VOLUNTEER JUBILEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13873, 6 October 1908, Page 6

VOLUNTEER JUBILEE.

..lifty years ago, 200 citizens of Auckland organised into two companies and offered themselves to the Government of the day as a force for local defence in case of need. Their services were accepted ": as "The Royal" and " The City" companies of Auckland rifle volunteers,: and after preliminary drill, • earned on in the open air in the hours of early morning, they were sworn in and armed on November 15 and 16, 1858.. /The first-mentioned date is, therefore, that from which the volunteer movement in New Zealand dates, and the jubilee of the force will fall on November 15; next. In the year following the enrolment of the i Auckland rifle volunteers, the great volunteer movement in the United Kingdom began, so.that Auckland-has the honour of having anticipated the Homo Country in arming itscitizens for self-defence. The attention of the original members of the Royal and City companies who are in Auckland is called an advertisement appearing in this issue, requesting them to attend a meeting in the lecture room of the Military Hall, next Monday evening, to conwider the question of celebrating the anniversary. All who joined the force before January, 1860, are invited. Tiro notice is given at the request of a number of old volunteers who held an informal meeting' last week, - " *