OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1898, Page 2

OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

We are in a position to state that the Government has induced Master Gunner Richardson to remain in New Zealand for two more years. Master Gunner Richardson is admitted by the authorities to be the most competent instructor yet sent out to the colony by the War Office, and the announcement that his engagement will continue for some time longer will be received with satisfaction by the Volunteers and Permanent Force throughout the colony. '' Volunteers in Wellington are wanting to know why Sergeant Gentles,, of the Permanent Force, who was recently told off to assist Sergt.-Major Finn in drilling the members of the new rifle corps in the city, has not made a start to carry out his duties. The Kelburne Rifles paraded 46 strong at the Drillshed last night under Captain Davis, Lieutenants M'Donald and Hendersou. The company was inspected by Major Collins on behalf of the Government, after whioh the meu were drilled by the officers and sergeants 'in the ordinary routine. The D Battery paraded at Mount Cook last night. The men went through a variety of drill under Lieufcs. Hume and Rose. Dr. Henry is to be hou. surgeon of the College Rifles. Mr. G. Hutchiuson is to be nominated as lieutenant. The corps paraded at the Drillshed last night, and was drilled by Sergt.-Major Finn. The Institute Naval Cadets paraded last evening under Captain Wallace and Lieut. Fitzgerald. The lads were exercised in skirmishing and company drill by the captain and non-commissioned officers. The ambulance corps will parade for stretcher and bandaging drill this evening, and recruit drill will be helct as usua] on Thurs- • day evening. ' v Thirty members of the starboard watchof the Petone Navals, under Lieut. Smithie, paraded at their drillshed last evening, and were instructed in submarine -mining by Sergt.-Major Panell and Instructors Blick and Gauntlett. Twenty-two of the gunnery detachment, under Lieut. Fanning, paraded at Ngahauranga, where Sergeant - Major Withers delivered a lecture upon theoretical gunnery. I