THE VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7528, 18 April 1885, Page 5

THE VOLUNTEERS .

Some of our recruits, in their military and patriotic excitement, seem to have been carried to lengths which cool reflection will show them are rather too far, Mr J. B. Whyte informs us that while riding along the North Belt yesterday afternoon, about 5.30, some young men, who have just joined the Volunteers, were practising firing in a paddock not more than 200 yards from the Belt. They had erected an impromptu target, at which one of them fired just as Mr Whyte was passing. He missed, and the hall just grazed the brim of Mr Whyte’s hat. The mark shows that Mr Whyte had a very narrow escape." Our young warriors must restrain their ardour a little, or they will he doing more damage than the problematical enemy they are preparing to resist. There was a good muster of the members of the Canterbury Scottish Rifles at the Drillshed last evening. The men were drilled by Staff-Sergeant-Major Finn, and Captain and Adjutant Newall, who was present, congratulated them on their orderly behaviour. After drill, a meeting was held, when the following were elected officers of the Company: Captain, Mr Patrick Campbell; Lieutenants, Messrs E. R. Anderson and John Reid. The Provisional Committee were authorised to transact any business that might be necessary. One or two additional members were sworn in. The Company now numbers 57, and there are several others intending to join, so that the Company will he brought up to the full strength. A meeting was held in tho Lyttelton Colonists’ Hall on Friday, at the request of the Mayor, to arrange for the formation of a Rifle Club, to encourage proficiency in shooting for defence purposes. There was a moderate attendance, and a number of persona signed as willing to join tho Club. Our Geraldine correspondent writes that, taking advantage of the visit of the Hon the Defence Minister to Timaru, Mr A. Fisher, tho Hon Secretary to the Geraldine Volunteer Rifle Corps, telegraphed to the Hon J. Ballance yesterday (Friday), asking him to reply officially if the corps wore accepted." During the course of tho day he received a reply in the affirmative. No delay will now occur in swearing the members in and enrolling them. It has often been thrown into the teeth of the English people that their tight little “ island ” is a nation of shopkeepers. Such they may be, but whenever called on for the protection of the Empire, they have manfully responded to duty’s call, and now, even in the tar inland township of Geraldine, a martial spirit permeates the male portion of the community. Now that the local Volunteer Rifle Corps has been accepted by Government, it is proposed to establish a Cavalry Corps in the same district. Accordingly, a meeting of those favourable to the formation of the corps and desirous of joining the same will be held in the Bush Hotel, Geraldine, on Monday evening next. At the present time, says the Wellington Post, 85 members of the Armed Constabulary force are receiving instruction in artillery work at the Mount Cook barracks. The course of drill is somewhat severe, and every man is earning every penny he receives from Government. The daily drills occupy seven and a half hours. The first commences at 6.30 a.m.,andis of an hour and a half’s duration; the second extends from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; the third is from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. ; and the fourth is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. There are four instructors. All of them are thoroughly qualified men, and the force to whom they are imparting instruction is making very satisfactory progress. Fifty-five out of the 85 are learning to work big guns, the remainder being instructed in the use of the gin, a contrivance employed to move cannon about. By means of the gin in use at the barracks, one man finds no difficulty in lifting a piece of artillery weighing nearly a ton and a half. Major Goring and Captains Coleman and Gudgeon take part in every drill, occupying positions in the ranks. Another detachment of men is expected from the North shortly, tho intention being to have over 100 members of the force capable of working the big guns which are being erected for the protection of the four chief ports of the Colony.