A VOLUNTEER TROUBLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 37

A VOLUNTEER TROUBLE.

(From Our Own Cobrespondent.) WELLINGTON, January 31. Regarding the trouble in the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles and the alleged defection of 27 members of tho corps, the Dominion states that a member of its staff yeeterdav interviewed Captain M'Donald, Assistant Adiutant-general. The statement that 27 members of the corps had tendered their resignations as proof of their dissatisfaction was, Captain M'Donald stated, misleading. As a matter of fact. 12, not 27, had written asking to be allowed to resign. Of these four s;ave no reason, three announced their intention of leaving the district, and five pleaded pressure of private business and want of time to attend the company parades. Not one, "he said, had raised the slightest objection to the action of the department in the recent dismissal. These men were still members of the corpe, and would bo until certain formalities connected with the conditions of discharge had been complied with. The applications were, in fact, irregular. Referring to the threatened break-up of the corps, Captain M'Donald said that the officer commanding the corps, Captain Samuel, had reported to him that, as a result of the recent action taken, a gentleman had offered his services and also that of 34 men for enrolment as members. In addition, two applications for enrolment were, it is understood, received on Wednesday evening, and others were expected. "It will thus be seen," concluded Captain M'Donald, "that the company's strength, instead of diminishing-, will be considerably augmented."