VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 885, 9 September 1879, Page 2

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

The head-quarters detachments of the J. Battery N.Z. Artillery paraded for instruction at Makaraka on Tuesday last, and went through a course of drill under the the supervision of Battery Instructor Featon. The town detachment, under Instructor Huddleston, were put through the manual firing exercise concluding with the bayonet exercise. This detachment is making marked progress, and promises soon to be a smart and effective corps. The Fife Band lately added to thiir strength are fast becoming eihcient musicians, under the ableinstruction of Drum-Major Owen. The company parade of the rifles on Friday was not a success, owing no doubt, to the concert m aid of the church, combined vith the excitement of the election. As the usual place of drill was otherwise engaged, the parade took place at Sheppard'a Hall, where they were together with the Artillery put through the bayonet exercise. The Government have suggested to the officer commanding the district, with a view of clothing the Volunteer force throughout the colony m uniform pattern and color, that the Gisborne Rifles adopt a similar dress to tint worn by regiments of the line, and promised every support and assistance m getting the necessary materials, and as they intend to keep a supply of cloth m store, to meet any demand that may be made, there will be no difficulty experienced m following up the suggestion. The adjourned meeting, m the matter of the erection of a drill-shed' iir. Gisborne, will take place on Friday^ | evening next, at Sheppard's Hall, when the executive committee will inform those interested, what steps have been taken, beyond the opening of subscription lists, towards furthering the idea. It remains now with those who wish to give a stimulus to volunteering gymnastic classes and the proper pliyical training of our rising generation, to put their hands into their pockets and contribute their dole to the' general fund. The committee are anxious to raise £150, so as to enable them to claim a like sum from the Government. For £300, a good shed, with gymnasium combined, can be erected, which will not only be a boon to the present generation, but to the future as well, and will do more than anything else to raise the flagging interests m volunteering matters. The sole burden of finding the necessary funds should not

be left to the Volunteers alone, but th^y should be assisted by all classes, especially by fathers of growing families who would benefit hereafter byj- having a comfortable place for tljeir boys io assemble and be instructed m the arts of war, and be set up and exercised m a manner so necessaey to colonial youth.