FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER CORPS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 152, 28 September 1881, Page 2

FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER CORPS.

PUBLIC MEETING IN HAWERA.

Although but scant notice was given that a public meeting would be held, on Monday night, the Town Hall was crowded, and tbe assemblage was one of th& largest ever seen m Hawem. Thtre were several natives present, amongst

them being Tutangi, who was reported to have just come back from Parihaka, and was said to be making prepara-

tions — by selling horses, &c. — to return there immediately. On the motion of Mr. M. D. King, seconded by Mr. P. Riddiford, the chair was taken by Mr. W. J. Furlong, Chairman of the Hawera Town Board.

The Chairman said that he had been asked to call a meeting that day ; in consequence of the urgency of affairs, there was no time to advertise it through the Press. The native difficulty was once more staring them in the face, although the danger was not so near them as in times past. Efforts were being made at New Plymouth, Opunake, and Manaia to form volunteer corps, and he thought the same ought to be done in Hawera. The trouble might pass away, but still it was always a safe thing to have muskets by them. He hoped they would come to some decision that evening. Mr. King — Have you any telegrams or letters to lay before the meeting ?

The Chairman — None.

Mr. King — Captain Lukis is the highest military officer present. Perhaps he can give some information to the meeting. Captain Lukis — All I have to say in the matter is this : I have been advised to work up the settlers to arm themselves. The authorities consider the matter serious, and would like to see the settlers armed. The only way they can arm

themselves is by forming volunteer corps, and that can only take place by means of a public meeting. A Voice — Are they going to be paid ? Captain Lulris — I have no authority for stating that they will be paid, but I presume they will be paid if their services are required. The Chairman — I understand the meeting has been called for the purpose of forming a volunteer corps for the protection of the town and neighborhood, and I hope some gentleman will make a proposition in that direction.

Mr. McCutchan — Would it not be well for Mr. Lukis to read out the oath that volunteers will be reqnired to take ? If we are to be called out to fight for people who got thousands of acres at half-a-crown an acre, we ought to know where we can be ordered to, and how far. Some of us who have paid £7 and an acre for our land are of opinion that it is the duty of the Government to afford protection, if it is required. As the father of three sons, I should hike to know whether they could be ordered, say to Opunake, if they joined the volunteers. The Chairman said he was unable to give Mr. McCutchan a definite answer, but when the volunteer corps were formed here previously, it was understood that they would only be asked to defend their own neighborhood. Captain Lukis — I was plainly told yesterday that no man would bo ordered away from the district, unless he volunteered bis services. Mr. Nolan— l think volunteers can only be ordered a distance of ten miles. Mr. I. Bayly — They can be ordered to any place in case of emergency. Mr. Hobbs — As one who belonged to the volunteer corps formed here two or three years ago, I might state that we were then given to understand that we would not have to go beyond the Waingongoro. Mr. S. Adamson — In the old days at Wanganui, the distance used to be twenty miles.

Mr. I. Bayly — I think the aspect of affairs is sufficiently serious to warrant us in banding together, without considering the question of payment or anything else. If we are called out, of course we ought to be paid. There is no telling when something serious may occur. It is not a question of property : it is a question of life, which goes before property. The Government are not likely to move if -we do not bestir ourselves. Some people say we ought to wait until something s rious occurs ; but if anything happens we shall then be told that Te Whiti's speech was sufficient warning. I think we ought to arm ourselves — not that I believe there is any danger ; but if anything occurs, we shall have to defend ourselves, as the Government will need the services of all the Armed Constabulary- at the front. There is no doubt the natives would prefer attacking people without arms, if hostilities broke out, rather than those who had arms. Whatever we do, we ought to do quickly ; but if gentlemen think there is no danger, and that we ought to do nothing, then, I, for my part, am quite willing to allow the matter to drop. Mr. King— l think Mr. Bayly hit the right nail on the head in his speech. It is not a question of property : it is a question as to whether we shall fight like men, if the necessity arises. I for one do not believe there will be war; but the best TP&7 'to i>e prepared Sor rear is bo arm. ourselves. The natives have become bounceable in consequence of the small force at the front ; but the force is being strengthened every day. The drilling will not take much time : it can be done in the evening, as it used to be formerly. To bring the business to a head, I beg to move the following resolution: — "That the names of all parties willing to form a corps for the protection of the district of Hawera be taken down." That would enable the Government to send all the Armed Constabulary to the front. I have been informed that a large number of carbines and rifles were landed to-day at Patea, in order that the settlers might all be armed in case of emergency.

Mr. S. Adamson seconded the motion.

Mr-. Prichard —Is it going to be a Cavalry or Infantry Corps ? Mr. King suggested that the names of parties willing to join either corps should be taken down.

Mr. Bate said it was a very necessary proposition. He thought they should be prepared if anything happened. The Government appeared to think the matter serious, and he (the speaker) considered that they ought to show that they were willing to defend themselves. It could do no possible harm, and might do them, good in the future. The Chairman, before putting the resolution, reminded the meeting of the difficulty they had-J^qrocuring arms when

the previous trouble existed. He though they ought to embrace the present opportunity. The resolution was earned unanimously*

Mr. Nolan then suggested that the names ought to be taken down, and the parties left to decide whether they would form either a Cavalry or Intantry Corps. Mr. Bate thought it better to decide at once, as they could then say what sort of arms ' would be reqnired, and they could be asked for immediately. Mr. Bayly said any person could change from one corps to the other afterwards, if he desired to do so. The names were then enrolled, and sixty-three persons put down their names. Out of that number only five signified their intention of joining the Cavalry. The public meeting was then declared closed, and the corps proceeded to the

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. CAPTAIN.

On the motion of Mr. King, seoonded by Mr. Roper, Mr. Isaac Bayly was unanimously elected captain. In a few well-chosen remarks, he^eturned thanks, stating that he hoped they would work well together, and give a 'good account of themselves. He urged upon the corps the necessity of regular attendance at drill. He thought it would be as well that they should elect the lieutenant and sub-lieutenant that evening, and the names could be immediately forwarded to the authorities.

Mr. Laishley suggested that the election of the other officers should be left over till next meeting, as many of them were strangers to each other. That would give them time to consider a,s to the capabilities of gentlemen. The Chairman thought it better to elect the officers whilst they had such a large meeting. Mr. Laishley, to test the feeling of the corps, then proposed, " That the election of the other officers be postponed till next meeting of the corps." Mr. Parrington seconded the motion, which was declared lost, a large number of hands being held up against it. The corps then proceeded to nominate the

LIEUTENANT.

Mr. "W. T. Watts was proposed by Mr. Pinches, and seconded by Mr. Jones. Mr. W. G. White was proposed by Mr. Eoper, and seconded. by Mr. W. Hicks. Mr. E. H. Nolan was proposed by Mr. Wilkinson, and seconded by Mr. Duffill. Mr. Watts had the necessary majority, and was declared elected. In returning thanks, he hoped the corps would attend regularly at drill.

SUB-LIEUTENANT.

Mr. Nolan was proposed by Mr. Rogers, and seconded by Mr. J. D. Watts. Mr. Parrington was proposed by Mr. Laishley, and seconded by Mr. Ryan. _ Mr. White was proposed by Mr. King, and seconded by Mr. Jury. Mr. Nolan had tb,e necessary majority, and was declared, elected. ' Having suitably returned thanks,

NAME OF CORPS.

It was resolved that the name of the corps shoijild be the " Hawera Rifle Volunteers*

The corps broke up with three hearty cheers for the newly-elected officers.

NEXT MEETING.

Captain Bayly announced that the nextmeeting of the corps would be advertised. in the Star. a