THE VOLUNTEERS

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8149, 21 April 1887, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS

The Ashburton Volunteers paraded on Monday evening for the usual Government inspection. Both Rifles and Guards mustered well, and in sufflcient strength to make the parade count, with a little to spare. Major Douglas was the inspecting officer, and several battalion movements of a sort that could be gone through within the limits of the drilished were performed, ik~ being too dark to go to the parade ground outside. Taking the word from Captain Dolman, the men were put through a smart turn at manual exercise, with a view to correct several very apparent faults in both Companies. The institution of the now very frequent Government inspections has rather interfered with the attendance at company parades, and in consequence squad and company drills hare somewhat fallen behind, so that an occasional rub up in these and the details of rifle exercise on Government nights is anything but an unwise step. After parade, the Rifles met in the-orderly-room. Captain Dolman in the chair. The meeting was called, he said, to discharge a duty that had been laid upon the Company's Committee by the annual meeting recently held. On that occasion, the Company expressed its high appreciation of the past services of Major Douglas as its captain. Captain and Adjutant Rooks as one of its lieutenants. Captain Dolman as another of its lieutenants, and SergeantMajor Hayes as its color-sergeant, and decided to present each of these officers with a sword as souvenirs of their connection with the Ashburton Rifles, and as compliments to the Major, the Adjutant, and the Sergeant-Major, on their appointment to battalion positions. Unfortunately for the _ Company’s arrangements in this connection, each of these officers had supplied himself with ■ the weapon appertaining to his rank. The Committee, however, very sensibly decided not to let the testimonial take any other form, but as the swords were already in the gentlemen’s possession, to hand over to them the cheques these weapons represented. He had pleasure, therefore, in handing over a cheque for JSS 5a to each of the battalion officers present. Major Douglas, Captain, and Adjutant Pooks, and Sergeant-Major Hayes having each acknowledged the compliment paid them, the Senior Lieutenant said that Captain Dolman himself had formed one of the- " section of fours ” whom the Company delighted to honour. Bat as he presided at that meeting, he could not very well be the mouthpiece of his corps and present a testimonial to himself. It therefore devolved upon the speaker, as the next in rank, to take up his parable for the Company, and ask the Captain to receive his souvenir at the Company’s hands. In doing so he paid a high compliment to Captain Dolman’s ability as a drill instructor. The battalion appointments above referred to would have been the next thing to ruin to the Ashburton Rifles, but for the fact that Captain Dolman had been left to the Corps to take command, and the South Island did not contain his superior as a drill instructor. It was the highest tribute to the Company that could have been paid by Colonel Bailey when ha drew from its ranks no less than three of his most necessary battalion officers. Captain Dolman in a short pithy speech acknowledged the gift, and said the best compliment the members could pay him was never to miss a parade. After cheers had been given all round, the meeting adjourned, to pledge the Mayor and his confreres with “ hands all round.”