "l am convinced of the earnestness of the battery to assist the Government in case of any immediate or sudden outbreak, but only as a battery of artillery; therefore if artillery were not likely to be required an intimation to that effect would have been sufficient. No doubfc, if we felt our services were needed in another capacity, we should not have mnch hesitation in offering them. Our volunteering for Bexvioe as artillerymen was due to tho fact that we were the nearest battery to the expeoted scene of action, and we felt it our duty, if artillery should be required, to offer timely assistance. This being the case, the insult thus offered to the battery is such as could not be overlooked." In the reply which is addressed to Lieu-tenant-Colonel Pearce, Mr. Bolleston states that he is very far from undervaluing the services of the Battery, and fully appreciates their earnestness to assist the Government in case of outbreak. He would very much regret if any cause of complaint existed, but he had satisfied himself, from the statements of Colonel .Reader, that the view taken by Lieutenant M'Credie of the tenor of that gentleman's remarks, was the result of misapprehension, and that Colonel Header intended no reflection upon the Battery. As, however, the matter had been thought of sufficient importance to bring under his (Mr. Belleston's) notice, he requests LieutenantColonel Fearoe to call Lieutenant M'Credie's attention to the irregularity of the course taken by him. Colonel M'Credie would no doubt see, upon reflection, that when, an official enquiry was asked for, that enquiry should not be anticipated by the publication of a statement such as had already appeared in this case in the public Press. We understand that no official enquiry was asked for.