THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 104, 31 October 1881, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Tho Wellington Naval Brigade met at ihe Drill Shed on Saturday evening to consider the question of going to the front as a second detachment. About 100 men, including 33 memberß of the band and several belonging to the Hutt and Petoni contingent offered themselves. The detachment will go jmder the command of Lieutenants Hislopj Wallace, and Fitzherbert, and Dr. Diver, we understand, will accompany them as staff-surgeon. His professional engagements, however, will prevent him frofi remaining long with his company. The members of the Timaru Artillery and Ashburton and Temuka Rifles who offered their services arrived from South yesterday, and will sail for Opunake this afternoon per Huia, which vessel has been chartered for the purpose. The Wellington Guards Band will accompany the corps to th 6 vessel, t " About 40 of the City Rifles are expected to go to the front under Lieutenants Walden and Ballinger. Captain Crowe has been unable to make arrangements for joining his corps. A meeting of the D Battery was held at thft Theatre Royal Hotel on Saturday 1 evening". ' Lieutenant M'Credio, who occupied thq chair, etated that he hid, in compliance with the wish of the battery, informed tho Government that the battery would go to tho front on condition that they were allowed to tike one or two guns, and that if, on their arrival at Opunake, it was found they were nob required, the company wonld take the field as a rifle corps. To this the Government had replied, thanking the battery, but decliuing the offer on the ground that it was not considered necessary at present to call out any more volunteer compiniea. If, however, further additions were required tho Government would glaaly avail themselves of the 83rvioes of the battery. Lieutenant M'Credie said it was singular that the services of a corps of ten years' standing should not have received some consideration at tho hands of the Government. Tho H Battery had gone with one gun, and several rifle corps in town were recruiting. An opinion, which received general conenrrence, was expressed that no member shou'd go as a recruit in any other company, but that the company should go together as a battery or rifle corps, or not at all. A motion, asking the Government to re-consider their decision, was moved and lost, and a motion to withdraw all offers of service was likewise lost. Eventually it was resolved "That the battery note the letter from the Defence Department, and take no further notice of the matter." The meeting then adjourned. The Wairarapa detachment of volunteers will arrive by train this evening. The City Guards mustered at the barracks this morning, when tho 34 members of tho corpa who had offered their services wero present. They present a fine appearance, the men being young and active and of good physique. Sixteen of the band have also given in their names as willing to go with the corps. Some grumbling was occasioned by the order prohibiting the taking on of recruits, as it ia believed 150 good men might be.procured but for that order. Ono man came from Wanganui to civ, and another from Foxton. Both have seen active Bervice, and aro much disappointed at not being allowed to serve. Lieutenant Young hat received a captain's commission and SecondLieutenant Blundell a first-lieutenant's commission for active service, and both will leave in charge of the detachment. The Defence Department have now obtained all the volunteers they require for Barvice in tho disturbed district.