INSPECTION OF VOLUNTEERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 73, 28 March 1867, Page 2

INSPECTION OF VOLUNTEERS.

Yesterday afternoon the first monthly inspection of the entire Volunteer Corps which bas beeu organized iu this city, took place at five o'clock at the Botanical Gardens, and the novelty of the spectacle bad the effect of attracting a large concourse of spectators to the scene of action, including a considerable number of ladies, who appeared to take much interest in the various manoeuvres. The Hon. Major Morse, commanding the district, accompanied by Captain Junor, the inspector of Volunters, (who is now ou an official visit to this city) arrived on the ground at 5 o'clock, and was received by the force, which had been drawn up in open order, the whole column presenting arms. Previous to this, the various corps present, including No. 1 Company of the City Rifles, commanded by Captain M'Tavish, 56 in number ; the Cadet Rifles, under Captain Wigzell, 60 stroug; and the Artillery Cadet Corps, under Captain Pitt, wbich at present numbers about 36 members, making a total of 142, had been exercised iu a variety of evolutions by Capt. M'Tavish, the senior captaiD present, who acted as brigade officer ou tbe occasion. The arms and accoutrements having been inspected by Major Morse, the whole force broke into open column, rigbt aud front, and passed in review, quick time. They were then put through the manual exercise by Captain and Adjutant Lockett, aud immediately afterwards, No. 1 Company were thrown out as skirmishers, the Cadet Corps supporting them, the Artillery Cadets forming th? reserve. A brisk fire was then opened, aud after

various manoeuvres executed very creditably by the City Rifles, they were relieved by the Cadets, who acquitted themselves certainly with equal precision and address with their older comrades, whose military bearing was the theme of general surprise and admiration. Finally, the skirmishers having been recalled, and wheeled into line, volleys were fired by tbe companies from the right, with most commendable precision, and No. 1 and the Artillery liaviug been wheeled inwards, the Major addressed the force, giving expression to his high gratification at the satisfactory manner in which they had executed the various manoeuvres, and urging upon them the paramount necessity of regular attendance at drill. Three hearty cheers were then given for Major Commanding, and tbe Volunteers

were then marched, through the city to the drill shed in Hardy-street, where they were dismissed. We may observe, ihatthe Artillery Cadets made their first appearance on this occasion in their new aud becoming uniform, and although from the more recent date of their orgauisation it could hardly be expected that they would exhibit equal proficiency witb their comrades of the other corps, still they proved that their drill had not beeu without satisfactory results, and gave promise that at the next inspection they would show to still greater advantage. The whole proceeding w.s unquestionably a success, and no doubt the monthly recurrence of the .inspection will be regarded with no small interest, by our chizens geuerally.

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