VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11925, 25 December 1900, Page 2

VOLUNTEERS.

WELL-DESKRVED PROMOTIONS.

The announcement of the promotion of two such well-known volunteer officers as Major E. R. Smith and Captain Myers (of the North Dunedin Rifles) will be received with pleasure. Major Smith has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-colonel and Captain Myers to (hat of Major of No. 1 Battalion of Otago Rifle Volunteers. Both gentlemen have long been associated with the volunteers, and their self-sacrificing- efforts in (hat connection have contributed in no small degree towards bringing the forces generally up to their present state of efficiency.

Lieutenant - colonel Edmund Robinson Smith commenced his volunteering career in the High School Cadets, and when attached to that corps won the Cadet Chamm'on Belt of the colony. On leaving school in 1873 he joined the Wakari Rifles, was transfered to the Dvmedin City Guards in 1875, becoming captain of that corps in 1885. Won the Rifle Championship in 1894. Was promoted to Major in Command of the Ist Battalion O.R.V. in December. 1P93. Ho volunteered with 57 of his men for South Africa, early this year, hut. beinar infantry, the men were not accepted. Lieutenant-colonel Smith was major to the battalion at the Timaru camp last year, and was the rommaidinp; officer at the last battalion canin in Tahuna Park.

• Major Se;»limns Solomon Myers joined the Riverhm Rifles in 1876 as lieutenant, and was senior lieutenant in tbnf company in 1877. Cnptain Hirst, who was in command, being a member of Parliament, and away for somewhat lengthy periods in Wellington, Lieutenant Myers was ncfint; captain for some time. He joined the North Dunedin Rifles in 1085 as lieutenant, and was elected captain in place of Cautain M'Xab, who went to TnvercarariJl. Captain Mvers hns devoted n, great deal of time to volunteering, and is fond of and encourages shootin;;. His lecture on the " Training of Volunteers for Defence Purposes," which was published in the "Witness, was favourably criticised. He has been acting major for the Ist Battalion for some time, and while the North Dunedin Rifles regret losing his services as captain, they are pleased at his receiving welldeserved promotion.

— One-fifth of the married couples in France have no children.