DISBANDMENT OF THE HOBSON RIFLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9262, 16 January 1889, Page 5

DISBANDMENT OF THE HOBSON RIFLES.

At a meeting of the Hobson Rifle Volunteer Company held last evening in the Drillshed, called for the purpose of considering the position of the company and the new regulations, Captain Little presided, and there was a good attendance. The meeting was a private one, and the business was principally for the purpose of considering the advisability of disbanding, and a resolution to disband was carried unanimously. It was also agreed to fire for the company's belt, presented by the late Lieutenant W. G. Connelly, on the 29th instant, at nine m., after which the winner's name is to be engraved on tho plate, and the bolt will then bo returned to Mrs. Connelly, tho widow of tho donor. A final mooting for winding up tho company's affairs is to bo held in March.

It seems a pity, from a volunteer point of view, that the company should have come to tho resolution to disband, as, by so doing, they forfeit their seniority. Tho Hobsons were, or rathor are the sole survivors of tho numerous companies formed in 1871, when there was a groat revival of volunteering in Auckland, partly caused by the presentation of prizes to the volunteers by Lady Bowen, wife of tho then Governor, and partly by the keen interest infused into volunteer matters generally by tho able officer thon in command c£ the district, Major Gordon. Tho first captain of the company was Captain Andrew Burns, now Major Burns of Christchurch, and ho was succeeded in 1575 by Captain Poter Dignan, who held the command up to the time of his promotion to the rank of Major in 18SU, a step which was followed by his further promotion to tho rank of lieut. - colonel, with the command of No. 2 Battalion of Rifles. Captain Little succeeded to the command of the company, and has held it up to the presont time.