THE VOLUNTEERS.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8278, 19 June 1895, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Liect. - Oolohhii Pitt who aooompanied Colonel Fox In his inspeotion of the Marlborough Volunteer!, returned home laat evening. On Saturday afternoon a battalion parade took place of all the companies, when a total of 178 were on parade out of 221. The companies to parade were the Mounted Eiflea (32 oat of 52), Blenheim Bines (63 out of 08), City Rifles (34 out of 48), and Cadets (49 out of 63), The usual routine drill wa» gone through, and some ecßsiderable time was devoted to outpost work, Col. Fox subjecting the men t« a good deal of examination as to their duties. Speaking of the Blenheim Volunteers, Col. Fox said they wera a fiae body of mea, and repeated his remarks in yesterday* Issue to their being at fault in a few minor details. He was pleased with the ! way the Cadets went through their drill, and a good deal of the credit was due to the inbtruotors of the corps. The guides and markers were really good. The Mounted Biflea were congratulated upon their efficiency. Before the parade of the City Bines was dismissed, Lieut.-Col. Pitt laid ha was sorry to see the oorps had diminished so much ; he did not know the oause, bst reminded th§ men that he would only be too willing to investigate any matter brought before him, though the proper medium was their Captain. Tee City Rifles were in oharge of a sergeant, aU the officers, it appears, being unavoidably absent.

Referring to tbe inspection, tbe Marlborough ' Times ' points out that the mistakes made were generally dee to the r'rill now in operation being alt-ipether different to whai it waa a few yea's ago, and a great diffiaulty was experienced in getting the newest "books on oompanv, and guard, and battalion drill up:m -which Col. Fox bases his examinations, should be forwarded for tho information of the officers. In some of the newest books we find several points cf detail quite different." These remarks were i ffered as a suggestion to Col. Pitt, who, it was hoped, wou'd be " able to put his officers in Blenheim in possession of the necessaiy information." We were under the impression that tbe Marlborough contingent had the same facilities regarding b oku and information that tbe Nelson Volunteers have.