VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5008, 4 July 1903, Page 3

VOLUNTEERS.

WELLINGTON ENGINEERS’ ANN GAL RETORT. Tho report submitted at the third annual meeting of tho Wellington. Engineer Volunteers congratulated the corps on tho substantial jirogress made. “LnUke an infantry corps,” iho report continued, “ an engineering corps could not bo made in a year. Tho corps had been handicapped in a great measure by lack of materials, equipment, instructors and a suitable place Tor the special work, but,-fortunately, those troubles wero now nearly overcome. Tho non-coms, wero reaching a state of efficiency enabling them to fill their proper role of instructors, and therefore (continued the report) there was no reason why the year now current should not ba the best tho company had experienced, and tho full strength (84) bo attained during its currency'. The financial position of tho corps was highly satisfactory, there being a credit balance of about £6O iu the bank. The report made condolatory reference to the death of tho corps’ energetic lieutenant (tho late Mr N. J. Tone), who during his connection with tho corps proved ' himself an enthusiastic and capable volunteer officer. ’The first annual camp of tho Engineers was held at Shelly. Bay during the, past year. It was an unqualified success. During tho current year an effort will bo made to locate tho camp near to some feature that will allow the bridging section of tho company an opportunity of erecting a full-sized bridge. Tho question of uniforms is now occupying the attention of tho officers, the unsuitubleness of the present khaki, and a suggestion has bean made that a blue tunic bo adopted. Tho now regulations for the earning of capitation are referred to by the report as leing '‘manifestly unfair,” as by tho rule that half tho strength ,of a company must ho present before a parade can count means that those who regularly attend are punished with tho absentees. The rulo for a fortnight’s annual camp is an innovation for engineering corps that is anticipated -to bo a cause of great trouble as regards attendances, and representations are to bo made, to the officer commanding tho district regarding the case. Efficiency badges were awarded daring tho year to Sergeant Short and Corporal Gibbs for signalling; Sergeant Beales and Corporal Willis in field engineering; Corporal Campbell and Sapper Cunningham in field telegraphy; Sergeant-Major Ilomor and Sapper Fothergill in bridging. A sum of £2 donated by Captain Holmes was divided into prises for efficiency. These were won by Corporal Furness, Bugler Colpus and Sappers Lauohlan, Hyde, Layton, Yuiilo, Westbrook. Gapes and Campbell. Tho report gives praise to Sergeant-Major Bareli and his staff of instructors for tho manner in which they carried out thoir duties. A special prize for shooting has been donated to tho corps by Lieutenant Lachlan. This will be competed for iu tho spring.