OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 8034, 6 December 1886, Page 5

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

On. Friday evening, 23 members of the City Guards, under Captain Bishop, camped at the rifle range. They went through their class firing next morning. On Saturday afternoon about 35 of the Sydenham Rifles, under Lieutenant Hobday, did their firing. Arrangements have been made for the Christchurch Rifles to do theirs next Saturday afternoon.

The members of the N Battery Artillery, Lyttelton, received their first instruction in garrison gun drill on Friday last, when about 36 members, under Lieutenant MTntyre, mustered at one of the 04 pounders stationed at port. SergeantMajor Wardell, of the Regular Artillery, after explaining the various parts of the gun, put the men through the drill, which, for a first trial, was done very satisfactorily. After the drill, a meeting was held for the purpose of electing a second Lieutenant, but was adjourned until after parade to-night. Mr J. T. Brice, of London street, has presented the Company with a handsome silver medal, to be competed for at shooting by those members of the Company who have not previously won a prize. An additional eight men were sworn into the ranks of the North Canterbury Rifle Corps on Saturday night, and il* is expected that there will be another batch join on Tuesday. The number of men now sworn in being sufficient to warrant the next step being taken in the organisation of the Company, it is necessary for those who intend to join to come forward at once, so that their papers can be forwarded to Major Newall without delay. Although the result of the recent public meeting held to give an opportunity for joining was not altogether encouraging, there is now evidently more interest exhibited in the Company, and it is likely to go ahead. The men who have joined have not taken the oath without consideration; consequently, they may confidently be expected to take the liveliest interest in their Company’s welfare.