OUft: VOLUNTEERS,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10631, 28 March 1896, Page 7

OUft: VOLUNTEERS,

The twelfth, annual meeting of ths Dunedin Highland Rifles was held after parade in the Garrison Hall on Tuesday last. There was a good muster present, and Gillies occupied the 'oliair. ' The annuai report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted, the balance sheet showing the corps to be in a good financial position. The shooting report and ammunition balance unset, as brought forward by Colour-sergeant Dempster, wore also adopted as read. The election of officebearers and committees was then proceeded rrith, resulting as follows: —Lieutenant Stonehani declining re-election as hon. secretary, Private Macfie was unanimously elected to the position; hon. treasurer, ■ Captain Gillies; shooting secretary and ammunition storekeeper, Colour-sergeant Dempßter (re-elected); uniform storekeepers, Corporals Sudden and Berwick; Finance Committee — officers, (ex ojjlcio), Colour-sergeant Dempster and Sergeant M'Kenzie; Geaeral Committe—Corporals Berwick, Gillao, and Cameron, Privates Gibson. J. Di-ummand, and Macpherson. Great interest was manifested in the election of a shooting committee, and the following were declared elected :—Corporals Sudden, Gillun, and Cameron, Privates J. Drutnmond, Macfie, and A. Williamson. Special votes of thauks were accsrded to Lieutenant Stoneham and Private Macfie, for past services. A similar compliment was also paid ex-Oo!our-8ergeant Monerieff for the mauy valnable services rendered to the corps daring his long term of office. The corps deeply regretted that ex-Colour-ser--geant Meacritff, who had been for a considerable number of years in the position of coloursergeaat, has found, his business engagements deprived him of the necessary time required for that position, bat rather than not be able to perform his duties connected therewith satisfactorily to himself and the corpß h9 has' decided torelin.iuish his stripes and'take=his'. place in the rants. The manner in which: the vote was carried clearly shows the esteem in which ex-Colour-sergeant.Moneiieff is held by his officers and fellow-members. Several other items came up before the meeting, but were allowed to stand- over until some future occasion. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. .. ..■..'.. .

The North fiuuedin Rifles were inspected' by Colonel Webbou Wednesday evening; presentCaptain Myers, Lieutenant Johnston, 1 coloursergeant, 4 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 38 rank and file. Sergeant-major Cassels instructed the company in guard mounting. After parade Colonel Webb presented Lieutenant Johnston with his long-service medal, gained by 21 years' service in. the North Dunedin Rifles. The colonel spoke in flattering terms of Lieutenant Johnston as an officer. The company expect to muster about 40 for the Easter curnp. The result of the competition for the North Dunedin Rifle Volunteers' belt, has resulted in a slight ■friction. Volunteers Richardson and Hutuijinson tied, but the shooting rules of the company provide that in the event of a tie the highest scorer at the long range shall win. Volunteer Richardson winning od the tie, an appeal was made to Major Sommerville by Volunteer Hlitchioson and answered in his favour, bat the major's decision was evidently given without his knowing of the company's rules bearing on the matter.