HAWERA RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 303, 20 September 1882, Page 2

HAWERA RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE STAB. Fib, — When Captain McGuire took Khe command of the above corps was a great flourish of trumpets, with many others, thought there

gaining that efficiency which is looked for from every corps after an existence of about twelve months. But, sir, unfortunately this is not the case. For the last two ov three' months there has been scarcely a company's parade between the Government inspections, and what is the result ? Recruits, in many instances quite undrilled men, arc to be seen in the ranks, along with others who are fairly drilled. This causes many good members of the corps to absent themselves from pai^ades. Now, sir, I do not wish to find fault with the appointment of Captain McGuire; far from it, for ho is a jolly good fellow; but, I should like to see him display a little more of the true volunteer spirit, and hold the necessary recruit and company's drills, so as to make efficient those members of the corps who require a little more drill, and so render our monthly parades a pleasure and a credit to the corps. As our drill-hall is completed there can be now no excuse for bad weather, streets, &c. I would also suggest, that the recruits should be drilled by themselves. Without this step is taken it is impossible for the corps to ever become an effective body of men. I was glad to see that a mutual understanding bad been come to between the company and the band, and that they are again working in harmony, for without a band corps do not as a rule get on very well. As our annual meeting of the corps takes place shortly, I hope this gentle bint will be acted, on. Apologising for trespassing on your valuable space, — I am, &c., Volunteer. ["Volunteer" answers himself when he Remarks on the bad weather and Btreets. Parades when the mud was a couple of feet deep would have rendered a military hospital a necessary adjunct of the corps. Now that the drill hall is completed, aud fine weather has made it appearance, we doubt not that "Volunteer" will find there are plenty of drills.— Ed. Star.]