DRILL INSTRUCTOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5374, 6 May 1879, Page 3

DRILL INSTRUCTOR.

Sir, — I was somewhat surprised in reading your report of the annual meeting, of the Engineer Volunteers to find that Major Routledge had applied to the Government to have the sergeant-major of that company appointed drill instructor' for, the ' whole, of the Volunteers of the district. That a competent drill instructor is much; required no one can deny, but in the in- ! t'erest of Volunteerism in general, one should be appointed whose efficiency in all! branches of the service is such that both companies would profit equally by the; appointment. The Artillery, as an old; Volunteer company, I am sure are willing; to show every, consideration to their! youthful rivals, but to take a person from' the ranks and teach him artillery drill,, and at the same time look upon him as! drill-instructor, is coming the matter' rather strong — recruits of that class are very objectionable. As an old Artillery Volunteer, I look upon the actions of Major Routledge in the matter as an insult to the Artillery "Volunteers, and coming from a man who has been so long their captain cannot be otherwise than much felt. The Engineer company,- 1 have not the slightest doubt, owes a. great deal to their sergeant-major, and considering the progress they have made in the "goose step" may still profit by his services, but the Artillery, as a company, have long ago mastered that intricate manoeuvre, and requires an instructor to teach them a higher class of military training. The recommendation , to have the sergeant-major of the Engineers appointed drill-instructor may satisfy the claims of personal friendship, but it neither justifies the wisdom of the major, nor is it consistent with his former association and expressed good wishes for the welfare of the Artillery Volunteer Company. — lam, &c, An A.V. Napier, May 5, 1879.