WHANGAREI RIFLES.

Northern Advocate, 2 July 1887, Page 3

WHANGAREI RIFLES.

An Inspection parade of the Corps was held on Saturday evening by Capt Storey, at which about 40 members were present. The corps were put through the drill by the Captain and then dismissed in order to attend the special meeting called for that evening. SPECIAL MEETING. According to a circular issued, a special meeting was held for there-organization of the Company. Capt. Storey occupied the : chair, and there were also present Leiutenant McKenzie and about 40 rank and file. Capt. Stobev. opened the proceedings by explaining the nature of the meeting. He said that there was only very few of the meuibers of the^coqaswho attended their inspections; and *T_^*t_s ?te^r^^t_tended the.? w.eekly.^l^ Ilns Was not aa _To<ProQ-TwvTtauJiß ; _wifeci_t -to. know the reason. -" The company,-- he^saidj wei^e on a f ar better footing financially than they used to be. He had been seven years in tho corps and had beon trying his utmost dur- . ing that period to keep tho corps together, and' to work off the debt, which he had succeeded in doing. It was now for the company to' decide whether or not the names of members not attending should be struck off the roll. He had made up his mind to strike off several members now away from the district, but he would like an expression of opinion how to act with the other members not away from the district, namely those;who|could, but won'tatteud. If he was the cause of the disorganization, .he was quito willing to resign in somebody else's favour, brt he would not like' to see the company disorganized altogether. He would like to take a show of hands. to test the feeling of the company as to whether he was wanted as captain or not. He thought the members of the band showed the corps a very good example, as they were always punctual in their attendance. He then again asked if he was the cause of the disorganization of the corps P Loud cries of "No, no," greeted this question, and a vote of confidence in tho Captain was called for, and was responded to with cheers. Coporal Steadman proposed that Col. Serg. Thomas produce the attendance book, and read the list of members who attend weekly drills. Col. Serg. Thomas produced the hook, and explained that it would take sometime to go through everybody's name, but one thing he could state, that the hook showed that the attendance of the Lieutenants was the worst of the lot. Cop. Steadman pointed out that it was a disgrace to the corps, and he was sorry to have to say it, hut it was the unanimous feeling of all present, that the Lieutenants never attended drill. He had been here overy evening during the last six months and he could positively state that he had never seen a lieutenant attend _ driil during that period. At not one single drill during the present year has a . lieutenant been present. He thought their names should he struck off the list. Volunteer Molleb, although not disagreeing altogether with the last speaker's remarks, thought Lieutenant McKenzie's name should be excepted as he was a very popular man. Corp. Sthasman thought that he should certainly be struck off with the other, unless he c«uld show sufficient reason for not .'attending. - Lieutenant .MoKenzie then proceeded, to make an explanation. He thought it was unfair of Corp. Steadman to attach them in the way he had done. Lieutenant Bust was not present, and he should be attacked Tirhen he had a chance of replying, it was attattohg-a man behind his back. With regard to himself, he contended that he had good reasons for stopping away Some time ago he was placed in charge of the Kauri contingent, and had regularly!! drilled £his|men. Lately a number of his members had been away, and the drills had fallen through. Although he lived over ten miles from here, he wad quite willing to ride in and take his turn in drilling the men, but it was very disheartening to ride- all that distance and then to find six or eight men to drill. Bandmaster Dobbie said he had been in tho volunteers in Scotland and elsewhere. It was the practise there to drill recruits often, but those members who knew their drill were exempt from attending oftener than once a month. He thought that this might he put in practise here. Volunteer H. McKenzie took exception to some remarks of Lieutenant McKenzie. He had charged Corn. Steadman with attacking Lieu. Bust behind his back. He had received a notice as they had to attend, and it was his own fault if he was not present. This was the proper place to discuss company -affairs, and he agreed with Corn. Steadman. He thought that the Bandmaster s remarks were to the point, and would move, " That the drills he held fortnightly, and be made of two hours duration, from seven io nine." This was seconded hy Corp. Williams and carried. Corp. Steadman moved, "That the subscriptions be collected for the past six months, that the capitation money be recovered from those who did not qualify last year/ that the names of those who have not attended a fair proportion of tho drills be struck off the list, and their arms and accoutrements called' in." This wits seconded hy Bandsman Jenkins. Sergt. MoKenzie moved as an: amendment, " That the subscriptions be collected for the last six months." He thought bygones should be bygones, and they might start afresh from the beginning of the year. This was seconded by Vol. Tothill and carried. As this did not get over the question of striking out the names,

Bandmaster Dobbie moved " That the roll be gone through now, and the names of all the members who have not attended one-fourtli of the drills be struck off." This was seconded by "Vol. Steadman and carried unanimously. Vol. Moller gave notice that he would not remain longer in tho company. Capt. Stobey thought the officers should be excepted, they should be given a chance to resign and not be struck off the roll. He then called for a further explanation from Lieu. McKenzie, which was satisfactorily given, that officer Btating that he was not aware he was neglecting his duty, and promising to take his share in the future, y The roll was then gone; through and the following names at once erased : Sergs. Cox and McLeod, Vols- H. Love, McDonald, N. McKenzie, G. North, E. O. Weaver, W. Wood, T. A. Turley, T. Cleary, J. Hood, H. Joen, A. Dent, J. Pearson* S. Bedlington, Morey (by request), P. Carter. M. McPhee, B. M. Dent, Moller (by request). This made a total of 20 names It was unanimously ag^e^ that Messrs Cox and McLeod be made Honorary Sergeants of the corps, in consideration of the great services they had rendered the corps in the past. Corp. Steadman proposed, and Vol; B.v Tothill seconded " That Messrs' J. P. Sharp, J. Guilding, J. Wilson, and C. Mackin, be members of this corps. Capt. Stobey pointed out that as there were now vacancies for three sergeants in tho company; he would proceed to appoint new ones. Corporals Steadman, Williams and Haswell would now be appointed 'to the rank of sergeants. The appointments were carried with cheers. This however would' leave room tor four corporals, and he would have, to select them also. Vol. M. Steadman -was proposed and elected.- Vol. Moller wrs prevailed upon to withdraw his resignation and was also elected. Seamen Vail was ''then 'chosen and elected. Vols. D. McKenzie and K. Tothill were also proposed, and as there was only.- one vacancy, they retired, and a show or' hands was taken for each, which resulted in 'McKenzie 16, Tothill 6. Vol. McKenzie was twgefore elected. ''"* • "" THE PROPOSED DBIIi-SHED. .^* This subject then came on for discussion. Capt Storey pointed'out that he had been in cdifamunication with the Government, and had > received a promise,- that if a section of land was ' conveyed to the Queen, \i»Ji_ed at £125 and a further sum of £100 was" forth coming from the company or by subscription' they were prepared to give £ for £^or a rortheaj £226 towards the erection of a shed. ' NOwsS with the liberal offer of Mr Loram of £30, hef had the £100 in the bank, and there were two sections to decide between. One was that of Mr Wood's, almost opposite the Hall, and the other was one in close prox" -nity to tho Com-, mercial Hotel, of whion he was the' owner. If no other section jffas selectod on, he was was willing to part^".* 'th this one, although he had a larger offer than the sum mentioned from a private party. Of course the land would have to be vested ent?rely in the Queen, and the money renfaining thereon he would have no security for. ' --_....■•;■ This liberal offer of the Captain's was immediately taken up, and it was unanimously agreed ts accept his section. It was thenproposedjby Sergt. Steadman, and seconded by Corp. Moller, •' That a committee consist, .g of Sergts. Haswell, Steadman,. Williams, and Thomas, bo a committee to supervise matters, prepare plans, etc., and that Bandmaster Dobbie be Inspector of Works^ Carried unanimously. i&^ : .'iilt was agreed that the Hall be erected entirely by members of the corps. Sergt. Steadman volunteered to prepare the conveyance of the land to the Queen free of cost. This offer was accepted with cheers. ■■ *' Serg. McKenzie moved and Vol. Tothill-; seconded " That all arrangements be left in the hands of the committee, and the shed proceeded with as soonas possible." Corp. Moilbb moved as an amendment, "That the plans be submitted to the corps for their approval." He would notlike to see the Hall erected and af terward»3 found fault with. This was" seconded by Seigt. Steadman and carried. _«ili«iiilll^_ Throe hearty cheei _ vj^^^^^Hk^^jhe Captain, and t%<ne^j^^^^^^^^^l^lß