OUR VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2999, 10 December 1896, Page 4

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

The D Battery at Drill,

The general public has practically no idea of the work done by some of. the Wellington Volunteer Corps. Last night a New Zealand Times repr tentative paid a visit to tho Mount Cook Barracks, where the D Battery was being drilled by the gunnery instructors of the Permanent Artilery, and of this corps it may especially be*tmid the public has no idea of work. In addition to the usual weekly drill, tho company is marched out to tho forts weekly, and is there ’instructed in tho practical drill and gun practice that would bo required of it in tho event of an attack from an enemy’s cruiser. Conducted by Lieutenant Cooper, our represeniativo first visited tho largo gun-pit where tho big aix-inch breech-loading disappearing gun to be mounted above the Botanical Gardens is at present mounted. Here, under the instruction of Bombardier Hastings, a squad of eight of the D Battery were .being drilled in the practical work of loading, training and firing the big gun. Lieutenant Biss was in command of the squad. Proceeding to tho second gun-pit, our reporter found a • squad b£ seventeen men instructed in 7-inoh M.L, gnu drill under Bombardier Butler, the squad being under tho command of Petty-officer Frederick. In the main drill shod a squad of eight were being instructed in Nordenfeldt Gin and 7in vr.L. and B.L. guu drill under Lieutenant Cooper and C.P.O. Williams. In the lecture room a further squad of eighteen men wore being taught how to load cartridges, tie tho various knots known hitherto only to mariners, pack shells, and do the various duties entailed on a gunner, by Sergeant-Major. Bichardaou and Bombardier Lynch. Through practice the men have become proficient in their work, which is done voluntarily and without any remuneration further than tho usual capitation. '