VOLUNTEERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4294, 1 March 1901, Page 6

VOLUNTEERS

The annual inspection of Government arms will begin this week in Wellington, the Rifle Battalion parading for inspection at 7.30 this evening. The ravages wrought by cordite on neglected rifle barrels have been responsible for the inception of new examination methods by the Defence Department. It is now intended to make a rigid inspection of ail arms, and with that object in view tw,o armourer sergeants, brought out from England for the purpose, will thoroughly examine the rifles, and return them at the succeeding parade. This system of inspection is to be extended to the whole colony, and it has been further ordered that every rifle on issue to a company must be returned on inspection night. The value of each rifle not produced is to be charged against the offending company, and the amount deducted from its capitation allowance. Officers of companies are particularly requested to attend at the overhauling process by the armourer-ser-geants, so that the officers raav acquire practical knowledge of the method, and become able to thoroughly instruct their men in the art of keeping in order their arms and to warn them in'a practical way against neglect of necessary precautions. The annual muster parade of the First Rifle Battalion and the Cycle Corps will be held this evening.