VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4822, 27 November 1902, Page 6

VOLUNTEERS.

WELLINGTON EII'LE BATTALION. A well-attended and highly successful parade of tho I'irst Wellington Xtifle Bat. talion was held last night, it being the first battalion parade of the present sea, son. The new drill duties were followed at the parade,' and, although there is nothing showy about tho evolutions, they seem to bo effective enough. The parade was under Lieut.-Colonel Collins, who had with him Major Brandon. Captain and Adjutant Haroourt, Captain and Quartermaster Henderson, Stalf-Sergt.-Major Colclough and Eugler-Sergt.-Major Wisher. The Garrison Band, under Lieut. Herd, was present in strength, and considerably enlivened the inarch, out and tho subsequent proceedings in tho Drillshed. The battalion was exercised on "the section of road between the Government Railway Station and the Loan and Morcautilo/Ageucy Go/s building, tho inspecting officer being Colonel Ac wall, C. 8., who had with him Captains Lomax and Tuckey. „. Bellowing is tho parade state:—City Rifles (Captain W. U.Dufhie) 50. Wellington Guards (Captain J. putliie) 43, Keiburno Rifles (CaptainJDavis) 38, Civil ■ Service Rifles (Lieut. Lewis) 35, Post and Telegraph Rifles (Captain Morris) 43, CoL lege Rifles (Captain Turner) 50. Zealandia , Rifles (Lieutenant Hobbs) 40, Highland , if lilies (Ciijifain Mclntosh) 47, Garrison Band (Lieutenant Herd) 25, Cycle Corps (Captain Hudson) 27. There was a total attendance of over 400 at the parade, a highly satisfactory result for the initial parade of the season. The I’ost and Telegraph Rifles' muster was curtailed in number owing to stress of work occasioned by the arrival of a San Prnucisco mail on a day just filter the general elections. The next parade of the battalion will be held on Thursday evening, the 11th prox. , (

Tho Wellington Navals. on the conclusion of their Government inspection at tho Lower Drillshed last night, marched, in company with the College Rifles, to Kelburne, where they were entertained by Lieut-Commanding Cooper, who ha* lately been promoted to the general staff. The officers of the Wellington Rifle Battalion and of tho Naval Brigade were present also. An enjoyable evening was spent. At last night's parade of the Zealand!* Rifles a presentation of a walking-stick was made to Lieut. Hobbs by the team that competed under (Ms auspices in the. active service competition held by tho Wellington Rifle Battalion on King's Birthday. The challenge belt recently made for the Zcalandia Rifles by Mr. 3). McNaugbt was on view in the company's rooms last night. It-is a handsome belt of black leather richly ornamented with bands of chased silver and plates of the same material, on which will be inscribed thp names of future winners of the belt. For the present season it will be held by Lieutenant Hobbs, who won the initial competition for it. and it will be handed over to him at the -parade of the company to be held next Monday evening. Four long-service medals were present, ed to members of the First "Wellington. Rifle Battalion by Colonel Newall at last night's parade. The recipients were Lieut. Herd (Garrison Band), Lancc-Cor. nornl Harrison (City Rifle-*). Bandsman George Howe (Garrison Band), and Private Rasmussen (City Rifles), all of whom have seen service for fifteen years or over in England or the colonics.