The North Otago Mounted Rifles' Annual Meeting.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8834, 14 July 1905, Page 4

The North Otago Mounted Rifles' Annual Meeting.

The corps paraded, under Captain Macdonald as chairman, for their annual meeting in the Middle School Gvmnasium. at 11.30 yesterday mornina;. Lieuts. Hille. Nicol, and Orbell, and Sertreant-Major Henderson were present, with 60 rank and file drawn from all craarters of the district. This, considering the drenchintr weather conditions, must be accounted an exceedingly trood muster. After Captain Macdonald had welcomed the new members of the corps, the secretary, Mr E. Piper, read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed. The chairman read the circulated balance sheet, also a supplementary net balance sheet to the end of February, showing- an amount of cash in hand of £276 8s lid. The meetins; received the statement with applause, and Captain Macdonald expressed his satisfaction at the state of the finances. On the motion of Serjeant Thomas, seconded by Q.M. SeTtreant Welsh, the balance sheet was unanimously adopted. A representative of Messrs Hallenstein Tiros, was present with samples of uniforms for the new full dress of the corps, and the chairman invited the members to decide on a pattern. He stated that he had purposely, for various reasons, left the selection of a uniform for the men to decide themselves. After the samples had been tried on, Serjrt.-Major Henderson moved that the scarlet tunic, with dark blue facinas, white helmet, and blue breeches with red stripes he adopted. Corporal Budee seconded. Trooper Gillies moved, as an amendment, that a blue uniform, with yellow facing-s, be chosen. Trooper Menzies seconded. Sergt.-Major Henderson, explained that he was in favor of the scarlet because the effect in the aareresate would be much finer, though the blue midit posibly look better on an individual. The chairman said he had riven a "cod deal of thoiiffht to the matter, and "had consulted Colonel Robin, who. while not expressing any opinion on the merits of the two colors, considered the yellow would be difficult to clean. Only 10 voted, on the amendment being put, for the blue uniform, and a very lartre majority, nem. con., then decided on the scarlet tunic with dark bine facings. The chairman explained that the uniform selected was the full dTessof the Maniototo corps.

Captain Macdonald. adressinsr the men, said he was very pleased with the fine muster, especially considering the weather, and that the new regulations forced the corps to pay their own Tail way fares. The corps showed every sign of goin? on well in the future. Last year there were IS marksmen, and Sergt.-Major Henderson won the proud position of champion of the regiment—meaning seven different mounted corps. FoTty-nine men capitated last year. He might mention that, in addition to the 15 marksmen, there were several others just within getting the coveted badge. Referring to the Easter Camp, Captain Macdonald said that there could not have been better ground for manoeuvring than that chosen. Those who said the opposite were not correct. There were all sorts of complaints, but he could tell them that he neveT heard a single complaint from any of his men. Perhaps things were not as comfortable or as spick and span in the camp as they might have been, but they must remember that th» men were under service conditions, and could not expect everything to be made easy for them;. He was never prouder of the North Otago Mounted Rifles, since the inception of the corpse than he was with

the -way that, the few at the Easter camp worked. This explanation was necessary, so that no false impression should go forth. There were no feather beds, but there were no actual .hardships. Sergt. Thomas, by permission of the Captain, referred at this juncture to the tboughtfulness of Mr Piper in.sending the corps ample refreshments on reaching the camp at Easter. • ■ • Continuing, Captain Macdonald considered that they ought to have their annual training early in January instead of October, as at present. By this means they would get a largeT muster, because the lambing season would be avoided and there would be more settled weather. In every way January would be more suitable. ' , . , Sergt. Cunningham said early .in January would suit the town members far better than October. SeTgt. Menlove and Sergt.-Major Henderson said January would also suit the country members best. Several other countrymen expressed similar opinions: Finally, it was decided unanimously to hold the training in future in January, early, instead of October. . Captain Macdonald announced that Lieut. Hille had definitely made up his mind to retire, and it would be necessary to elect another officer in his stead.

Lieut. Hille said he was very sorry indeed to leave the corps, but he had made up his mind not to stand again as an officer. He would retire for a little, and then probably rejoin the corps. Captain Macdonald said, on behalf of himself and his officers, that they were very sorry indeed to lose Lieut. Hille. Trooper Hedley was then provisionally elected lieutenant, vice Lieut. Hille, unanimously. ... The corps proceeded to elect a shooting committee, etc., and the meeting concluded ~ At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the corps was inspected by Colonel Robin. The men were put through, under his supervision, by the officers and non-coms., rifle exercises, after which the latter had special instruction in musketry work. Addressing the corps afterwards, Colonel Robin expressed great satisfaction at the very noticeable improvement in the efficiency of the corps since the last inspection. He recognised that the N.O.M.R. were on the up-grade again, and he was very pleased to see it, and trusted the improvement would be kept up. It was a fact that all mounted corps in the regiment were to a greater or less extent weak in musketry, but the N.0.M.R., he was glad to observe, were as smart and efficient as any he had inspected for a considerable time. In connection with the inspection, it must be mentioned that the parade state showed some 65 officers and men, a very satisfactory muster in the circumstances. In the evening, instead of the usual dinner, a social and dance was held in the South School Gymnasium, which had been prettily decorated for the occasion, and, despite the wretched weather, there was a large attendance, and a very jolly time was spent.