THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 19

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The monthly inspection of the Wellington Battalion was held at Mount Cook last Friday night, and, considering the wretched state of the weather, the attendance was very good. Colonel ■ Crowe was in command, and addressed a few words to the men in praise of their attendance on such a night. The following was the state of the parade City Kifleß, 46, under Captain Collins ; Guards, 36, under Lieutenant Coogan; Wellington Rifles, 43, under Lieutenant Tatum ; Te Aro Rifles, 40, under Captain Marshall; Thorn don Rifles, 25, under Captain Maginnity ; Garrison Band, 18, under Drum-Major Davis. Major Loveday, Adjutant Qaiek, and StaffSergeant Bell were also present. A case, which it will be to the interest of Volunteers to study and take warning from, was heard in the Magistrate’s Court last Friday morning. Frederick Lowater was charged with failing to return the uniform, arms, and accoutrements he held as a member of the Te Aro Rifle 3 upon ceasing to be a .member of the Company. He pleaded guilty- Captain Marshall said he did not wish to press for severe punishment, but he desired to let Volunteers understand that it is their duty to attend to these matters, and not the duty of the officers, Mr Wardell agreed with Captain Marshall as to the necessity for such a lesson; and having pointed out the severity with which a Volunteer might be punished, ordered the accused to be imprisoned till the rising of the Court, and to pay the costs, 7s. At that instant the Court rose, so that the actual punishment was .not great, though a conviction is, of course, recorded. Before the meeting of the D Battery of Artillery terminated on Tuesday Lieutenant Moorhouse drew the attention of the Battery to the fact that they had long had a vacancy for a lieutenant, and he thought the sooner the vacancy was filled the better. He would propose that Mr Guy Williams be elected to the vacant position. Mr Williams, he said, was a gentleman who would take a great deal of interest in the corps. Quarter - master Sergeant Webb, who seconded the proposition, said he knew Mr Williams, and he was sure he would make a good officer, (Hear, hear.) The members present were unanimous in their opinion that Mr Williams should be elected. Captain McCredie, on referring to the Act, said he did not think there was a sufficient number of members present to enable them to go on with the election. Lieutenant Moorhouse said that three rifle companies in the city were anxious to secure Mr Williams’ services. (Hear, hear.) Captain McCredie read the clause of the Act, which Btated that before the name of any person could be submitted to the Governor for the position of a staff officer, such person would have to be elected by at least two-thirds of the corps at a meeting specially convened for the purpose. Captain McCredie then gave notice that he would have a special meeting convened for the next Tuesday. The Government inspection of the D Battery of Artillery was held at the Volunteer Drillshed on Tuesday night. There was a very good muster. After the inspection the annual meeting of the corps was to have taken place, but it' was adjourned until next Tuesday. A shooting committee, consisting of the following members of the Battery, was elected Sergeant Kuchen, Corporals Scott, Robinson, Doile, and Bombadier Guise. Some other matters were dealt with, and the meeting adjourned. The annual sports in connection with the Wellington Garrison will beheld on the Princo of Waleß* birthday. At the meeting of the D Battery of Artillery on Tuesday, Quarter-Master-Sergeant Webb and Gunner Hyland were appointed to represent the corps on the Sports Committee. Last year, it will be remembered, several football matches were got up between the various Volunteer corps in the city, which resulted in some very good contests. There is a likelihood of similar matches being played this year, the first of which will take place to-morrow week between the Naval Artillery and the D Battery of Artillery.

There is some probability of a Volunteer review and encampment on a large scale being held here next Easter. So far as can be ascertained, no definite arrangements have been made, and the matter is as yet entirely in the future. It is pretty certain, however, that the review will be held here, and that a number of cavalry corps will take part in it. The Hutt Park will probably be the locality selected.

VOLUNTEER DISCIPLINE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir, —There is a very bad practice growing up among Volunteer officers, which is most prejudicial to the working of the force, and should be nipped in the bud at once. I allude to the system of Officers Commanding corps, Adjutants, and other officers interviewing Ministers or the Commander of the Forces on matters connected with the force or corps without the communication going through the proper channel. This is to be much regretted, as the discipline of a force tends to the comfort of all ranks, while it promotes the efficiency of the corps, and such state of efficiency can only be attained by the strict maintenance of the chain of responsibility, which link by link connects the lowest with the highest. Officers particularly should bear in mind that their example in a great measure influences the behavior of the men, and that there can be no respect for superiors if junior officers are allowed to talk over the heads of seniors. There have been many cases of this lately, and strange to say the practice is allowed to continue. Appointments have been obtained in this manner, and the authority of the officer commanding the district set at defiance. No plea of ignorance can be offered, as the offenders are generally well up in the force, or ex-military officers, who quote “ unwritten law ” for the breach of the rules of military etiquette and discipline. —I am, &c., Rifle Brigade.