THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7896, 15 March 1887, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Every one interested in the volunteers was, I am sure, very sorry to tee the aooonnt in your Saturday's ieiae of the intended diebandment of the Poneonby and College Rifle*. It Iβ to be hoped that this will be a sufficient warning to the commanders that intelligent men, inch m the Auckland volunteers are composed of, are, not prepared to deteriorate in their drill through being compelled to give np all com-. pany drills, and attend instead so-called bat« Ulion drills, consisting, as Captain McDonald has truly said, of one or two movements. This was pointed out some time ago by "fix-, Volunteer" in your columns, and caused quite a flutter. Excuses were made to the fffect that the shed was not large enough. That is false, as every Auckland volunteer must know. One would imagine that a battalion commander, if not efficient, would at least have the good seose to do hie utmost to make himself so. That such i> not the case is only too true and well known. The good financial position of tbe Ponsonby Kifl'B goee to show what the companies could hare done in a short time towards erecting a drill hall worthy of the name had they been treated a* they should have been. At present it seems as if the authorities are bent on driving the best men from the ranks ; and, if tbe present system is carried much farther, I venture to say the whole of the foroe will be able to return from JNorth Shore, a> predicted by "Onlooker," in the Customs launch. —I am, &c, North Camp. Graftonßoad, Auckland, Maroh 12,1887.