A SECOND CAVALRY TROOP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 32, 31 July 1880, Page 2

A SECOND CAVALRY TROOP.

We are pleased to find that the volunteering spirit has not altogether died out in this district, and that the efforts which are being made by Mr. Isaac Bayly and one or two others to form a second cavalry troop are likely to. be

crownrd with success, about 30 of the principal settlers having already intimated their willingness to join. We confes that at first we were afraid, on account of the knowledge gained from those connected with the two infantry corps in Hawera, that the establishment of a second cavalry troop might only be fraught with the same results, and that, instead of having one good troop of cavalry, we should, after some time, have none at all. We freely expressed these doubts to the officer commanding the district, and also to Captain Lttkis, but both of these officers were of opinion that a second troop would be the means of doing a deal of good, because of the emulation which it would create ; and Major Noake pointed out what had taken place in Waiiganui, although he confessed that at first he held the same opinion with regard to having two troops as we gave utterance to. As success, and a higher state of efficiency and discipline, have been attained in Wanganui, through the establishment of a second troop, we see no reason why the same should not. be the case here, and we trust that those who are still holding hack will come forward immediately and enrol themselves. In the present unsebbled state oi aSu'us. hhwe can he no two opinions as to the wisdom of retaining as many arms in the district as possible. The idea that has been mooted, to get up a sort of. reserve infantry force in connection with the cavalry, is an excellent one. The men would not be required to do any regular drill, but would receive arms, for which the officers of the cavalry would have to be responsible. There are many persons willing enough io' volunteer, but they cannot afford to give one day a month away from their work without some adequate compensation. We wish the movement all success : it is deserving of encouragement from all who wish to secure peace by being prepared for war.