VOLUNTEERS. DUNEDIN HIGHLAND RIFLES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 39

VOLUNTEERS. DUNEDIN HIGHLAND RIFLES.

The Dunedin Highland Rifles paiaded on Tuesday, 12th inct., for inspection by Major Smith. There was a good attendance of members, and, after beiflg thoroughly inspected, tha men were put through various movements by Captain Stoneham, and theii through attacfe practice by the section commander. The whole Wi'.s gone through in good style, and, after finishing. Major Smith complimented the men on the cleanliness of their aims and uniform «,nd on their drill. The inspecting officer then kindly consented to present the prizes won at the late sectional competition. In doing so, the Major congratulated the corps on the vay the con-petition was carried out, and noticed the benefits derived from such competitions. He said he was now endeavouring to ariange for the other corps in the Rifle Battalion to hold similar competitions, fully realising the amount of good they would derive from them, particularly the non-commissioned officers. The succebsful sections were:— No. 3 section (Sergeant Haiper), gold medal, presented by Captain Stoncharn, to go to 38igeaiio commanding section and £B 3s to be divided amongst those o£ the winning section a-t the competition ; No. 4 section, silver medal, presented by Captain Stonsharn, and £2 2s to be allotted as in the first prize. Sergeant Harper also holds for one year a handsome pair of field glasses, presented by ex-moinbers Sergant-major M'Callum anfl Quarte^master-ssrgeant Moncrieff. The corps afterwards carried a hearty vote o£ thanks to ili ose two gentlemen for their thoughtful present and for the warm inteiest they alve.ys taV.a in tteir did corps.

A successful and enthusiastic meeting was held lasi; evening to arrange for the annual ball, which 33 to be hold on Friday, August 17. All arrangements wire completed, and it is expected that the ball will be the most successful yet held.

The City Guards paraded on Monday nipht, when there were present ] captain, 2 lieuten-mts, ] colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 42 men. After the parade Sergeant Provo was called out in front of the company, ,and presented with a marksman's badge, it being his last 9 night drilling with the company. A resolu f ion was also unanimously cairied to the effect that Sergeant Provo bs made a life honorary member and retain his uniform. The Garrison Band then played "Auld lang syne" aiui " He's a jolly good fellow," after which three hearty cheers, called for by the captain, were given for Sergeant Provo, who briefly acknowledged the kindness of the company.

Mrs Robert Louis Stevenson has returned to America after her long residence in Samoa, and her many romantic voyages in strange waters and wild islands. She lives now in California, where she intends to build a house and make her home within sight and sound of the Pacific Ocean. Jtf'ew women know as much of Polynesia as Mrs Stevenson, who cheerfully accompanied her husband in his cruises air on g the South Sea Islands. Where Mr Stevenson went his wife followed, or, as a matter of fact, led the way and cleared the path. But invariably the end of a voyage found every man on board ship, from the captain^ to the Chinese cook, her devoted friend and servant. Her courage in an emergency, her uncomplaining fortitude in the matter of rats and cockroaches, her calm acceptance of South Ssa customs, the pyjamas, the bar© feet, the manners on board a trading ship, called forth enthusiastic approval. She could cook like a French chef, bind up a wound as well as a surgeon, devise sports and invent games, and had invaluable remedies stowed away in a little old medicine chest.

The directors of the AustrnJi&n Mutual Provident Society have wisely stated their case for the opening of a London office (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph), and tha statements they make are quite unanswerable. Had the policy-holders merely the assurance that the board were unanimous in their recommendation, and that they were supported " 15y the unanimous opinion of 23 leading commercial and professional gentlemen charged with the conduct of the society's affairs in ihe other colonies," they should be satisfied that the step is a wise one. As the directors show, the society cannot escape from expenses in London and other parts of the Empire ; only they are now prevented from reaping the advantages which powers of extension would give them for that outlay. They are at the same time " satisfied that the extension will seeure__a reduction in the cost of management." We need not here follow them into the lengthy comparisons they institute with British offices. We give the text elsewhere. But their conclusion is that "it would be found that the experience of this society has not been one tvhit more favourable than that of the offices quoted, while the business of these offices is of a more tenacious character., less liable to lapse, and is obtained at a cheaper rats than ours." These are definite statements, and give the assurance which the existing members have a right to receive. Are the eight members of Parliament who had the V.M.C.A. Hall meeting on Monday at all likely to know better? There can be small doubt which body the members of the society will-support. Neither shareholders nor members of companies are given to thwarting the unanimously expressed views of their directors and leading officials, and these recommendations ar-e too distinctly weighty to be set aside.