VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 900, 22 September 1879, Page 2

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

The growing interest m Volunteering seems still m the ascendant, and fresh members are being daily enrolled intp the ranks of the Artillery Corps. It is intended m about a month's time to hold a competitive examination to till up several vacancies m the noncommissioued ranks of the Battery. There is a very long list of aspirants for promotion, great interest is displayed among them to obtain the coveted positions and the weekly parade states show a very good average attendance. The country detachments of the Battery are still m a very crude state, and will require a great deal of drill and attention to bring them up to the necessary standard. The Fife and Drum Band, under the leadership of Drum-Major Owens, are fast improving, and on Wednesday evening next intend parading at Makaraka with the head-quarter's detachments for inspection. In the Gisborne Rifles there is a faint show of reviving interest among a few of the members, but no fresh men have yet been added to their ranks. The Band that at one time promised ao much, have at last split on the rock of dissatisfaction, and tendered their resignations. Unless fresh blood m the way of recruits can be brought into its ranks, we are afraid this corps will utterly collapse. A want of energy m all grades acts detrimentally with them, and until greater energy is evinced m their duties they may never hope to make any way, especially as they are at present constituted. The inspection of the Rifles and town detachment of the Battery will take place at MacFarlane's Hall on Friday evening next, at 7 p.m. when it is to be hoped there will bo a good muster of both corps. The drill instructor has prepared some carefully-executed diagrams of the Snider rifle, breach and lock, with a ! view of imparting technical instruction to the Volunteers. Owing to the Makaraka Hall being engaged for Thursday evening next for an assembly, the Inspection Parade advertised for that date has been antedated for Wednesday the 24th.