HAWERA RIFLES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 236, 17 April 1882, Page 3

HAWERA RIFLES.

A meeting of the Hawera Rifles was held on Friday evening. Capt. Bayly occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members.

Quarter-Master Sergeant Ryan read the balance-sheet and a statement of liabilities and assets from which it appeared that there was a balance in hand on the ordinary account of £4 125.; that the liabilities (mainly, cost of uniform) amounted to £215 10s.. and the assets (capitation money and subscriptions due) to £224, leaving £8 to the good. It was stated that the capitation was £2, and the cost of uniform £2 10s. 9d., so that each member will have to pay 10/9. for his uniform. The balance-sheet and statement of assets and liabilities were adopted. Captain Bayly mentioned that he had received a letter from the uniform contractors stating that the uniform with the exception of the caps had been sent to New Plymouth. He was going to New Plymouth next day and would see about getting them sent on to Hawera.

RESIGNATION OP THE CAPTAIN. Captain Bayly reported that he had sent in his resignation to the Governor, and explained that he had done so because he found that he could not spare tht time required of a captain. It was always difficult" to keep up the parades even when ttie captain went round and personally requested individual members to come, and it was more difficult in the countiy than in towns. He could not spare the time to do that, and must resign. He regretted that he bad been unable to get a rifle range for the corps, but said he had done his best to get one. He took credit for having got full capitation for the corps, and said that Mr. Bryce had refused it to Wanganui corps formed about the same time time as the Hawera Rifles ; and he must also point out that he had endeavored to make perade hours convenient ,to all, especially when the corps was qualifiying for capitation by securing morning and late evening parades. With the exception of those occurring during the last month, he had attended all, and then he was obliged to be up north on private business. With reference to the band, he had been endeavoring, as yet unsuccessfully, to get a man to take the place vacated by McGovern, and was now in correspondence with aman at Cambridge. With reference to the uniform, he had made himself personally responsible to the contractors. It might be said that was not much ; but had anything happened to break up the corp, he would have had to pay. He had all through done his best for the corps (applause) ; and on the other hand he must say the men had behaved admirably, and on parades had shown themselves very attentive and willing to learn their drill. He was sorry to leave them, more especially as he was quite convinced of the necessity of maintaning the corps. It was said the Government were at loggerheads with regard to native affairs, and there was no knowing what it might eventually lead to, so that he hoped the corps would be kept together. He had only now to thank them for the confidence reposed in him in the past, and to say good-bye officially. His resignation had been sent to the Government, and also that of Sub-Lieut. Nolan, and when gazetted tney would be free.

Sergt. Pinches moved a vote of thanks to Captain Bayly for the services he had rendered to the corps ; and the motion was duly seconded, and carried by acclamation. Captain Bayly acknowledged the vote. Coior-Sergt. Meredith suggested that as there was a good meeting, the coi i s should proceed to (.he election of a n>.v captain. Capt. Bayly doubted whether that could be done until his resignation was accepted and gazetted, and also pointed out that a clear majority must vote for the appointment of a gentleman as captain, but there was not a clear majority present. It was pointed out that it was quite usual for the resignation of one captain and the appointment of another to appear in the same Gazette, and that there would be no conflict of authority because the captain-elect oould not take duty until the resignation of the late captain had been gazetted. As to the second objection a partly signed j requisition to another gentleman had been made up, and those present, were they so inclined, could sign and make up I more than half of the members' signatures. Capt. Bayly said the Act was very strict and he must abide by it, but he would accept the requisition as proof of the will of the majority, and would himself sign it, to make up the number. (Applause.) Color-Sergeant Meredith then moved that Mr. Felix McGuire be elected captain. Corporal Watts seconded the motion, and, on it being announced that 48 members had signed the requisition to Mr. McGuire, the motion was put and carried. Quarter-Master Sergeant Ryan having resigned from the corps Captain Bayly agreed to take charge of the funds, &c. until relieved by the new captain. On the motion of Sergeant Purdey, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Sergeant Ryan, who, in responding, said he had only done his duty. The meeting then adjourned.

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For remainder of Reading Matter, see Fourth Page.