VOLUNTEERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4565, 17 January 1902, Page 3

VOLUNTEERS

As a result of the advertisement for recruits published by D Battery recently the corps is now practically at full strength again—a position that very few city Volunteer companies can now claim. In view of the supposed dearth of recruits the D Battery fixed the minimum for drivers required at sft 6in—but the men who offered were nearer Gft sin than the minimum height. The battery hold its first parade for the year on Tuesday, when Alajor Aloorhonse—who was last month promoted from his captaincy to a majority—was in command. Useful work was done. The battery has furnished a quota of men to the Eighth Contingent for South Africa —as it has done to each of tho preceding contingents. Seven men are on the contingent roll already, their names and contingent rank being as follows:—Lieut. Taplin, Farrier-Sergeant Neilson, Corporals Spence and Rowell, Privates Thomson, Climie and Sampson. There is a probability that one or two men more from the battery may yet go with the-contingent. The battery is to he represented by a full team at the meeting of the Wellington Rifle Association at Troutham this month. Some photographs of the six detachments of the battery, taken during the camp at Miramar, are now on view. A picture of what is jocularly termed “the seventh detachment”—really tho unattached non-coms—-is very fine. It is intended by tho members of tho battery to make presentations to their old comrades who are going to the front with the Eighth Contingent. Master-Gunner Richardson, of the Permanent Staff, who acts as instructor to the Wellington Navals and to D Battery, is now on a visit to the. South, and is attached to E Battery (Christchurch). At the parade of the Wellington Navals on Wednesday night there was a good muster. The corps was exercised in signalling and range-finding by the officers; and a lecture on gunnery work was given. Bombardier Petersen exercised a squad

in hello work, while P.O. Sparks drilled a detachment with the Tin gun. The annual camp of the company is to begin on the 24th inst. at the harbour torts. At this camp a special feature is to be made of signalling and kindred work, in accordance with recommendations made by tho authorities. Alajor Moorhouse, of the D Battery, is to be congratulated on the attainment of his majority. Ho has served for many years as captain of the corps, during which time he has done good service. Good work is being done at the camp of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles at Tawa Flat. A “social” is to be held to-night.