VOLUNTEERING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 183, 10 May 1872, Page 3

VOLUNTEERING.

In reference to the winding-up of the Volunteer Band affairs, the following letter has been forwarded by the committee appointed for the purpose to the Volunteers in general:—“ Grahamstowu, May 8, 1872.—The committee appointed to wind up the Volunteer Bands estate have to report that they personally waited upon the majority of the creditois, and in every instance were promised a liberal reduction, sufficient to reduce the total liabilities, exclusive of Morris’ claims, to about £3O A circular letter to this effect was sent to captains of companies ori the 25th April, asking for contributions in order to pay off this amount, answer to be sent in by Ist May, when, if a liberal response were made, the band could be re-formed in about one week from that date. The only replies received up to this date, the Bth May, are guarantees of five pounds each from Captains Lipsey (Royals) and Goldsmith (Engineers), and Lieutenant Hazard for No 2. Under these circumstances, your committee beg to tender their resignation, as they are of opinion that, unless the Volunteers generally support a band in a satisfactory manner, it would be unfair to ask the public for contributions, either in payment of existing liabilities or for future maintenance.— H. Goldsmith, Captain T.E.V.; T. L. Mu ray, Captain T.S.V.” With respect to this letter we must express our regret at the turn affairs have taken. The gentlemen appointed to investigate the state of the band have been to an immense amount of trouble in the matter, and have succeeded in getting nearly all claims against the band very’ largely reduced. Only £3O was required to suable them to go in and form a new band, and this sum was not forthcoming, or at least it looks very like it at present. We consider that if the whole of the Volunteers do not come forward and settle the affair, that it will lie a crying disgrace against them as a body. To say that for the sake of £5 per company, the district should lose the chance of having a fine band is, we think, absurd, to say the least of it. It is uot yet too late, and we strongly recommend those who have not as yet done so, to come forward at once. For about sixpence a mouth from every Volunteer in the Brigade a band could be properly kept up, and if the men cannot afford that amount, in addition to their present expenses, we are sure they cannot afford the time necessary to make themselves efficient Volunteers. We hope that something will be done in the matter, and that at once, by those who have not as yet come to the fore.