OUR VOLUNTEERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4207, 16 November 1900, Page 5

OUR VOLUNTEERS

It is officially announced that the rate of capitation to be paid to all adult Volunteers for the year ending 28th February, 1901, will be: —Mounted corps, £3 10s per man; all other corps, ,£2 10s per man. The late Lieutenant-Colonel .Sumpter, whose death was announced from Oamaru the other day, has been accorded a military funeral. Mr Sumpter was the “father of Volunteering ' in the North Otago district. .

A parade of the left half of the Wellington Rifle Battalion was he 111 last night, under Lieut.-Colonel Collins, with whom were associated Major Brandon, Captain Harcourt and Sergeant-Major Sanderson. The division was marched to Thorndon in two units, and there, dispositions were made for attack and defence respectively. The Post and Telegraph Rifles and the Highland Rifles ‘(with a half-company of the Cycle Corps) made their headquarters at the Museum, and placed a dozen sentries at the various approaches thereto, the attack being left to the College Rifles and the Zealandia Rifles. The remaining half of the Cycle Corps were attached to the attacking party to bear reports and carry oredrs. An attack was developed from the railway station along Sydney street, and on the alarm being given the officer commanding the defenders sent forword reinforcements. It became evident that this movement was the main attack, and the defenders then slowly retired upon the Museum, the outposts being simultaneously called in. The whole of the movements were creditably executed, and the Cycle Corps carried out its important duties faithfully and well. At the conclusion of the attack Colonel Collins expressed himself well pleased at the manner in which both officers and men had carried out their (hities .and specially compliment ed the deienders on the orderly manner in which they had fallen back on their headquarters. The companies of tlie half battalion were represented as follows: Post and Telegraph Rifles (Captain Morris), 32; College Rifles (Captain Turner). 42: Highland Rifles (Captain Mclntosh). 42; Zealandia Rifles (Captain Kiev), 45; Cycle Corps (Colour-Sergeant Slinn), 20. Lieutenant-Colonel Collins is taking steps to resuscitate the Wellington Rifle Association. A meeting of officers will be held next week to fully discuss the matter, and there is every likelihood that an association competition will be held next January, either in New Year week or on Anniversary Day. A full parade of the Wellington Rifle Battalion has been fixed to be held next week.