VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2519, 21 February 1872, Page 5

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

No. 1 Company Navals and Cadets meet for com• pany drill in JTort Britomart, this evenin" at half-past seven o'clock.

New Naval BniGADE.—A meeting of persons desirous ol joining the proposed neiv Naval Brigade was held at the Thames Hotel last evening. There was a very ejood attendance of seamen belonging to the port. Lieut. Snell, Instructor of Cavalry, Captain Siaitj (P.A.T.), and Capt. Featon, of the Artillery, were present. Mr. John Copland was Toted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed; after which the Chairman, made some remarks on tho proposed formal ion of the Brigade. He said members must be either boatmen or seamen. They would take one-third landsmen, who would rank us ordinary seamen, and would have to learn tho different duties before they would rank as A.B.'s. The Chairman also stated that they intended to establish a mutual benefit fund, so that in case of sickness the members would liiivo tho opportunity of having the best medical attendance, as well as relief. If any boatiimn, ii member of the Brigade, hud his boat injuroJ, and was too poor to pay for the repairing, it would be done by the Brigade. The Chairman stated that in limo, when°thpy had sulUcient funds in hand, they intended to build a Sailors' Homo. Tho two Nuvul companies now in existence were nol up to their work, and in case of a war, and boatmen bring wanted, the Government would have to bring the Militia Act into force and press men into tho service. He said this was one of the things they wanted to guard against. There was no doubt that in a little 'while masters and owners of vessels would become honorary members of the Brigade, and would no doubt take any of tho members into their employ when they winted hands. Tho scheme of the proposed Brigade was then rend, also the letter to tho Government offering their services. The members will pay Is. per week into the benefit fund. Tho entrance fees will be: Officers, £1 1 3 . ; warrant officers, 10i; potty officers, ss; aud men, 2s Gd. There will bo a general meeting called when the reply from the Government is received. The Chairman stated that nt tho en J of the week lie intended to hold a meeting at the North Shore, for tho purpose of seeing if they could receive any members there. He said he had no doubt that the Brigade would have no difficulty in obtaining the shed at the 3orth Shore, now used by H.M. ships for the purpose of keeping their boats, Ac. Alsu, Miat the Thames Naval Brigade would amalgamate with the Brigade. Some twenty men then came forward and put their names down ns willing to join the Brigade, making 53 in all. After a vote of thanks to the chairman had been proposed and carried, the meeting terminated.

Members of the Auckland Rifle Association are informed that luo trustees of the Mouut Eden ride range hare placed the range and murker at their service on Wednesday afte. - noons from 1 till -1 o'ck>i>. nn< * OQ Fridays from 5 o'clock till eunset, tj'Ji further orders. A meeting of Volunteers iov" re3te( l '"the challenge from twenty of tho l"v unes Volunteers, will be held in the Drill-shed, .to-morrow evening.