TARANAKI KIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3135, 30 May 1879, Page 2

TARANAKI KIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

RESIGNATION OF THE CORPS. Itf accordance with an advertisement a mooting of the Taranaki Volunteer C irps was hold in the Court-house last evening, to " consider the position of the Corps." As the matter was considered of general interest the public were invited to attend, and there were fully hundred present. Major Stapp, Commanding Officer of the District, presided.

Lieutenant Ellis after referring to the object of the meeting, said ho was proud to see so'many settlers present, as he took it to bo a*i indication that a band of volunteers or traine.l men should exist in the district. (Applause.) For the information of those present he stated that exclusive of the band there were only twenty-seven men in the corps, which was very much below 'the regulation number, and it was for the meeting to determine whether they should have a Volunteer Corps in Taranaki or not. They had arms and uniforms, which after all being paid for would leave a credit of over £-10 when the capitation grant from Government was received, so that when the corps was augmented and brought up to the standard, it wouM be in a good position. Members wishing to join would have to sign an agreement to serve for two years, thus earning their capitation grant ( S4) to pay for their uniforms. Any member wishing to leave couM do so by paying the £i, or after one year's service, £2. If the uniform was paid for in advance it was not necessary to sign any agreement.

The Chairman quoted from the " Volunteer Act" to show the regulations necessary to be complied with. Any person being a volunteer could leave after giving three months notice of his intention to do so to the officer commanding the district, providing that the corps was not called into actual service before the three months expired, and there were certain other forms to be complied with, such as the returning of Government arms and accoutrements. There was the oath of allegience to be taken, and a certain number of drills to go through until a state of efficiency wasreache I. The Chairman then went on to say : To make volunteering a success you must make it a reality. There is no use in it at all unless you do so. It must not be merely a spasmodic effort, made because you fear an attack of the enemy, but it must be at all times kept up. You ought to treat it as a serious business, and put your hearts into it (applause), without which it cannot be a reality. I know some people are inclined to make little of what they term playing at volunteers instead of encouraging young man to join. Must it be said in an emergency like the present that we cannot turu out a guard of honor should His Excellency the Governor honour us with his first visit in a day or two? As regards the band, I have hoard it said that they consider they have not received encouragement from the public. Have they done their duty to merit encouragement, such as is done in other places, by getting up entertainments to purchase instruments, music, tfc i.. I may say of some of the members who joinel this corps, such as Lieutenant Ellis. Sergeant Brooking, and others who joined after great pressure was brought to bear upon them, that they have stuck to it, aid now become dishonoured. There are many things to take into consideration situated as we arc here. There are a number o£ men who were at continuous drill from ,1858 until 1574. It is very natural that they should require a rest, but I say there are a lot of young men in the place who might have come forward to join a Volunteer corps, and go through a course of drill. Of course we cannot expect men like those I have spoken of to come forward, after being continuously drilled by me for the period I have stated. The Government was so pleased with the spirit of volunteering in this district during the years 15(52 and 1863, that they doubled the capitation allowance for those years. As Mr. Ellis has stated, the corps is now at a minimum, and it remains for the people to come forward and join, and make up the corps to at least fifty. If any gentleman wishes to ask a question I will endeavour to answer it.

Mr. Decimus Atkinson asked if it was absolutely necessary for anyone who wished to join the corps now that they should have a uniform. He had been a Volunteer since 185G, and could speak from experience that when the real work came uniforms were found very inconvenient. He thought it a pity that good and true men should be prevented from joining on account of the expense of providing a uniform. — (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman agreed as to the propriety of the question, but it was a matter of finance into which he could not enter.

Lientenaut Ellis said the uniform would be supplied gratuitously, if the person remained in the corps for two years. They could not be attached to the corps without adhering to its i ulcs, one of which stated that they should wear a uniform.

Mr. Govett said he had come to the meeting impressed with the view that this was an exceptional time — one of emergency— and that it was the duty of every man, who was qualified to hold a rifle to come forward. He had the strongest objection to bind a man to serve for two years. His opinion was that under existing circumstances all those who joined the corps now, should be at liberty to resign in six months. The qnestion of uniform was a very unimportant one. If they could get a number of men to join without any conditions of that kind they had better take them. In volunteering matters as in everything else, they should take what they could get, and make the most of. He believed a, large number would join the corps, mi ler the conditions he had named, and that they would attend drills and make themselves just as efficient as those who had got uniforms. He had gone through a little mock volunteering at home, and would be glad to join under the conditions stated. The Chairman saw 'no objection to men joining under the conditions stated by Mr. Govett, and the probability was that under the exceptional circumstances he might write to Government and recommend the immediate discharge of the men in three mouths' time.

A person asked if they could not choose their own uniform, such as a jumper for active service ?

The Chairman said in case of emergency he would b 3 inclined to recommend il.

Sergeant Brooking reminde I the meeting that the object of its being called together was to strengthen the Volunteer Corps. The matter of uniform or leaving when they liked was altogether out of the question. Were

they going to strengthen the present corps or break it up ? It was hardly fair to those who had been in the corps so long and kept it together that others should be allowed to join merely for that special time.

A Voice: Id is more credit for them to come forward when they are wanted. (Applause and unproar.) Mr. D. Atkinson maintained that those who were willing to join should be allowed to do so, without the conditions of the corps being stringently enforced. There were 'arms iv the place, auud under existing circumstances recruits should be drilled with them.

Lieutenant Ellis did not think the Volunteers should be simply for scares but for all times. If they took men under the conditions named the corps would be again reduced in three months time. A Voice: Have you got any rifles? Lieutenant Ellis : Yes. You can have one to-night if you apply for it. A Voice : Well, I will take one. Lieutenant Ellis : As for joining for three months it is ridiculous, and I would not take anyone on such conditions. (Ona of those present spoke about giving the black fellows a licking. He was thirtyseven years of age, ami could remember fighting with the natives when he was five years old. (Laughter.) He was of the same mind as Mr. D. Atkinson, vis , to join a corps and fight the Maoris. They wanted fighting, for they had put their fists into the faces of the Europeans and wanted the blow returned. (Applause.) The Chairman said the position arrived at was that if the corps could not get recruits to bring it up to its proper strength it would resign ; and any persons who wished to join a corps, and on there beiug fifty names, he would submit them to Government. Mr. R. Cock thought it would be better to call for recruits at once for the corps. Mr. E. Bullot asked if they could form a corps without a uniform ? The Chairman said they wouH have to decide on a uniform of some sort, •or they could not get the capitation allowance. A Voice asked if in case of the. Maoris breaking out could not they fight without a uniform .' Another Voice stated that formerly in war tinu they put away their uniform?, and Government issued blue jumpers and trousers. A deal of badinage eusued, and the Chairman having commented upon it, Lieutenant Ellis regretted that the matter being of such serious importance should bo made a laughing-stock of. He would send in his resignation at once.

The Chairman was sorry that this should have baen necessary, for he believed the people to ba as plucky as ever, and still ready to come forward if required. They should do ho at once and get an acquaintance with the drill, much of which was new. He did not bolievc in going out with man who would shoot each other. He did not dispute their pluck,, but their were many things to learn.

The meeting then adjourned, after a vote of thanks had been accorded the Chairman.

The Corps afterwards- met, and on the motion of Sergeant Brooking, seconded by Sergeant Rylcy, it was unanimously resolved — '• That the Tarauaki Rifle Volunteer Corps tenders its resignation."