SIR GEORGE WHITMORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 6 (Supplement)

SIR GEORGE WHITMORE.

HIS FAREWELL INSPECTION OF THE

VOLUNTEERS. Ok Tuesday, Feb. 21, the various companies of volunteers forming the Auckland garrison assembled at the Drill-shed, for the purpose of being inspected fbr the last time by Major-General Sir G. Whitmore previous to his retiring from the command of the colonial forces. The Drill-shed not being large enough to accommodate the large muster that turned up, the parade was held outside, in the open ground at the rear. After the companies fell in, Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd took command, and formed the men into open column. On the left were the "O" Battery of Artillery, under Captain George, 29 strong, and the "A Battery, under Captain Geddis, 46; the Engineers, 37, under Major Anderson, being next, with the "H" Troop Cavalry, 20, in their rear. Next were the Naval Battalion, under Captain Commandant Leßoy, consisting of the Auckland, 56, under Lieutenant Parker; Ponsonby, 46, under Captain Morpeth; Devonport, 36, under Lieutenant Dacre, and Waitemata, 53, under Captain Hitchens; and the Onehunga, with band, 66, under Captain Hulse. The centre was occupied by the No. 2 Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Digram being in command, the companies being:—City Guards, 33, under Lieutenant Dormer ; Hobsons, 28 ; and Victorias, 27. The right was occupied by the No. 3 Battalion, under Major Birnie, and comprised the Gordon Rifles, 17; Newton, 35, under Captain Robertson ; and Royal Irish, 37, under Captain Leahy; the total number, including the bands, being 655. The Garrison and Naval Bands played selections while the companies were being inspected by Sir G. Whitmore, who was accompanied by Colonel Shepherd and Major Payne. When this inspection was finished, the volunteers were formed into three sides of a hollow square, and the Major-General addressed them briefly. He stated that as he was parting with them he did not wish to use any hard words; but he must say that he did not see that night the same signs of the volunteering spirit that he had noticed on the previous visit, and there were more absent than he liked. He had consulted the various commanding officers upon the causes of the want of interest now shown in volunteering, and hoped to be able to lay the matter before the Defence Minister, so as to give him every Opportunity to remedy any defect that might be existing. He considered that in the event of war no place in the colony was so likely to be threatened as Auckland. Anyone could manage the men in time of war, but it was a work of diffij culty in time of peace to keep them to their work, but they never would be efficient in war if they did not practice during peace, and though it was difficult it should be done. He was glad to hear that the average shooting was much improved, for with that good shooting they might make up for any fault in drill or lack of knowledge in moving together. He had to acknowledge a very general assistance from the officers of volunteers in the colony, while in the discharge of his duties. He might have done many things that had not met their convenience or views, but whatever his shortcomings he had few to complain of in either the officers or men under nim. He had therefore to thank them for the services they had already given to their country. Sir George then retired, and the volunteers were re-formed into open column, after which a march-out was held, the route being up Princes-street, down Shortlandstreet, and up Queen-street to the Drillshed, where, after the rolls were called, the parade was dismissed*