LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15398, 5 September 1913, Page 10

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

BY FROSTIEnSMAS, Tim following Now Zoalanclcrs have bnen admitted to the Legion:—Blßo J. O'Noill, Morcro (II. R); 8179 B. C. Robinson, Waverley; 8181 W. Soaiea, Auckland; 8182 J. R. Stokes. Wanganui; and 8183 H. G. Whitcombe, Aloeotoa. The sub-unit in Kolorua district applied to it:.' commandant-general m London for permission to lorm a local sQiiadron without athliution to tho AucKland executive. The mutter wan remitted to ttio headquarters representative in Now Zealand to deal with, aim I lie Kotorua sub-unit has accordingly burn notified thai the Auckland executive uoca nut now exist, and that the proper method to lollow a; Kotorua, or anywnere cue tnal » aiiundroii la being formed, is for the men to decide amongst themselves what anniiul Mini they will tix as their squadron stitisc rip: ions, and tins money is to be used ..'■ their own purposes. The fund should bo aduiin.s't red and routine business transacted liv a :u,.nice unit general purposes committee o i in ■- !if Members, ot coarse, require in :• rwmd ■:> Kd per milium to London heado.iiM.i- lYiuap.s lie position will be hotter ,n,,i. i--. i'ii: v. liii. \. i.v : All memlii- 1 . i, I.,'i/i. n join ! ■■' one great oody Mi:.. ■-. 11, ■ml.1 t.itru i - :n London, and, i . •■ : b, .1: a. .. pi d, tl.ev gather together • ■ . ii-t ■. ~ • v. 1,. Ie tin re ure suthi lent in in:. , , • I'll 11 loi-re are only lour, and , ■■~ .. .wi; if. .11 ~i-inn. Thai association, i :ii , ■ I— i u, 1 hi. ,1 troop, or a squadir. ••■■ i mi i.iiiiir (omern. their own ~... .■ ~.1 ::,, . inn it in 1 heir own way.

": '■ . \ ■■,'.. .Hid (Vy Squadron is now in r-i.p. ii. i* 1: ' 'i I'l'iei organised squad ■ : !■..'. ~'„ „• 111 iiuirut, which does not i 1 -...• I, si. ii ii'eii. with a view in the • ■ -i 'a i.viimiuidanl. and the squadron i . :, ■ ■,:.:, ,1 1.., ill. 11,11. t-l'olonei, Aden Bell. . 1' 11 .', 11. |, i- -l;n |m.s-,ii..ii The noinina--1...11. . . use. is 1,1 the military command i'! '■ ..iL'.,-seil ...iimtions ill Uicklaiid distnil, mil :I.ls ivithiny to do with the civil or 1 miii:,-,in,, 11 brunch, to which members can--1 ■ iipi...iiit olhcerj. that being tho concern ul heriilijiini tors only.

Lieutenant Colonel Bell, who retired with thin 1 link when the volunteer forces were 11..: .I.' ili-il ami the cow dclemc si heme emtio : '■• ■■ ,ri:, saw ~»-i"i'iee in the Matabele war in : 1. ■'..■ 'I'nn.vnitl war. and his promotion :. 'tie leld, on,! subsequently in the volun-li-i 1 i„i ,-.. was rapid and was well earned. He is 1 fin' 'we ,>( the overseas soldier, and »,is ,"•■:;.. v popular amongst the mutinied r.'le ivi,i« lie was connected with in various disti. is.

The commandatd. when elected, will nominate hi-, stall office's, who, of course, will also "•.'y be roneerned with the military side of the Legion The reason that primary nomin niion is being made is that the Auckland City Sntiiidron recognises the position of commandant was never properly conferred last year, otherwise tho proposal now would be ouo of affirmation for a period of four years The election, therefore, will require to come tip for confirmation next year.

A correspondent asks whether the Auckland district staff appointed over a year ago stilt holds office The answer is in the negative. nnd the headquarters representative hits notified that those appointments have lapsed. The position is quite simple* The appointment ol an officer having command over members on the military side of the Legion must ba by election, in which every member allocked must have a vote. An election was carried out over a year ueo at a meeting in Auckland Chamber of Commerce, but those pre Mint included a very trroat number who have never been members of the Legion, and nil that tha members who'were present had power to do wis to elect a leader over themselves, nit over those who were not present. Consequently that election has been voidod, and hence Auckland City Squadron_s primary nomination of Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, to whom warm pniso was given at the squadron meeting by Captam Eadio ana othora for Ins efforts on behalf of compulsory military service in New Zealand and for his work in conno.-tion with the old volunteer forces.

Supplies of Legion writing-paper and envelopes are now available here to any member of tho Lesion in New Zealand.

With refDrence to tho desire of some members to foira a command in Auckland district, the following extract from 0 letter from the commandant-general to the staff officer for New Zealand is interesting:— ' Let your aim bo to get good, honest squadron and troop leaders, who can take men under fire. Make no attempt to consolidate these troops and Bun&drans; they can be formed in every dW.lion. keeping in touch with you trad with Legion headquarters direct. Later on they will come together, of their own accord, into refrinjents, when a good man can be found to taktf ovar several and organise them."

A. number of the city members "t the Legion. Rifle Club -were on the ranges last Saturday, and, considering th« fact that they were out of practice, some cf them not bavins handled a rifle for years, they put up a good score at the 200 yds and 500 yds ranges. Amongst the scores were: W. Moore 67, W. M Miller 03, W. J. 'Wheolor fi?.. T. Brabbs 60. E. Noble 60, G. 'Woatbrooie 68, and T. Guest 52. .-■*,,

The Hamilton and Ngaruawahia men had! another shoot on Saturday, when tho Ngaruawahia men won by ?96 to 193.

Frontiersmen from ell parts of the Dominion aro expected to visit Auckland during' tho Exhibition, and a desire has been expressed by a number that a camp should be arranged, so that they may all quarter together. The Auckland City Squadron wendeavouting to arrange » camp, and its committee is now discussing ways and means. Tho proposal is to secure the use of some paddocks outside the city, where tentei may be erected, and horses kept, and a place at St. Heliers Bay has been offered to the squadron free of charge. Naturally those going into camp will have to pay their quota of tho cost. Intending campers should communicate as soon as possible in order that the squadron may know hew many to expect. It is possible one or, two " frontier ',' concerts may be 'held, to which the public may be admitted.

In repairing and renovating _ the quarters recently leased by the City Squadron members experienced * splendid spirit amongst the Auckland tra< asraen, to whom they went for material. Merchants showed their appreciation of the offorts of the men who provide their own uniforms and arms to prepare for defence by offering most liberal discounts and, in some cases, declining to take payment for the articles required. The men are putting a new roof "■on the somewhat dejectedlooking building they have secured in Shortland Street, repapering and painting the place throughout, replacing a good portion of the flooring, and making much of the furniture they require, sad all this work is voluntary effort.