VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2519, 21 February 1872, Page 7

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

ANNUAL INSPECTIONS. Prince Alfhed Liout House.—Tho annual insueciion of the above corps took placo at -1 o'clock p.m. on Jan. 31, in Albert BarracUs. Only eighteen members assembled, exclusive of the commanding officer, Captain Smith. The men were put through the sword exercise, and a number of other movements. The sword exercise was gone through in capital style, and tho other manoeuvres wero alao very creditably executed. At the conclusion of the inspection, Col. Harington briefly addressed the men. He complimented them on the manner in which they had guno through their drill, but found great fault with the attendance, as out of a muster rjll of forty, only eighteen had put iu an appearance. He also found fault with the accoutrements, which in many cases were very lar from being complete. In speaking of the attendance, ho recommended tiie captain to strike olf the names of those who wero absent for two consecutive monthly parades.

Auckland Troop.—This troop waa inspected immediately after the inspection of the i'rinee Alfred jjigliL Horse. Wo cannot, however, sjy tlmt tiie munteuvrea were gone through, anything liko so well us in the case of the Prince Alfred Light Horde. At the conclusion of tho inspection the Colonel made a fen - remarks, which were not at all complimentary to the troop. Tlie attendance was very small in proportion to tlie numbers on the roll. Lieuteuuut May was in command.

AitriLLEar VoLCXTEEKS. —The inspection of this corps took piuce at G o'clock. They came on the ground about 30 strong, exclusive of tlie band, and about 25 Cadets, in charge of Captain Jforressy. The corps were put through a variety of evolutions, which they executed in a most creditable stylo. The officers present wero Captains J?oaton, Lieutenant Isaacs, and Sub-Lieutenant l'oley. At the conclusion of tlie review Colonel llaringlon complimented tho men and also tho Cadets very highly upon the manner in which they had gone through their drill.

Tub En'GlN'eeks.—The inspection of this corps took place at seven o'clock. About fifty men turned up on parade, and presented a very soldierly appearance. Tho officers present were Capt. Dargaville, Lieut. Anderson, and Ensign Kitchen. The men wero put through Liie manual, platoon, and skirmishing drill. The first two were executed with great precision, but the skirmishing showed a want of practice. Tho marching and wheeling were exceedingly good. Indeed, on the whole, we may very safely say tuat tlie different mautouvres wero an improvement upon anything hitherto seen from the Auckland Volunteers. Colonel Harington highly complimented tha men upon the inspection, the superiority of which he attributed to the silence kept in the ranks. About fifty men mustered on parade altogether. The inspection was not over till nearly dark.

Thk Auckland Kiflb Bkiqade.—The first annual inspection of tho Auckland Kille Brigade, as at present constituted, took place ou l«'eb. 2 iu tho Albert Barracks About two hundred membere of the Brigade wero present, including a large number of Cadets. The Brigade was put through the usual evolutions practised upon such occasions, and upon the whole the inspection vras very satisfactory, although it was evident there were a good many members present who were not vory regular attendants ut parade. Major (xordon was iu command of the men. Colonel Haringlon was tho inspecting officer. At tho clo.-u of the mancouvres, Colonel llaringtou briefly uddressed the men. He said that when they had expressed their wish to form an independent battalion, they hail given as one reason that they would become more efficient, but this ho was sorry to see was not the case. He urged them to increased attention, and attendance at drill.

The Auckland Hifle Volunteers.—Tho inspection of Companies No. 1 and No. 5, of the Auckland Kille Volunteers, by Colonel Harington, took place on Wednesday morning. The inspector expressed satisfaction with tho degree of proficiency exhibited by the men. Notice is given that thoro will be a review of the Volunteer forces on Saturday nest, at the JEpsom race-course.

Auckland Scottish Volunteers.—This oorpa was inspected on the 31st January, by Colonel Jiarington. There was a very good muster, under command of the Hon. Major Taylor, and tho evolutions were gouo through in a highly creditable manuor.

HoiiSON Volunteers.—The above company was inspected by Colonel Harington on the 31st of January, when they went through the various evolutions with groat steadiness and precision.

Natal Voutnteehs, (No. 1 & 2 Co.'s.) — No. 2 Naval Volunteers (commanded by Captain Johnston), and their Cadets (under Capt. Andrews), were inspected on Jan. 31. by Colonel Harington. The Colonel complimented the adult company on their efficiency

in drill, and expressed a hope that they would work harmoniously with No. 1 Company. The Cadets were then put through a number of evolutions, and elicited from the Colonel a marked expression of hie appreciation of their attention. Ho paid a high compliment to their instructor, Sergeant Castle, for the attention ho must have paid to their drill. He expressed a wish that the men gene-rally could be commended for the same atceution. Three cheers were then K iven for Colonel Harington, Captain Johnston, and Mr. Andrews, to whose school tho Cadets belong. Tho members of No. 1 Company, under Caplain Leßoy, were also inspected. The officers present, besides the captain, were, Lieutenant Chapman, Sub-Lieutenant Wells. A number of evolutions were gone through very creditably. At the close of the inspection the Colonel s;.oke very favorably of what had been done, but recommended the men to increased attention at drill. He also said that ho would much rather sea one strong company of Naval Volunteers than two weak ones. VVaiukit Rifle Volunteers (No. 2 Co.) — The annual inspection of the Wuipipi or No. 2 Company VVaiuku Rifle Volunteers took pluco on tho 19th ultimo, at McNamara's Corner. There was a good muster. The officers present were—Captain Alexander and Lieutenant Bolton. Colonel Harington and Major Lusk arrived on the ground, and were received in tho usual manner. After inspecting tho company, they wero put through the manual and platoon exercises, which were done fairly, and, afterwards, a good deal of company and skirmishing drill. The gallaaf. Colonel said ho was glad to see a marked improvement in their drill, and also to see that they nearly all had their uniforms.

Wairoa Rifhe Volunteeus.—The Wairoa Bifle Volunteers were inspected by Colonel Harington on the 23rd instant, in ilr. Muuro's paddock, Major Lusk being also present. The muster of men was a small one ill comparison with former years, but those present looked quite smart in their grey Nelson tweeds, and the inspecting Colonel was pleased with the improvement in drill the corps had niado during the tweive months. ONEnr/NOA Rifle Volunteebs and Cadets. —The company mustered for inspection by Colonel Haringtou, on tho Ist February, Captain Luiulon, 2 subalterns, 1 colour-ser-geant, 2 sergeants. 50 rank and file, Bandscrgeant Miggs and band, making a very respectable total on the ground. The exercises and movements usual on these occasions were gone through with steadiness and silence. The mistakes pointed out by the Inspecting Otficer were few and iill'ected only individuals. The corps received credit from Colonel Ilarriugtim for good attendance, attention, and silence in the runks. Encouragement not censure characterised his address. On the conclusion of the parade the Cadets under Sergeant Wainhouse, A.C., acquitted themselves very well, considering the short time they have been in working order.