The Volunteers.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 110, 10 May 1889, Page 2

The Volunteers.

♦ There w«.s a fair muster of the Wellington Naval Artillery at the Garrison Hall on Wednesday, 75 of all ranks, nnder the command of Captain Duncan, being on parade. The two watches were formed iuto line, and put through some company exercises by Lieut. Hislop, after whioh the same officer exercised the port watch with the field guns for up warcb of an hour, during which time the men were exercised in detachment, wheel-changing, And dismotin&uiff ezerciacs. .At £ho conclaaion of the drill several new members were elected to the Battery, and Captain Duncan intimated that he was prepared to enrol moee really good men who *^ere prepared to enter upon and attend to their duties s.g either flub-marino miners or gunners. The strength of this fine Battery is now about 110, includtug officers, and the members seem to 6tnye, individually and collectively, to make their corps a success. The captain intimated that it was his intention to start the teams matches again, and he hoped that every member would attend these matches, as in addition to the aggregate trophies he had made arrangements whereby ammunition would be supplied free to all those who attended at the rifle range for these particular matches. This liberal encouragement should have the effect of bringing out qnite a large number of marksmen amongst the is avals during the ensuing season. The Navala will fire for class trophies and the company belt to-morrow at the long range. Kanges, 200 and 500 yards, 10 sho's at each, morning and afternoon squads. Ammunition at the Drillshed to-night between 7 and 8. „,.,,, Lieut.-Colonel A. Lean, of Chnstchnrch, is gazetted Brevet-Colonel in tha New Zealand Volunteer force. Mr. G. C. Heenan is gazetted Lieutenant in the Wellington Guards. Lieut.-Colonel Butts is appointed to command the Wairarapa district, vice Major Henry Bunny, who retires under clause 236 of the Volunteer Regulations. We learn that Seaman M'Cnrdy, of the Naval Artillery, is working out the details of a scheme for opening a social club in connection with that corps, the objects in view being to provide a comfortable meeting

place for his comradeo where they can pass a pleasant time without beinif oompollod to sook an hotel. Wo understand Soaman M'Curdy had tho management, as sooretary, of tho Postal and Telegraph Club, Birmingham, which had similar objects to tho projected Naval Social Club, and at tho time of his leaving Homo had a membership of over 200, occupying Jlvo rooms in a ooffee paiaoo, whioh woro utilinod at ordinary times as sitting, reading, smoko, oheaa, and coffee rooms, and on Saturdays oponerf up as a hall for members' concerts, doliatoß, lectures, &c. We trust tho movemont will bo well snpported by liir follow Navola. Tho annual shooting compotition for prizes by tho Guards will tako placo on Saturday, tho 18tb, at tho Polhill Onlly range. Thoro will bo two squads, morning and aftornoon, an a largo number of competitors aro oxpeotod to tako part. A reliable committee has boen formed for canvaßsinif tho city for prizes, and it is to he hoped the citizens will respond most readily, as tho annual shooting of this corps ib looked forward to with a deal of interest by every mombor of the company. It has been arranged that all tho prizes, inolnding those won during tho past season, will bo presented to the fortunate winners on tho 31st. in connoction with a concert, which will tako plane at St. Poter's Schoolroom.