CANTERBURY RESERVE CORPS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7524, 14 April 1885, Page 6

CANTERBURY RESERVE CORPS.

A general meeting of the members of the Canterbury Eeserve Corps was held at the City Council Chambers at 4 p.m. yesterday. About 50 gentlemen were present. The Hon the Minister for Defence and Colonel Eeader were present by invitation. His Worship the Mayor took the chair, at the request of the Hon Colonel Brett, who had explained that he did not wish to take any official action in connection with the corps until his commission as Commandant had been gazetted. The Mayor said that the meeting had been called for the purpose of electing officers and for other business. The Hon the Minister for Defence and Colonel Eeader had kindly consented to be present, and he believed that Mr Ballance had something to say to the meeting. The Hon J. Ballance, who was received with ajmlause, said that he had heard with a great deal of pleasure the intimation that a Eeserve Corps was to be formed in Christchurch (hear, hear) especially when he was made acquainted with the details. His colleagues had shared in his satisfaction, not only because it showed that people in Christchurch were willing to defend themselves, but because they had set an example to the whole Colony. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that in all parts of the Colony people not liable to serve in the Volunteers or Militia would be willing to come forward and assist to defend their own shores. (Applause.) The question of regulations would be left very much to the corps. There were no provisions in the regulations for corps of precisely this kind, though there was provision for a Eeserve Corps of Volunteers, who were entitled to retain their arms. He did not think, however, that any difficulty would arise as to the corps making its own regulations. The members would not be required unless war broke out, and in that case an order could be issued placing them under the control of the officer commanding the district for active service. If the present Volunteer regulations were not applicable, he would be very happy to introduce a short amending Act, giving the members power to make regulations for themselves. (Hear, hear.) The question of defence was at the present time of considerable urgency. The Government and people saw that at any time the Colony, as a portion of the Empire, might be involved in war. They had no voice at present in making war or peace, but they were content to let the right of doing so rest with the Imperial Government, and to abide by the issue, attending, however, to the duty of defending their own shores. The Colony was never in a better position than now for turning its attention to the question of external defence, as the Native difficulty had virtually disappeared. Indeed, wherever he had gone among the Natives he had found a most friendly feeling, and a desire, moreover, to work in line with the Colonists. (Hear, hear.) He might say that he had received communications from several most influential Native chiefs in the North Island, offering to place the services of large bodies of men at the disposal of the Government in the event of hostilities. (Hear, hear.) This was very satisfactory, and the more so as the offer came at a most opportune moment. There had been a disposition on the part of some people to treat the reserve corps movement rather lightly, but he himself looked upon it in a most serious light. (Hear, hear.) He believed that the corps would be able to hold its own with any Volunteer corps in the matter of defence. (Hear, hear.) He did not anticipate that there was any immediate danger of Eussia, or any other power, attempting to land a large force. It would be a very risky thing for Eussia to send a body of men to take possession of New Zealand. - There was, however, urgent danger from cruisers, as an enemy would, of course, wish to injure English commerce. It was very much better to get ready now than to wait until the actual outbreak of war, and do things in a hurry. He believed that the time must come, sooner or later, when England must fight Eussia near- Afghanistan—(hear, hear) —as was believed by Lord Beaconsfield. The defence of the Colony need not cost much, and expenditure on it must be looked upon only in the light of an insurance premium, which should be paid to ensure safety. (Hear, hear.) Part of the expense of maintaining an English fleet in these waters would be a very reasonable portion of that insurance premium. (Hear, hear.) Proposals on the subject would be submitted to the House next session, and he was sure would be received with unanimity by all sides of the House. (Applause.) In conclusion, he might say that he was very pleased at the movement initiated in Christchurch, and hoped it would spread to other parts of the Colony. The Government had sent down the Sniders for the coips, and he would be very happy to place at their disposal a number of Martini-Henry rifles when they arrived. (Hear, hear.) He wished to impress upon the members not to go in for any new-fashioned rifles, but to take those used by the British army. (Applause.)

The Hon Colonel Brett thanked Mr Ballance for attending the meeting, and for explaining the views of the Government on defence. He also thanked Colonel Reader for his attendance. He moved a vote of thanks to those gentlemen, which was carried by acclamation. Mr Ballance briefly acknowledged the vote, and said that Government would be happy to assist the corps in any way. He requested the members to excuse Colonel Reader and himself, as they had other engagements to attend to. The Hon J. Ballance and Colonel Reader then left the room.

The meeting proceeded to the election of officers, which resulted as follows : —Major, Captain R. G. D. Tosswill, late H.M. 99fch Regiment; Captain of No. 1 Company, Mr R. J. S. Harman ; Lieutenants, No. 1 Company, Messrs C. C. Bowen and G. Harper ; Surgeon, Dr Frankish. Mr Harman said that he had thought that, as the Mayor had really been the founder of the corps, his Worship should have been elected Captain. His Worship, however, had declined on the ground that his public and business engagements would not permit of his devoting sufficient time to the duties.

It was explained that officers for the other companies would be elected as the companies were formed. The Mayor said that he had learned from Mr Ballance that provision was made in the regulations for the formation of a reserve consisting of Volunteers who had served for five years. The corps now being formed would constitute a nucleus, and in future would probably grow into a force of very considerable strength. He had received a number of letters from persons who were desirous of joining the corps, but who could not afford to pay the amount of the subscription. He would like to know what the corps wished to do with such applications, which came from a most desirable class of men. Colonel Brett would also like to have an expression from the members on the subject.

Mr Graham thought that such cases should be left to the commanding officer, who would be at liberty bo use the contributions of honorary members to pay for the arms of men who could not afford to pay for them themselves, but whose names could be kept private. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor said that the course suggested was exactly in accordance with his own ideas.

It was decided that the suggestion should be adopted.

The Mayor stated that the appointment of non-commissioned officers would be made by the commanding officer shortly, and would be notified in the newspapers. Several matters of detail were deferred

till a meeting of the officers and non-com-missioned officers could be held. The meeting then adjourned.

Yesterday afternoon, Captain Joyce and Lieutenants Linn and Hobday, of the Sydenham Eifles, had an interview with the Hon J. Ballance with reference to certain points in the Volunteer regulations, which, it is considered,-require amendment. Mr Ballance received his visitors -very courteously, and promised to give attention to what they represented to him. • The chief points alluded to were the raising of the maximum strength of companies to 100, by the addition of supernumerary members, on whom capitation cannot be claimed; the alteration of the times of enlistment, so as to allow of men being sworn in at any time, instead of only in January and July as at present; and the advisability of permitting Commanding Officers of companies to swear in recruits, as at present considerable inconvenience is caused by the fact that only a Justice of the Peace can receive the oaths of intending Volunteers.