VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11871, 24 January 1902, Page 7

VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

WHANGAREI RIFLES. Nothing but ordinary'drill has been done this week. On Saturday Captain Steadman attended at the range, so that a few of the men who had not finished their class-firing could be put through.: Great indignation is expressed by the publio at Lieutenants Hicks and McGregor not being awarded certificates of competency after their examination for officers. The public think: it ; hard that all officers from the country should • have to pass the; same examination as one > in a city, near the; adjutant of the district, " and every other advantage and chance of ' learning. Of course, tho ' public do not know that nowadays a volunteer officer ; in the Now Zealand Defence Force must '• pass an examination which . will qualify him to take charge of men in, the field at any time when called upon. There is no playing soldiers about it, as will bo proved by tho number of our volunteer officers who : have proved themselves so capable in tho present South African war. ; It ; would bo a pity to lower the standard, but it does seem hard foi gentlemen, after, spending / every moment of their spare time for six ; months or more, to be plucked when they • go up for examination, not because they cannot learn, but \ because they may have ' devoted most of their time to the very part ! of their studies upon which they have the ': fewest questions. It is with regret I hear that Lieutenant Hicks is resigning. He is a good officer and soldier, as the ; medals ' (Egypt) he wears on his breast plainly i tell. -.-' Lieutenant McGregor intends going up again, and 1 havo little doubt will ob- ; tain his certificate this time. The public ; consider that the Government give but very little encouragement to gentlemen, to become volunteer officers in New Zealand. The ; Whangarei Rifles have never been in a more satisfactory state since the establishment of the corps ' two years ' ago, .".-but ; I understand , that ' they have not any answer as to their proposed '•■ now uniforms beinsj passed by the powers in Wellington. Thi3 will throw it into winter before they can have them finished to wear. I had hoped to see them out with them during tho summer.—[Own Correspondent.] / / MARSDEN MOUNTED RIFLES. Last week class-firing woe kept up on /Saturday and Thursday afternoons, but | there were very few members on the range. The company has lately lost a number of members who have left the district, but.- I hea. that there are a number of men waiting to join, which . will fill the ; vacancies next year. Captain Clark-Walker informs me that he has received a letter from Lieutenant H. G. - McMillan, of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent,- now ' in : South Africa, who belongs to the corps, holding rank as farrier-sergeant at. the time of his leaving New/ Zealand. Lieutenant McMillan speaks very' hopefully; of the; speedy' termination of the war. I : am// informed that Privates Moore i and Solan aro returning from South Africa, and • will be in Whangarei shortly, but am sorry to learn -that Private; Clarke has been severely wounded -in a- late engagement.— Correspondent.] .