OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7927, 2 August 1886, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

TttK E BATTBBY. The E Battery of Artillery is fortunate ' in possessing such guns as the three ninepounder Armstrongs which arrived front Wellington on Saturday, and were lodged. in the Battery's gunshed in the afternoon. ' They are handy weapons, about two feet shorter than the twelve-pounder formerly belonging to the Battery. This was over 7ft long, while the length of the ninepounder is sft 2in, The effective range of the latter is 3000 yards—nearly a mile and three-quarters. The carriages are of iron ; the wheels, which are 6ft in height, being, as usual, of wood. The carriages are painted a dark grey colour, and present a> neat and compact appearance. The guns are completely equipped with all the latest improvements, and are accompanied with acomplete outfit of all necessary stores. They have, apparently, never been used, and are in good order, though, from their long sojourn in store, they are in need of sv cleaning, which Captain Martin has made . arrangements for them to receive at onceThe ammunition for use with the guns ie not yet to hand, but is expected shortly. FIRST CANTEBBtJSY BATTALION. The battalion badges of the First Canterbury Battalion have been received, from England, and distributed among the various Companies. They are to be worn' by officers and men on the forage caps and collars. The design consists of the anna of the Province, on a ground of bin* < velvet, enclosed within a circle, placed upon a union cross, formed by the crosses of St George, St Patrick, and- St Andrew. On the circle, which is surmounted by set imperial crown, with crimson velvet cap* are the words, "First Canterbury Bias Battalion," and the motto, "Pr» Aritat Focis." The officers' badges are of sterling silver, while those for the men are of whitemetal. The badges, which have bees admirably executed by Messrs Jennens, «f" London, and which reflect great credit ost the taste of the officer who designed than, are, it may be noted, in keeping with those now worn by troops of the line, the Militia* and the Volunteer battalions at Home. The adoption of a badge for the whole battalion is, undoubtedly, a step in the right direction, and should tend to promote mat unity among the various companies, without _ which a battalion can never be efficient. The union cross—typical of .the three nationalities of the Volunteers—and, indeed, the whole design, are most appropriate, and should cause all wearing thebadge to realise that they form one body with one object, to which all else must be ' subordinated. It is proposed to obtain helmet badges for the battalion shortly.