DUNEDIN RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 365, 20 February 1863, Page 5

DUNEDIN RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

The adjourned meeting of members of the Dunedin Rifle Volunteer Corps was held in the Court House last evening ; his Honor the Super- • intendent presiding, as major commending the corns. There were from 25 to 30 enrolled members present; and about a dozen others, of whom five were sworn in at the conclusion of the business. The Superintendent called upon Mr F. J. Moss to report the result of the labours of the committee appointed at the previous meeting. The volunteers did not seem so ready as on former occasions; but he suspected that they would make np in energy what they wanted in numbers. Mr Moss said he had been requested to apologise for the absence of the other members- of the committee. Mr John Cargill had'an engagement which he could not break; and Mr Mills had had to go to Port Chalmers on duty connected with the powder magazine, of which he had charge. The Committee had waited upon the Snperintendent, who at once said that he was ready to do anything which he thought would further the cause. (Applause) ; and that if the Committee would point out what was wanted he would be glad to meet them. The Committee stated that the members felt that they could do nothing without a drill-shed ; and at once it was decided that one should be erected. As to the site, his Honor suggested that there was a choice between two 8 p 0 tg—the Kecreation Ground and the Education Reserve, in Dowling-street near the High School. His Honor said that he would be perfectly ready to have a shed erected on whichever site was preferred by the volunteers, —(Applause); that he was glad to see the matter taken up in earnest, and that he would meet the volunteers in the same spirit. It would •■be for the meeting to decide as to the site. The Recreation Gr-onnd would be preferable for general drill purposes ; but there was a considerable extent of level ground near the High School, and that site was certainly the more central. The ... .questions of regulations for the company, and ot "I" a 'temporary uniform, would also have to be 'Considered. His Honor had told the committee that if the department at present having control of the High School saw no practical objection, that building could be used for drilling in, until the completion of the shed.—(Applause.) The Snperintendent could not thoroughly agree that there was a considerable extent of level ground near the High School. What did the Adjutant think of it?

:. Captain Junor said that as a drill ground it was . certainly-not equal to the Recreation Ground; but it was_sufficiently, level for general purposM.y - "ancf, oh special occasions, the Recreation Ground could be used. . ! Mr Omeagher moved that the Education' Reserve be adopted as the site of the drill shed. Mr Wilson seconded the motion,.which was adopted unanimously. The Superintendent read the minutes of the General Government, with respect to the supply of 1,750 uniforms; the several Provincial Governments paying one-third of the cost of those contributed for its use, which we have already published. Of course, any such expenditure depended upon a vote of .- the Provincial Council; but he thought he could, without hesitation, affirm that there would be a thorough readiuess to co-ope-rate with the General Government in this matter. The General Government would assist, as before, in the supply of arms and ammunition, the payment of drill instructors, making firing grounds, &c. What was really wanted now, was that the volunteers should help themselves What the uniforms would prove to be, when they arrived from home, he did not know ; but he did know that, if the volunteers were in earnest, they would don those uniforms though they proved to be yellow. What was wanted temporarily, was something cheap and ordinary, so that they might get to work as soon as possible. Sir Omeagher proposed that the temporary uniform consist of a light tweea jumper of warm material, with a cap of the same color, but of fighter material. Mr Willis seconded the motion. The Superintendent was satisfied that the simplest thing would be the best. He would put on gladly some such thing as a loose strong blue shirt; if slightly braided with red so much the better, as being more distinctive. In reply to the Superintendent, Mr Omeagher said he believed that such a jumper and cap as he proposed could be got from Melbourne at LI at the outside. The Superintendent doubted almost whether any one here would take the order. When the matter was discussed before, a tailor was induced to get some particular cloth, and it was all left on his hands. Mr Wilson moved that a blue flannel shirt or jumper, and an ordinary glaze I cap be the temporary uniform. Mr Simpson seconded the proposal. Mr Jackson suggested a grey single-breasted tunic, with red or green braid. The Superintendent said that twice before they had got to this point as to uniforms. He wished they could get into something. (Laughter.) Mr Leary moved that the subject of a temporary uniform be referred to a Committee of three, with instructions to report after drill at the first parade. Mr Muraford seconded the proposal. The other propositions were withdrawn so as to leave Mr Wilson's for a blue shirt, as the motion, and Mr Leary'sfor a Committee, as Ihe amendment. The amendment being put, was negatived by' 12 to 9 ; and the motion was also negatived by 11 to 10,_,50 that no decision was come to. A motion for a Committee of seven members to prepare bye-laws was proposed by Mr Omeagher, and seconded by Mr Mumford. An amendment, that the work be confided to the existing Committee of three members, was proposed by Mr Wilson and seconded by Mr Simpson ; but it was negatived by 14 to 12, and the motion was adopted unanimously. The following were appointed as the committee : Messrs Moss, John Cargill, Mills, sen., Omeagher, Mumford, Leary, I and Jenkins. Five members were sworn in, and near a score gave in their namts as competitors for the Go- j vernment prizes for shooting, it being intimated that butts would be prepared if possible, and that J names might be sent to the Adjutant, at the office ' in Princes-street, hstween 10 and 1 o'clock to day . this being the last day for entry. i The proceedings were closed by a vote of thanks < to his Honor for presiding. i