MEETING AT MANAIA.

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

MEETING AT MANAIA.

A public meeting as above was held? on Thursday evening, at 7 p.m. There was a large attendance. Major Stapp took the chair, and requested that members of both the proposed corps should attend. As this was difficult, owing to the discrepancy of the hours of meeting, the meeting of the infantry corps was first held.

Major Stapp said — I am the officer commanding the Militia of this district, and also of other districts outside of this. I have been deputed by the Hon. the Defence Minister to enrol these corps of volunteers. I may as well 6tate that as the proclamation calling out the militia on active service has never been rescinded, all the individuals in the district are now actually out on active service; that, in fact, every man in the district is a soldier every man between 17 and 55 years of age between "Waingongoro and White Cliffs. It is not a fact generally known, and I therefore draw attention to^ it. Before enrolling or accepting the services of you men, I desire to call your attention to certain points in the regulations. (Major Stapp then read out from the printed book of regulations certain rules. One of which was to the effect that three months' notice was required before any volunteer could leave the corps, except in the case of a person leaving the district, when a fortnight's notice could be given.) If the corps were enrolled, and no war was declared, any one could readily resign, or the whole corps could resign without trouble, as it was not the wish of the Government to keep up volunteer corp3 in full strength, except in times of danger, against the wishes of the settlers. The Governor had power to make regulations, and the corps had power to make its own rules. He recommended volunteers to procure copies of the book of regulations. Major Sbapp bhen prt>ct>e&t!& b> fexpkiu A number of regulations affecting the conduct of volunteers. He specially pointed oufc no man having accepted service, was at liberty to leave the district -without first obtaining leave of absence. In conclusion, he remarked — I hope each man who enrols, is really in earnest, and none will take out a rifle, or take the oath of allegiance, unless he means to stick to it. A great military authority had said, " If you wish for peace, you must be prepared for war." Your captain will undertake a very serions responsibility. He will have to give a lot of time and trouble, and that means money. The color-sergeant would also undertake serious responsibility, and much trouble with books and accounts, &c. On these two officers, the- efficiency of the corps wpi chiefly depend. As officer commanding the district, I would not ask the men to undertake fancy drill. I would ask them to learn just what wasreally necessary. When the ploughing began about two years ago, there were more than a 1000 men raised within his district, and I have no doubt, if any need arose, the men would again come forward quite as freely as before. If there should be any disturbance, I know the feeling of the settlers, and I am perfectly certain it will be the last row of the sort. '(Applause.) lam very "sorry that I -do not meet the settlers here to-night, for the first time under pleasanter circumstances. This district is a grand one, and I regret

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that under the circumstances, it should appear to bo wise to take settlers away from their usual occupations, thus fencing them to ficme extent, to neglect their business. I know that it is a very serious tax, but it 18 a self-reliant policy,'aud you will find that if you meet me fairly, I ftha.ll ba 3w«pft.vad to tm.t you vrith fair* ness and consideration. (Applause.) Mr. O'Brien proposed that the corps be called the Waimate Infantry Volunteers. It was proposed by Mr. McCarthy, and seconded by Mr. Burgess and carried as an amendment, that the name of the corps be the " Waimate Bifles."

The amendment was carried.

Major Stapp said that he believed in a 6hip being able to answer her helm. He proposed to teach the men how to advance and retire and extend as quickly as possibe ; also, the use of their arms. If this were done, the men would be of service in the field. Fancy drill could be left till later.

In reply to a question by Mr. O'Brien,

Major Stapp said — You're liable to be taken twenty miles from the head-quarters of the district. The men will not be taken away from the district against their wish. If men volunteer to go, they can go. The intention of the Minister was that the volunteers should protect their own district.

Mr. O'Brien asked as to the pay — what would it be if the volunteers went out on active service ?

Major Stapp read out the regulations, stating that the pay would be 2s. 6d. a day for privates. It was not absolutely necessary for a captain to be sworn in as private ; if the corps chose to elect a captain who had not been sworn in as a private, they could do so. He understood the position taken up by the settlers to be this: "Here I am, on the spot; and off that I won't budge." (Applause.) If the settlers wished for rumors, they could hear plenty at the corner of the streets in New Plymouth. They must not accept everything they saw in the newspapers, as that was not all gospel. He had forty years' service under her Majesty. He sympathised with the settlers, as he knew that this service was a heavy tax. Mr. Yorke asked what had to be clone in respect to transfers from the Hawera Corps, and "was told that seven days' must be given in the case of all transfers, but that it was unlikely that any difficulties would be raised by the officer commanding the Hawera Light Horse.

In respect to drills, it was entirely the captain's prerogative in respect to drills, that a certain number of drills should be held forthwith, so as to teach the men to advance and retire, extend, &c, 60 as not to move as a mob. He did not like to have after-difficulties. He would keep nothing back from anyone who wished for further information, as he did not wish after men had joined the corps, for them to say there was something they had not understood.

Thirty-eight men were then sworn in, but the names of at least another score ■were mentioned as being likely to join, though not present.

In reply to a question put by Mr. Burgess, Major Stapp said that he believed that any man who was wounded or disabled would be legally entitled to pension under the Pensions Act.

In reply to a question whether a man absent was legally liable for fines, Mwfor Stapp said that he held a man was bound to give his reasons for being absent, and they would be fairly considered ; a man absent without leave was liable to be fined.

It was then proposed by Mr. Chisholm, and seconded by Mr. Francis, that Mr. O'Brien be captain. Mi*. Chisbolm pointed out that Mr. O'Brien had had experience in the Waikato, and was a man who was certain to do his duty in respect to the. corps thoroughly and cheerfully. Major.-Alexandor was then proposed, batrtfeclined to act. No other candidate being proposed,

Major Stapp said it was his pleasant duty to declare Captain O'Brien duly elected.

Captain O'Brien came forward and thanked the men of the corps for the honor done to him. and said he would do his best to further the interests of the new corps. Mr. Lillivre proposed, and Mr. Power seconded, that Mr. McCarthy be lieutenant.

Mr. McCarthy declined, because he was rare there were many others in the new corps better qualified than he. Mr. John Downes was then proposed, but declined.

Major Stapp pointed out that it was not necessary to push on with the election of other officers.