THE VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13886, 21 October 1905, Page 8

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The Canterbury Mounted paraded about fifty strong at .their, orderly-room on Thursday, _ and were exercised in manual and firing exercises by Sergeant-Major Carr. After parade Mr Barker was unanimously eject* ( ed lieutenant. . ' The new volunteer which , have just been gazetted provide for. an increase of the Christchurch. Cycle ; Corps, namely, 1 captain,; 3 lieuten- ■ ants, 5 sergeants,' 1 corporals, giving a total strength of , iO, as against the original of 27'a1l told. The reason of the increase is that a signalling section of 34 men should ho provided, who will learn army signalling in all its branches, while the other ‘ portion of the corps will be trained as expert scouts in reconnoitring, despatch work,’ etc. V ' The Wairaakariri Mounted Rifles, now in camp at West Melton, commenced work in earnest on Monday morning at 5.30. The company engaged in dismounted drill for an hour before breakfast, receiving instruction in manual and firing exercises. There was a mounted parade at 9 o’clock, the squadron being put through, squadron movements and diamond screen work: In the afternoon 'the squadron practis- • ed advanced and rear-guard actions. In the evening Staff Sergeant-Major Canning gave a lecture on ■ discipline and care of arms. The first issue of tha camp paper appeared on Monday morning at reveille, and was sold out in half ■ an hour. The members of No. 5 Company Garrison Artillery Volunteers (Lyttelton Navals) • went into camp at Fort Jervois, Ripa Island, on Thursday even.. ing. The company mustered 'seventy strong at the Lyttelton Drillshed, under Captain Foster and Lieutenant Gill,'-and, headed by the Marine Band, under Bandmaster Collins, marched to the wharf, where they embarked on the s.s. Purau and proceeded to the fort. A detachment of five’ members: of the Christchurch Bearer Corps, under Corporal Thompson, accompanied them. As the buildings on Ripa Island would not accommodate all the men some were lodged in tents, which leaked during the rain of the night, and gave their occupants ah, uncomfortable time. The company will be in: camp for sixteen days, drilling in the mornings and evenings. The members return to their civil employment during the daytime. ■