OTAHUHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1899, 16 February 1870, Page 3

OTAHUHU.

| ITbiday last being the monthly parade day, the Otahuhu troop of R.C.V. assembled at the Critirfou Hotel, and went through the drill with evident satisfaction to themselves. .The attendance of members »as small compared to its nominal roll. It appears the Otahuhu troop are possessed of the s.me spirit of indifference as the other corps of Volunteers, althoughit is the oldest in the Province. It is a matter of deep reproach on the young and able bodied settlers of the district, that they have not more of the Volunteer spirit in them. After parade the troop adjourned to the Criterion Hotel, and held a meeting to take into consideration the following letter: — " "Waiuku, January 15, 1870. " Sir, —T have the honor to inform you that I have been requested by the "Waiuku troop R.C.V. to propose that the live cavalry troops, viz., the Otahuhu, Auckland, Howick troops R C.V., the Prince Alfred Light Horse, and the Waiuku troop R C.V., should join in » carbine match on something like the following terms: — " That ten men be chosen from each troop as competitors. " That the ranges be 100, 200, and 300 yards. " That each troop fire on its own ground. "That each troop put down £10 as a sweepstakes, to be divided into the following prizes : —Troop making best scors, £25; troop making second score, £15 ; troop making third score, £10. " That a committee, composed of one member of each troop, meet in Auckland on a day to be named, in order to make the necessary arrangements. " You will doubtless coincide with us in the belief that it is most desirable to make, the members of the Volunteer Cavalry as good marksmen as possible, and that no n.ore ettec,tual mode can be devised than by encouraging competition between the various troops. " Should your troop approve of this suggestion, I will feel obliged by your informing me as soon as possible, so that the necessary preliminary arrangements can be made in time | to havo the shooting off during the present summer.—l have, &c., " W. J. Harris, Captain. " Captain Bassett." A good deal of discussion took place, in which Lieut. Runciman, A: V. L. Hooks, Corporal TicUlepenny, Privates Brown and-Crane took part, the whole resulting in Captain Bassett being requested to forward a copy of the following letter : — " Otahuhu, February, 11,1570. " Sir, —I have the honor to inform you that I have now laid the proposition mentioned in your letter, dated 15th January, 1870, before the troop under my command. There appears to be a general wish on the part of the troop to meet the Waiuku troop in a friendly encounter ; but there is also a feeling, against each troop firing on its own ground, and were that not the case, I think targets sufficient could not be obtained for all to compete on the same day. The Otahuhu troop, therefore hope that arrangements may be made for all the troops to meet at Drury, and spend two days in a somewhnt similar manner to the way we (£.«.) the Waiuku and Otahuhu Troops spent several days there before; say, one day for firing, and one in which we might parade in uniform, &c." , Mr. 11. R. Troup, Papakura, was elected a member of the troop.