ENROLMENT OF THE GERALDINE VOLUNTEER CORPS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3774, 13 May 1885, Page 2

ENROLMENT OF THE GERALDINE VOLUNTEER CORPS.

On Tuesday evening last those who had signed the roil of proposed members of the Getoldine Volunteer Rifle oorps met in the Young Men’s Club in that township for the purpose of enrolment. There was a very largo muster. , Mr W- M. Moore, the captain elect, presided. Dr Fish and the Rev. G. Barclay, Justices of the Peace, were present, before whom the members were sworn in.

The proceedings commenced about 7 p.m, and at 8 p.tn. Major Hawaii arrived from Christchurch aud was shortly afterwards present at the meeting. Fifty-two men took the oath and were enrolled as members of the corps, the necessary ceremony taking till near ten p.m. before concluding. Major Newall, at some length adressed the newly formed corps, giving ■ them some good advice in regard to the work before them. yv v 1 A cordial vote of thanks was; bn the proposition of Captain Mdore, Unanimously given amidst applause to Major Hawaii for bis attendance that evening.

The question re uniforms then came before the meeting, the Captain having received two tenders, one from the Hew Zealand Clothing Factory at 30s each, the other from the Kaispoi Woollen Factory at 35s 6d each. Major Newall spoke in regard to telegrams that bad appeared in the papers in regard to alterations of the color of the cloth &c., to be used. Mr Hardoastle proposed and it was earned —“ That the tender of the New Zealand Clothing Factory be accepted provided the Regulation Uniform be not changed.”

Major Nowall intimated that he would telegraph to the Defence Office on the following day, as the office In Christ, church had heard nothing, officially in regard to the matter, and wonld then let Captain Moore know the result. It was decided that as soon as the result of Major Newell's telegram was known another meeting should be called.

Captain Moore during the evening explained what the Committee of Management bad done since the last masting. Resolved—” That the action of the Committee in regard to the acceptance of the model rules, with some slight alterations to suit toe requirements of the corps, be accepted by the corpsi On the suggestion of Lieutenant Pearpoint it was decided that when a man arrived from the accepted tenderers for the uniforms, the members pay down one half the cost of same and the balance on receipt of the uniform, On the motion of Mr Sims a vote of thanks was passed to Mr A, Fisher, the Hon. Secretary, for having initiated the Volunteer movement in Geraldine, and carried the same through to such a successful issue. He would also propose that the sum of one guinea be given him for bis past services. The resolution was unanimously carried.

Votes of thanks were passed to Dr Fish and the Rev. G. Barclay for their services as Justices of the Peace that evening.

The meeting adjourned at about halfpast 11 p.m. till Thursday evening in the Young Men’s Club at 7.30 p.m. The following are. the officers of the newly appointed corps:—Mr W. H. Moore, Captain ; R. H. Pearpoint, First Lieutenant; Dr Fish. Honorary Surgeon ; Rev. J. Preston, Honorary Chaplain.

The naming of the non-commissioned officers by the Captain was postponed till next meeting. On the following day (Wednesday) Major Newall, with the Committee ox Management inspected the proposed site for rifle range.