THE MARLBOROUGH VOLUNTEERS

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 136, 19 September 1868, Page 3

THE MARLBOROUGH VOLUNTEERS

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir,- On reading last Saturday’s Express my eye caught the General Government Estimates, wherein I saw that the Marlborough Volunteers were to receive no capitation allowance for the year ; but other Volunteers were to receive 255. per annum for every efficient member. Now, Sir, I am at a loss to know the reason of this; 1 am sure we have done no king to this stopped, no more than any'other, province ; but, Sir, the public will say, “What good are the Volunteers in this province ?” (I know they do). To that question I will answer are we not as good as any other Volunteers on this Island ? have we not for years stood second to none but Otago for shoo i ig? whereas Otago contains 500, aid Marlborough not 100 That is, Tamsu 6, it the Marlborough Volunteers a'great honor. Ami there again do we not spend every shilling, together with our own subscriptions, id the pro*

vwice. But, 3ir, I know the reamta of this : the Wairau member was never in favor of us. For why?—The. province had to pay for it; but don’t the province pay him and his influential friends a lot-of money.—For what ? For warming their shins by the public firewood But that, says they, is nothing; we are gentlemen, and we must not work for a living like you poor fools. Now, Mr. Editor, I am sorry that I should have to expose my fellow-men ; but 1 maintain that we have a right to get grants as well as other Volunteers ij other provinces, so that by those grants we may keep our targets in repair, &c. in conclusion, I that if his Honor will not propose a grant for us, > 'antain Kenny will 1 am sure ; and that the Marlborough Volunteers will be placed on the same footing aa other Volunteers, is the only wish of yours, &c., A Volunteer. Blenheim, Sept. 16th, 1868.