CAVALRY MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 152, 28 September 1881, Page 3

CAVALRY MEETING.

The men desirous of joining the mounted rifles met at 8.45.

Major Stapp repeated the remarks made by him to the foot rifles. A cavalry corps could agree to parade once a month, or could parade for a week, or for three days at least, and ought to hold at least balf-a-dozen troop parades, so as to become efficient, and entitle them to any grant of money. Mr. Martyn asked whether twelve drills could be done within one week ?

Major Stapp said yes ; six inspection parades, and b\x troop paradeß could be held. If the men were. in earnest, and did a fair amount of work, and got on well, he would recommend the corps for full capitation allowance, although there were only a few months left to them to parade and learn their drill. He thought that two consecutive days might surely be managed without much loss or inconvenience to the settlers many of whom could scarcely spare a whole week. Mr. Dingle : " In case horses were shot, what would be done ?"

Major Stapp thought that as in the past, a board of officers had sat upon such cases, .and dealt with them, the same course would probably be again adopted. He never knew a man who lost a horse admit that his horse was not a good one. It was always good horses which were shot. None of those who had received compensation were known to complain afterwards.

Mr. Martyn pointed out that in the "Waikato district the cavalry were in receipt of 128. per clay. In the Waikato, all the cavalry had undertaken to drill six days a week twice in the year; but he thought the Waimate men were worth quite as much pay as the Waikatos, and did not see why they should not get the same.

Major Btapp agreed to represent the matter to the Government, but he knew ■ ■■'"""'. n3«de to the Go-

vernment for the Hawera Light Horse, had not been entertained. It should be remembered that every able-bodied man was n militia-man. He preferred the volunteers ; but if the militia haa to be called out, they woukl be the men whom he (Major Stapp) would march oil right up to, tilie. mouth of the cannon : he would toe down on them Like a shot. (Applause.) Mr. Yorke thought that as settlers had been invited to join the rifle corps, the keep of ther horses would not be a serious item. The Major had pointed out that it was not intended to march them more than twenty miles from head-quarters, so that their expenses were not likely to be heavy. The amount of pay for their services was not the main consideration of those who had joined the mounted rifles. Mr. Hencly asked whether, if settlers deposited the value of arms and accoutrements without enrolling in any troop, arms would be issued to them ?

Major Stapp said no. He had places in his district where sections of a company lived at a distance, and such sections drilled generally separate from the rest, except when there were inspection parades, when all came together. The meeting then proceeded to elect officers, the previous election not being valid. On the motion of Mr. Budge, seconded by Mr. Bayly, Mr. W. L. Martyn was elected captain unanimously. On the question of appointing other officers, a difference of opinion arose as to whether it would not be better to postpone the election of subordinate officers until the Hawera men who had applied for transfers, had obtained them.

Mr. Chadwick thought that some man who was not at present in the corps, might prove to be the most eligible, and he thought it would be wise to give them all a chance.

Captain Martyn thought it would be better to elect a lieutenant at once. The corps might have to turn out any minute, and he would need support, and would be glad of a lieutenant. Messrs. E. Dingle, William Sutton, and Humphry Bayly, were then proposed to act as lieutenant to the corps. The names were balloted for, with the following result :— H. Bayly, 15 ; W. Sntton, 5 ; and R. Dingle, 3. Mr. Humphry Bayly thauked the members for the confidence they had shown in him, and said he would try to do his duty to the corps. It was proposed by Mr. Budge, and seconded by Mr. Langley, that Mr. B. Dingle be suh-lieutant. Mr. W. Wells proposed that Mr. W. Sutton be sub-lieuteuaut.

The two names were ballotted for, and the ballot resulted in a tie, each caudidate scoring 15 votes. Mr. Langley then proposed that the election of sub-lieutenant be postponed until October Bth. This was put to the meeting aud carried, but was afterwards withdrawn.

It was pointed out that both the gentlcnien nominated belonged to the Hawera Light Horse. There were seven of those who had applied to transfer to the Waimate Corps present, if they voted the election could be decided. The corps resolved nnaniniously to allow them to vote. Mr. Sutton was then declared elected by a majority of three. Mr. Sutton thought the meeting had elected the wrong man, but would do his best to further the interests of the corps.

Captain Gudgeon informed the men that he had received a telegram that arms would be at Manaia on Tuesday or Weduesday at latest. Mr. Langley proposed a vote of thanks to Major Stapp. The settlers had the greatest confidence in him, and many of the older settlers who had known him long, were well pleased to have the chance of serving under him again.

Major Stapp returned thanks, and pointed out, that if it came to a brush with the natives, thanks to the progress made with roads and railways, the probability was that the struggle would be short, sharp, and decisive.

Captain Martyn proposed a vote of thanks to Captain Gudgeon, who had taken a lot of trouble in connection with the formation of the corps, in a most good-natured way, and had now volunteered to issue arms, and record and book all the arms and accoutrements to the men.

A cordial vote of thanks was accorded, and Captain Gudgeon responded in suitable terms.

Captain Martyn appointed 2 p.m. on Thursday, as the date for the issue of the arms.

Three cheers were given for Major Stapp, and the meeting broke up at nearly 11 p.m.