VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9263, 17 January 1889, Page 6

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

EXTENSION OP TIME FOR RECRUITING.

Colons .Shkfbkrd, the officer-command-ing the district, has received the following important circular from the Undersecretary of Defence: —

. Defence Office, Wellington, Bth January, No. 2: To enable corps to enrol up to .the minimum strength provided by the new regulations, the Hon. the Defence Minister has approved of the enrolment of recruits at any tune up to the 30th April inelusive. Any corps which has not on that date arrived at the required strength is to be reported upon by the officer commanding the district, who will state whether it is desired that the company should be disbanded or amalgamated with another corps in tho command. The annual allowance of ammunition for 18S9 will not be issued to corps until enrolled up to the minimum strength. Up to the 30th June parades at which the proportion of the actual strength of a corps is present, as provided for by the regulations, will be allowed to reckon towards capitation.—C. A. Humfrey, Assistant Under-Secrotary Defence.

This extension of time will afford companies an opportunity to make an effort to till their ranks. All felt that if they were compelled, as they supposed they mere, to recruit up to the minimum in the preeenb month, ib would be a hopeless task, and many of the companies had fully made up their minds to follow the example of the Hobson Company, and disband. In fact, this remark applies to one of the corps which paraded at tho Drillshed last night—the "O " Battery—but, on being made acquainted with tho contents of the circular, they determined to keep on, and endeavour to reach the required strength before the 30th of April. The provision allowing corps to qualify for capitation under the old conditions up to the 30th of June, is also very satisfactory, and we havo no doubt the publication of this circular will infuse new vigour into the volunteer movement in Auckland. ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING THE SHED. The following are the arrangements which have been made for parades and drills in tho Drill-shed :—Recruit drill (whioh was commonced last Monday), on Mondays ; Victorias, Nowtons, and Royal Irish, on Tuesdays; "O" Battery, Engineers, and City Guards on Wednesday; "A" Battery on Thursday ; and Auckland, Ponsonby, and Waitemata Navals, on Friday. AMALGAMATION OF CORPS. The Ponsonby and Devonport companies of Naval Artillery have determined to amalgamate, and an application to that effect was forwarded to the Defence Office, Wellington, yesterday. It is anticipated that tho combination of those two companies will make one strong and efficient corps. LAST NIGHT'S DRILL. Three companies—natnely, the "O " Battery, under Captain George and Lieutenant James, the Engineers under Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Elmos, ana tho City Guards under Captain Kohn and Lieutenant Dormer—assembled at the Drillshed last night, and there were very good musters of each company. They were put through useful company drill by their respective officers. After drill Captain Kohn intimated to the members of the corps that it is his intention to hold an encampment at the end of the monoh for a week, for the purpose of passing in all daylight parades and judging distance drill. The drills will bo held in the evenings and mornings, and the corps will be dismissed early so that every member will have time to go to his usual work. The Victoria Rifles, we understand, are going to join the City Guards, and we trust both corps will meet with every success. " O " BATTERY PRESENTATION AND ANNUAL MEETING.

After the drill of the " O " Battery last night the company was formed into hollow square, and Corporal Younghusband being called to the front, Captain George presented to him the company's cup, which he was successful in winning at the recent competition. He also presented him with a gold medal. The conditions with regard to the cup are that it has to bo won twice in succession or three times at intervals, but the successful competitor on each occasion receives with the cup a gold medal which he retains.

The annual meeting of the company waa then held in the company's room, Captain George presiding, and after the preliminary business had been disposed of tho rjuestionof continuing as a battery or disbanding, was brought up. Captain George said that they had some rules of their own ; but if they decided to continue as a corps he should suggest that they rescind those and adopt the model regulation rules. These provided for a subscription of Is per month, and to ensure attendance the fines would be enforced, namely Is for each gunner, 2s for each non-commissioned officer, and 3s for each officer absent from parade. Hβ read a copy of the circular received by Colonel Shepherd from the Defence Office, allowing them to recruit up till the 30th April. By striking off the names of those who had not attended and those who had resigned they would reduce their strength to about 30, exclusive of officers, and some of the old members desired to retire, but he hoped they would now continue. If by the 30th of April they had 50 men exclusive of officers, they could continue as a battery. He might state that the Government waa about to erect a gun and Bhed at the rear of the drillshod, which would enable them to drill in town instead of having to go to Point Resolution battery. He would like before moving anything to get an expression of opinion us to whether they should endeavour to recruit up to the strength required, or there was another alternative to communicate with the " A " Battery with a view to amalgamation with them.

Sergeant-Major Haultain asked whother the captain was assured that they would get the use of the gun which was to be erected at the rear of the Drill-shed ? He understood it was for the Navals.

Captain Gkokgb said he believed they would. It. was mainly at his instigation that the gun ■was being erected, but they could easily inquire. He would suggest that there should be four detachments, two to be drilled each night. Lieutenant James said he was glad to see such a large muster, and such n strong feeling in favour of continuing. He had come down this evening anticipating that it would be their last drill, but he was pleased to see such a large muster, and tho manner in which the men drilled showed that they had no desire to give it up, and that they were determined nob to break up the battery. He had no doubt that before the 30th of April they would succeed in recruiting sufficiently to comply with the conditions if they each put a shoulder to the wheel.

Sergeant-Major Haultain suggested that a, committee should be appointed to take measures to recruit the battery. The Captain said it seemed to bo the unanimous wish of all present that they should continue as a battery, and make a further effort. He then read over the model regulation rules which were unanimously adopted on the motion of Captain George. A finance committee consisting of the officers and three non-commissioned officers, as provided by the rules, was then formed, Sergeants Allom, Kallender, and Corporal Younghusband being elected to act with the officers.

Votes of thanks were accorded to the treasurer, secretary, and Sergeant-Major Haultain for their services to the battery. Sergeant Allom was elected treasurer, and Corporal Lawea was re-elected secretary for the ensuing year. Captain George announced that on that day fortnight he would call a parade, and all absentees from that parade would be fined. This concluded the business.