NO. 5 COMPANY AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1399, 12 May 1868, Page 3

NO. 5 COMPANY AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

A general MBRHNCr of the members of this Cornpan v was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall for the purpose of electing g. Secretary to the Company, acd also a member of the Managing Committee. Corporal McLood u-as elected Secretary, pi a ton, in the absence of the Secretary, who is now at the Thames. Sergeant Courtney was also elected a member of the Managing Committee. After the business was disposed of, the Company, under the command of Captain Derrom, was put through the various evolutions of skirmishing drill, loading and firing from the knee, &c., in the whole of which the Company acquitted themselves verv creditably. We believe it is the intention of Lieut. Colonel Kenny to inspect the whole of the Volunteers about the 27th instant, and intends to try them in skirmishing drill. Blank cartridge will be served out to them for this purpose, and in order to perfect the Company in this branch of military tactic?, the members will meet every Monday evening, at seven o'clock.

While on this subject, we may notice that the new rifle ground at Mount Eden will shortly bo in working order. This convenience to the riflemen has long been needed, aa the old rifle range at Point Chevalier is too distant from town to be of any practir.il use to the "Volunteers, and this, in a great measuie, is the cause of the bad scoras that have lately been made in the prize firing. However, they will have no excuse when the new ground is open, and three men have been at work for some time, under the direction of Mr..Soall, at Mount Eden, and it is expeoted that in, another month it will be open for praotice, and then our volunteers will have an opportunity, of retrieving their lost honor. It is intended to plant a row of white posts outside the line of fire, on some of which'red flags will be placed, as also at each end .of the firing range, so that every precaution will be taken .to guaid against accidents during practice.' The. volunteers, we believe, will have to appeal to , the public to assist them to pay for this improvement, apdiwe hope :to see' them liberal in the matter, lor unless they do, the whole expense will have, to come out of the of the volunteers. The drill .shed,,in,.Princes-street has also "been thoroughly .fitted up, for the purpose for -which it is intended, and no pains have been* spared to make it perfect. Gas has. been laid on and every convenience furnished, so that the volunteers of Auckland ought now to be the crack,corps of New Zealand. If .they are.not it is their own fault.