WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 2 June 1860, Page 3

WANGANUI.

We are glad to find from the following letter from a correspondent that the Volunteer service has become so popular at the neighbouring settlement of Wanganui that already a comparatively numerous force of infantry and cavalry is in rapid course of organisation. Such a body operating, if necessary, on our Southern frontier would be invaluable, and must, in any event, serve as a powerful cheek on the disaffected in that locality. We congratulate the settlers upon having Major Cooper, late of the 58th, in command — an officer held in great esteem in Auckland and Taranaki, at both of which places he served with his regiment. Wanganui, lflth May, 1880. " The Wonga Wonga, fiom Wellington, arrived on Sunday, bringing later intelligence to the 3rd inst., brought down by the Aiiedale. The principal item appears to be the move of the Ngatimaniapotos to join King. Mr Tuiton is a passenger by the Wonga, but what his mission is has not transpired j most likely to sound the natives here as to their intentions, and to inspire them with confidence towauls the Government. " I must tell you a little of our military doings here of late. Our Volunteer Corps numbers about 120 or 130, under the command of Major Cooper, a very efficient officer. We turn out every man at daybreak to drill on Tylee's flat. We have engaged amongst ourselves tho Setgeant-Major of the detachment, and we have, as a body, made rapid piogress, so that Cooper has expressed himself highly pleased with our progress. We have been out two or three limes for ball-piactice, and, on the whole, made very fail 6hOoting, considering that most of us aie raw hands, and have only got Brown Bess to fire with. Our uniform at piesent is — Blue shut, daik trousers, with the accoutrements supplied, viz., cartouche box, bayonet and belt, and cap-pouch. Our regular uniform is to consist of a grey suit, composed of tunic, trouseis, water-tight boots, leggings of canvas to keep out the wet and protect our extremities, and cap, with a straight peak, with W.V.R. embioidered in front. We have elected our first batch of officers, who are—Captain, Sam. Deighton j Ist Lieut., Walter Jowett ; 2nd Lieut., Saml. Austin — a disohaiged sergeant from the 65th. These officers were elected by ballot. Major Cooper is very popular, and I think that if ever our sot rices are required he will he the man to lead us on. We aie all tolerably perfect in the manual and platoon exercises. Our drilling for the past week has consisted of skirmishing, marching in slow and quick time, and going tlnoueh the general salute. On Queen's Biithday, 24th instant, we aie to appear with tho regular troops, and iiie a "feu de joie," besides going through various other military evolutions, &o. Yesterday morning and this, we had the military band down (kindly provided by Colonel Wyatt) to play for us while mai clung past in review older. We find that our marching is much better when theio is music to guide the step. Marching in column, or in divisions, we manage veiy well, but marching in lino we find difficult. On the whole, however, our progress lias been very lapid, and has elicited tho waim appioval of Major Cooper and the regulars themselves. Our only want now is the rifles, We shall, however soon have a supply.

Mr Reynolds sent an order to Melbourne for about 100 stand, and I hear they have been received in I Wellington. He expects to be able to sell them for £5 or £6 each, if the Government do not supply us with rifles. It is astonishing to note how the martial spirit has taken hold of us all ; every day there is some one going out target shooting. Yesterday afternoon about 20 of us went up to St. John's Bush with Cooper, target-shooting. We went and relumed in skirmishing order, doubling, halting, and so on. To-day another lot goes out for the same purpose. The natives regard our proceedings with a jealous eye, and do not like our drilling, &c. We are, however, determined not to consult them in our proceedings, but take every necessary'precaution for our own defence. " Mr Taylor, of the Church Mission, has rendered himself extremely unpopular by a letter he wrote to the Chronicle a short time ago, drawing an invidious comparison between a meeting of the natives at Putiki and a meeting of settlers at the Rutland Hotel. He called the native meeting one of " Gentlemen Savages," and ours one of " Savage Gentlemen," because we showed a little excitement at our meeting:, and good reason we had to be excited, for we had just heard of the brutal murder of five of your settlers. I really believe people were so exasperated against him, that had he made his appearance in town next day, he would have been hissed. " I foigot to mention that we have a cavalry force, in addition to the Volunteer Rifles. They numbMMiearly 60, and have three places for drill — one in town, another at Wcstmeru, and the third at Marangaia — John Cameron's place on the other side. This force is principally composed of country settlers who have got horses. They are getting on well, and bid fair to be a useful body in case we are called out for actual service. The officers of this corps aie— Captain, John Cameron ; Ist Lieutenant, J. F. Kells ; 2nd do., P. G. Wilson. Their uniform consists of the following : — Blue serge shirt, fitting tight to the body and ending at the thigh j cord breeches, knee hoots with spurs, blue cloth cap ; and as arras, a sword and revolver."