THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS AND THE GARRISON GUARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 977, 22 March 1862, Page 3

THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS AND THE GARRISON GUARD.

On Monday evening last the garrison duties of this city, for the second time, paHHed into the bands of our Rifle Volunteers. A» the premier company, the Royals furnished the first guard, and were deployed {'or duty in the Albert Barracks at 7 o'clock p.m. We hud hoped to see, after the general meeting of Volunteers hold on Monday last, a large accession to our volunteer force. Wo wish we could now state that our expectations had been realised. To perform the garrison duty of this city will require about 25 men, each 24 hours; it necessarily follows that, with the present force of 276 men, each man's turn will come round once in twelve days. Laying aside this man's or that man's opinion of the Government regulations, we put it to the people of Auckland, is it either fair or honourable to shift the duties, which clearly belong to all, upon the shoulders of a few P We do not think, when they look at the matter in this light, that they will allow the possibility of such a slur being cast upon their manliness to remain for a moment. More particularly would we call the attention of the wealthier class to the duty which devolves upon them in giving their support to this movement in their own persons, and by the encouragement they are able to afford to those dependent on them. The remarks which Capt. Daldy made the other evening on this point are worthy of consideration, and unless every facility is afforded by the employers of the young men in this city, the volunteer movement cannot proceed as it ought to do. Loud exception was taken at the meeting by one fluent speaker, who usually sacrifices largely upon the altar of bunkum. j to the speech of " Canon Stowell," but let the people of Auckland beware, not so much of the strictures of persons at a distance as of allowing their own deeds of omission to rise up in judgment '■'. against them. It is very well for the British Lion | to roar and jash his tail when stirred up at a public; meeting, but if his ordinary demeanour is that of a j slinking cur, turning aside from every danger with ! a whine, his character is more likely to be judged , from the less honourable point of" view, and not; unjustly. Instead of 276, the number of members j of the corps should have amounted by this time to \ more than double the number. " Bis dat gui cito dat," and he who at once comes forward with his service to the country, not only fulfils his duty to \ that country, but lightens the labour of his fellow-1 citizens, on whom, because they are willing and! ready, he ought not in justice to allow the whole j burthen to remain. There are many who prefer to | remain in the militia, but there are no reasons why j they should not as such volunteer to share in the | above duty.— New Zealander, Feb. 26.