The Volunteers.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1037, 15 January 1892, Page 16

The Volunteers.

WELLINGTON NAVAL ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. The annual meeting of this corps was held on Wednesday in the Drillshed, LieutenantCommanding Duncan being in the chair. Lieutenant Bail and some GO men were also preseufc. The Chairman reviewed the operations of the past year at considerable length. He said it was a great pleasure to find that such a large proportion of men as 5o out of a total strength of7-> had earned proficiency awards, viz. 2S men of the starboard watch, and 27 men of the port watch. He hoped that an even better record than that would be made during the ensuing year. He had some little difficulty in getting the accounts settled at the Defence Office so as to enable him that night to fulfil his promise that the money accompanying the badges should be paid over, and rather than disappoint the men who had come expecting their awards, he would advance the money himself, and no doubt the Defence Office would repay him. They had now come to the third year for which those efficiency badges and certificates were supposed to be granted, but up till this time the certificates had not been delivered to the men. However, he had rescued from the Defence Office the e rtificates for two years, and he understood from Colonel Newall that within a week he was likely to be in a position to hand over the certificates for the third year. These throe yearly certificates would entitle their holders to another allowance of £l, together with another distinguishing badge. The absence of the usual camp last year had not affected the efficiency of the corps,' but as these camps were a good means of binding the men together, he proposed that in the ensuing year they should have a camp. After expressing a hope that the Naval cutter race at the forthcoming regatta would be contested in heats, and referring to the military sports, and to the fact that tho Evans Bay range was now available, the Chairman ’went on to complain of the bad ammunition which the men were obliged to use. As one result of Protection, they had to pay 10a pe- 100 rounds of colonial ammunition, while the finest English could be got, for Ss. It was unfair to ao severely handicap the Volunteers in Qualifying themselves for the duties expected of them. He hoped that a better state would be initiated when Captain Fox took command of the forces. If the Government were not prepared to allow him a free hand in these and other matters so as to do what was right, then the sooner they sent him Home again the better. After mentioning the receipt of a circular stating that Volunteer officers were in future entitled to be presented at Court, the Chairman announced ; that tho General Committee had ended the year with a cre lifc balance of £3O, the shooting committee a credit balance of £4 13s, and the amusement committee a credit balance of £8 4s lOd. He therefore proposed that the corps should vote the secretaries (Murphy, Williams and Ross), Quartermaster Woodger, and Storekeeper Palethorpa £5 each in recognition of their services. The vote was passed nem. con., and the Chairman then further handed to PettyOfficers Armstrong and Palethorpe two presents from himself in token of his personal satisfaction with their services. After the (Shooting Committee’s report had been read, the prizes were presented as follows Seaman Griffiths, Mr Solomon’s prize, pipes in case ; P.O. Armstrong, Mr E. Taylor’s prize, butter cooler; P.O. VVoodger, P.’Hay man and Co.’s prize, salts in case; Seaman Stitt, Bing Harris and Co.’s prize, salts in case. Cash aggregates—Seaman Thurston, 5s ; Seaman Cell. 10s ; P.O. Alexander, 103 ; Seaman Griffiths, £1 ; Seaman McLachlau, os ; P.O. Armstrong, 10s; Seaman Weaver, 15s; Seaman G. Mundle, £1 , L.S. Ross, 7« 6d ; P.O. Woodger, 12s 6d ; Seaman Bell, £1 ; Seaman Moore, 7s 6d ; P.O. Harris, 12s 6d ; P.O. Williams, £1 ; P.O. Balcombe, £1 103; Seaman Bell, Blundell’s cup ; Seaman Stitt, Mr F. Cohen’s tea and coffee service; Seaman Stitt, Company bolt and gold medal. The gunnery and torpedo badges, with accompanying money, were handed over to the petty officers for distribution. The Chairman announced that for the ensuing year he would again give his usual grant of ten guineas for cash aggregates. Lleutt Bell gave an interesting description of the London Naval Artillery, and spoke in high terms of the courtesy shown him by Lieutenant-Commander Seth Smith. As this was a compliment paid to his corps, he moved that it should be suitably acknowledged. Seconded by the Chairman, and agreed to. Cn Seaman Hare’s proposition, it was agreed to make a presentation to ex-Ueufc. Hielop, and the petty officers were deputed to ascertain what form Mr Hislop would like it to take. The meeting concluded by re-electing Seaman Murphy as general secretary and Leading Seaman Ross as secretary of the Amusement Committee, and by Seaman Burns as Secretary of the Shooting Committee. The committees were also elected, and it was mentioned that a goodly number of trophies had been presented for the ensuing year.

The City Rifles opened their shooting season on Wednesday. Following is a list of the highest scores : A Clasp. —Corporal Jackson, 53 ; Col.Sergt. Davis*, 50 ; Sergt. Madeley, 49 ; Corpl. Guise, 4S ; Corpl. Rankin, 39 ; Pvt. Curry, 36. B Class.— Pvt. Tollinn, 44 ; Pvt. Madden*. 36 ; Pvt. R. Halpin, 34; Pvt. Lowe, 30 ; Pvt. Robinson, 29. C Class. —Pvt. Wickens, 39 ; Pvt. Bunkenburgh*, 35 ; Pvt. B. Halpin*. 29 ; Pvt. Robertson, 27 ; Pvt. Faber, 25 ; Pvt. Agate, 22 ; Pvt. Morrison, 22. ■•■ Ammunition prizes.

The first drill of the D Battery, Wellington Artillery, took place on Tuesday in the Drillshed. There were about 35 of all ranks on parade, the only officer present being Lieutenant Pearce, by whom the men were put through a course of gun drill,