VOLUNTEERING JN SOUTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 11

VOLUNTEERING JN SOUTH OTAGO.

ENTHUSIASM AND SUCCESS. The volunteer movement, which figured prominently in the life of most communities in the early days and, in fact, for very many years afterwards, had a number of enthusiastic supporters in South Otago. At a meeting in the Alexandra Hotel, Port Molyneux, as far back as 1864, at which about 100 persons were present, it was decided to form a volunteer corps, and more than 80 young men signed a memorial praying for enrolment. A meeting was held in Balclutha in the same year with the same object in view, > and as the outcome of these meetings the first corps in the district was formed. There were some splendid marksmen in the old Clutha Rifles, an infantry corps, in the early days, prominent amongst them being the Andersens, Willocks, Smaill, Mason, T. A. Johnston, and Hogg. They won the New Zealand belt on more than one occasion, and had a very fine record in the “seventies,” but they died away about 1860. In 1898,

through the energy of Mr J. W. WilsGa and the Hon. D. T. Fleming, the Clutha Mounted Rifles were formed, and they became a very popular body. Members of tliis corps, especially Captain Harvey, who was killed at Ottoshoop, and Captain Pennycook, took a prominent part in the Roer” War. Captain Watt was in cornmaud of the corps for a year or two, and he was succeeded by Captain R. R. Gngor, now Colonel Grigor. The Clutha Mounted Rifles had a successful career until the territorial system came into operation, when all the volunteer companies were disbanded. A year or two after the formation of the Clutha Mounted Rifles the Clutha Rifles were resuscitated* and they carried on successfully until they were displaced by the territorials. The Kaitangata Rifles had a successful career for a long lime. Its members were very enthusiastic, and took a prominent part in numerous competitions, enjoying a large measure of success, both at Dunedin and Trcntham. This corps took up the position of prominence formerly enjoyed by the Clutha Rifles. Voluntee® Corps were also in existence at Owaka and Clinton for a time, and both achieved a large measure of success. A Volunteer Corps' was formed in Milton about 1864* and had a very successful career.