THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VII, Issue 1265, 24 March 1886, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

By \ Full Piiivate. I thought a few lines concerning the above from a personal observation would be interesting— interesting it must be from the fact that general public sympathy is always expressed with the volunteer movement. The system for the time being equalises the representatives of all classes who may be in the ranks, collapses the social scale, so to speak, and the uncouth youth has the courage to feel entitled to rank with the " blue blood " w horn he may fall in with — for the time being, as J said before. But to proceed. The Hawcra Volunteers mustered well on Tuesday morning, to the number of '18 ; and started for New Plymouth by first train. At Inglewood they were joined by the Inglewood Volunteers, and cheers were given for the latter contingent. The two compauies alighted at Eliiott-street railway station, fell in, and were marched to the racecourse, where a review was to be held, and the volunteers were to be inspected by Colonel Sir G. S. "Wliitmore. The 2s'ew Plymouth company were already on tho ground. The companies were classed — JS T ew Plymouth, 2io.- 1$ Hawcra, No. 2 ; and Inglewood, No. 3 ; and were commanded by Captains Ellis, Trimble, and Brown respectively. Each of the corps comprised about equal numbers. The companies were drilled in review and skirmishing order by Lieut.Colonel Stapp, which, lasted about an hour and a half ; and then Sir George addressed the men. In the course of his remarks, he said, in effect, that he was pleased to see the men muster so well ; and, taking into consideration the short" time they had been in existence, they all acquitted themselves very credjtabljv He was especially pleased at the large number of young men in the ranks. Old soldiers liked to be soldiers, as a matter of <som*se ; but it -was an especial credit to the district that ihe yonng men should take such an active interest in volunteering; He hoped to »cc them muster well at the. encampment to be held at Wanganui at Easter. The'ro was a large nuniber of spectators oil, ' the ground — a great many ladies, of course. New Plymouth, I think, has more than its share K or the latter. - And now*, I suppose, you

would like to know which of the three corps looked the best from a spectator's point of view. The Ha— no, New Plymouth mvst take first honors, being an older body and having superior uniforms to both the others. Besides, two lady friends of mine said this was so. But Hawera comes second, although Inglewood drilled very well. Playing soldiers in a fast and furious style for so long a time whet the appetites of all ; and the three corps were marched down Devon-street about 1.30, and dismissed. The New Plymouth company paid the visitors a high compliment by providing I dinner at various hotels— Cottier's, Coomber's, and the Imperial— free of charge ; and excellent spreads they were, too. Oh, crumbs! didn't the red coats feed! There was that renowned — but never mind, I'll let you off this time, New Plymouth. They then had a couple of hours to spare to look round the Garden of New Zealand, or at least the glasshouse portion of it. The many old-fashioned faces and the quaintness of some of the buildings form a chapter of interest to the new-comer. But I must conclude. Most of the men returned home by the evening train ; but a few of the Hawera and Inglewood members stayed till to-day, for the purpose of firing in a rifle match in the afternoon. At Inglewood, Hawera men gave three hearty cheers for the Inglewood Volunteers, which were returned by them. A feature worthy of notice was the cordiality and friendliness which existed during the day between all the men.