OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 69, 23 March 1899, Page 5

OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

-»— — — WELLINGTON NAVAL ARTILLERY. The 24th annual meeting of the Wellington Naval Artillery Volunteers took place at their boat station last evening, 96 members being present. The finances of the company were found to be in a very satisfactory condition, there being only a small overdraft of £30 with the Bank after paying for the boat station and incidental expenses during the year, while the boat station balance-sheet and the Shooting Committee balance - sheet both showed credits. During the year 22 recruits joined the company, bringing the number on the roll up to 112. Capitation was granted by the Government to 98 men. The camp this year was the most successful ever held by the company, the average attendance being about 100 men per day in spite of very bad weather experienced. The champion squad for the year turned up *n Leading Gunner Broomhall's detachment, consisting of Leading Gunner Broomhall, Bugler Bowater, Gunners White, Baker, Johnson, Jones, Hutching, Wilson, and Simmonds. P.O. Rabe and Petersen tied for second place, the others all being close up. During the evening they were presented with the champion badges. Gunners Arnold and Bowater were promoted to Leading Gunners. The following committees were elected : -—Boat Station, Gunner Francis, P.O. Blanche, Gunner Shaw, and Leading Gunners Naylor and Arnold ; Shooting Committee, P.O. Martin, P.O. Pedder, Gunners Calnan, Baker, Bowater, Matthews, Nixon, and H. C. Baker. It was resolved to send a letter of sympathy to the relatives of the late Gunner Darroch expressing regret at their recent bereavement and the loss of a promising member of the company. During the evening the Government gratuity to the men was paid out. It was decided to entertain the P. A. Instructors. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks and cheers for the officers. The Kumara Rifles, by 19 to 14, have decided to disband. The attendances at parades had been .very unsatisfactory. After the vote had been taken Lieut. Jones said if the 14 who voted against disbandment wished to go on he would ask for an extension of time from the Commandant. The annual meeting of the College Rifles was held on Tuesday night, Captain Brandon in the chair. The report and balance-sheet, which were considered very satisfactory, were adopted. It was decided to hold a concert at an early date. The election of officers resulted as follows —Secretary, Colour-Sergt. Turner (reelected) ; Auditors, Sergt. Zohrab and Pvt Rintoul ; Finance Committee, Sergts. Foster and Lewis j General Committee, Col. -Sergt. Turner, Corpls. Kellow and Banneher. Lnc.-Corpl. Rushbrook ; Firing Committee, Sergt. Lewis, Corpl. Banneher, Pvts. Ellis, Rintoul, and Sommerville j Entertainment Committee, Sergts. Foster and Kember, Pvt. A. W. Blair. [by telegraph-— pbess association.] Christchtjkch, This Day. The third annual route-march of the Christchurch volunteers took . place last nipht, the distance being ten miles and 568 yards. Only three teams competed, their times being — Christ College Rifles, lhr 58min 234 sec; Imperial Rifles, 2hr smin 23sec ; City Guards, 2hr 6min.