VOLUNTEER IN INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8055, 16 September 1887, Page 5

VOLUNTEER IN INTELLIGENCE.

"A" Battery of Artillery.—At the Drill-shed last evening the usual inspection parade of the "A" Battery of Artillery took place. There was a full muster of officers and men, the company being in charge of Lieut. Geddis, Major Payne making the inspection. At the conclusion of the parade, a meeting of the company was held for the election of officers. Major Payne tooK the chair. Before the business proper of the meeting began Mesirs. W. J. Suiter, S. H. Godden, W. Lynch, T. Barrett, and R. Michaels were elected hon. members of the company. Sergeant Millar than read the advertisement convening the meeting, and the chairman called upon the members to nominate someone to fill the position of captain, vacant by his promotion. Ser-geant-Major Lipscombe proposed, and Serjeant Alien seconded, that Lieutenant Geddis be elected captain of the ''A" Battery. Lieutenant Geddis, whose name nad been received with great applause, then withdrew. As there was no other nomination, Major Payne, as returning officer, declared .Lieutenant Geddis duly elected captain. On being called in Lieutenant Geddis thanked the company for the honour conferred on him, in a hearty speech. Major Payne then vacated the chair in favour of the newly-chosen captain. Captain Geddis then declared second lieutenant Ansell to he promoted to the position of first lieutenant. Lieutenant Ansell who, on rising to acknowledge his promotion, was greeted with prolonged applause, briefly thanked the company. As the position of second lieutenant was now vacant, the chairman asked for nominations for the position. Sergeant Allen was proposed by Sergeant-Major Lipscombe, amid cheering. Sergeant-Major Lipscombe and Sergeant Henderson were also named, but declined to stand, and Captain Geddis therefore put Sergeant Allen's name to the vote, with the result that he was chosen unanimously. Lieutenant Allen acknowledged his rise in a few well chosen words. Captain Geddis then stated that the vacancies oh the list of non-commissioned officers would be filled up at a future date, and asked the company to adjourn to the Albert Hotel, to drink the healths of th« newly elected officers. The company marched to the rendezvous, where host Montague had a very tasty cold collation provided. After justice had been done to the good things provided, the healths of Captain Geddis, Lieutenant Allen, Sergeant-Major Lipscombe, Lieutenant Ansell, and Major Payne were drunk with great heartiness in the order named. Several officers and men of the company entertained the company with songs and recitations, and the proceedings terminated by the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " and the National Anthem.