WELLINGTON OLD NAVALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6823, 20 May 1909, Page 6

WELLINGTON OLD NAVALS

A RESERVE CORPS. AN IMPORTANT POSSIBILITY. A meeting of ex-members of the Wellington Garrison Artillery (Wellington Navals) was held last night. There wgtq about thirty present. Major A. R. Hislop (“ retired 11 list) presided. Hr Coupor (secretary) stated that a circular had been sent out in relation to forming a reserve of the Navals, and there , had been a few replies. Several ex-oflicers of the corps sent apologies for non-attendance. 'Lieutenant-Colonel J. Duncan, formerly commanding tlio corps, hoped there would be not mere lip service, and that any reserve that might be formed would take part in the defences of the country by becoming and remaining efficient. .One member mentioned that tho only promise the Government had yet made In regard to a reserve was that there would be os per year capitation and 100 rounds of ammunition. This, he held, was not sufficient inducement to the formation of a reserve.

It was stated that the present meeting was in tho same position as at last meeting—matters were not more forward. This was, said a member, a critical time in the defences of the Empire. The Government should grasp tho opportunity of obtaining the services of a body of trained men.

A motion was proposed to'the effect that members approach the Government to see what could bo dono in the formation of a corps. Captain Biss (a former officer of the Navals) said the men should approach the Government as volunteers. They should not take any notice of the 5s allowance. Regulations formerly controlling garrison artillery corps bristled with anomalies. _ All the improvements had been prompted by corps, and had been accepted by the Government as being absolutely practicable. A reserve should not ho made'too easy for members. lie-members should be loyal to the existing company. _ Nothing should be done to induce active members of the company to leave and join r. reserve. Brills should be under officers of rhe present company, as they were up-to-date. Members of a reserve should bo prepared to bo disappointed as to rank. They had got “ rusty,’ 1 and could not expect to take up their former positions. The forts were shockingly undermanned. He thought the Government’s one set of regulations for all arms was too absurd to discuss. He felt that the Government would meet their wishes, and take in good part suggestions for alteration in the regulations. i

Captain Menzies (formerly of the "Wellington Navals) explained tho difference between being put in -the reserve and becoming a member of a reserve corps. Ho thought the Wellington Navals Reserve Corps, if formed, should be willing to drill out of uniform for six months if necessary. It was shown that of those who attended that meeting fourteen were willing to join. Sixteen others had written stating their willingness to join, and this would give a strength of thirty. Many men had left the active corps during tho past two years, and these might strengthen the corps. Captain Biss suggested that all men

present under the age of thirty years should join the existing active corps.

Mr Palethorpe said it had been desired fifteen years ago to form a reserve corps, and this had not been allowed.

It was shown that 850 men had been trained in the Nayals, and that 180 members are now in the Old Nava-ls’ Association. Captain Menzies said the corps would be formed right ©noiigh, and would be a success. CClieers.) Captain Biss moved an amendment, which was unanimously carried:— That a sub-committee of six be appointed to confer with the officers of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and the Wellington Naval Artillery to ascertain the .direction in which a reserve could assist in the work at the forts; the sub-committee to draw up a report as to details of the duties and general working of the reserve, such report to be circulated to all ox-members of the Volunteer Garrison Artillery now residing in the Wellington district, with'-a request that they will enrol in such reserve. ■ The committee will consist of Major Hislop,.'Captain Biss, Captain Monzics, Lieutenant Reran, Mr'.Griffiths, and Air-Cduper (secretary).