OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 72, 22 September 1898, Page 6

OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

The Wellington Navals were busy last evening at Mount Cook, Lieut. Bell in command, with Lieuts. Cooper and Biss in attendance. Detachments were instructed under tbe officers in Nordenfeldt, Maxim, 6in b.1., and Tin r.ni.l. gun?, while the lecture room was also occupied, and the recruits were drilled in small arm work by Sergt. Gentles, P. A. Two new members were elected. The examination of candidates for non-commissioned officers will be continued this evening, and the Oiu b.l. pit will be worked by Lead.-Gun. Broomhall's detachment, under Lieut.-Com. Campbell, at 7.15 sharp. On Friday night the company holds a " social," at the boat station, Jervois-quay, in aid of the family of one of the members requiring assistance. On Saturday, at the opening of the boating season, the cutter crews will take part, .after which there will be a race between crews chosen by P.O. Babe and X/.G. Prance. Entries for the cutter races for the company badges and Mr. Duncan's } champion flag close on the the 24th September. . On Monday night there will be the usual big gun recruit drill at Mount Cook, and on Tuesday night there will be the monthly meeting, at j which the officers of companies will consider the boat station, shooting, and storekeepers' rules. On Wednesday evening the Commandant of the Forces will inspect the Company at gunnery. Class-Hring for a special Wednesday half-holiday squad will be held at Polhlll Gully on Wednesday afternoon, sth October. It is anticipated that a daylight parado will be held shortly at the forts, in company with the Permanent Artillery, for big gun practice. Friends of the Company are invited to afternoon tea at the boat station next Saturday on the occasion of the opening of the boating season. Mr. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse, an excaptain of the D Battery, has consented to again take command of his old corps. Past members of the Wellington Artillery Volunteers are invited to attend a meeting at the Trocadero this evening.

The abolition of the Nelson Gaol (there is now ouly a police look-up) has necessitated the removal of prisoners awaiting trial to "Wellington. I<\ C. Newman, committed for trial on a number of charges of forgery, has been brought here, as the Nelson Supreme Court does not sit until the 23rd November.