VOLUNTEER MEETINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3140, 5 June 1879, Page 2

VOLUNTEER MEETINGS.

A meeting of persons willing to enrol under the special conditions for the defence of the district, was held last evening in the Courtroom of the Taranaki Institute. The attendance was large.

Major Stapp occupied the chair, and read the advertisement convening the meeting ; also, special regulations nnder which the proposed corps would be formed.

Major Atkinson said that he hoped the proposed corps would lose no time in endeavouring to gain a standard of efficiency, for it would be perfectly useless to put arms in the hands of men who did not understand how to use them. He said if the Government at any time required a bod y of men 'to strike a decisive blow, he thought the Government could depend upon them to do it. He hoped they would now come forward and enroll.

The question was asked whether the corps would interfere with the old Taranaki Volunteers, i

The Mayor said the proposed corps was not intended to clash in any way ; with the original Taranaki Volunteers. He ai one time thought the old Volunteers were disbanded, but he found that was not the case. They could either join the general Volunteers or the special corps.

Mr. N. Hooker thought that they should briug pressure to bear upon the Government to supply them with Snider rifle 3. • One man armed with a Snider rifle was worth six men with the Enfield.

Major Stapp said that pressure wouM be brought to bear upon the Government. They could depend upon that.

It was suggested that Major Atkinson should swear in the persons willing to become volunteers, but Major Atkinson stated that it would scarcely be compatible for him to do so in his position. Major Stapp then proceeded to administer the prescribed oath, in sets of four. The first four sworn in were Captain Skeet, and Messrs. J. Atkinson, Westou, and Kirk by. After the swearing iv process had procccde for some time, the candidates began to be more reluctant in coming forward.

Major Atkinson said he hoped if there were any reasons that were keeping them back they would state them. A Voice : It is because we are not to have the Snider rifle.

Major Atkinson hoped that would not prevent them from joining the corps. If they came forward willingly now it would, perhaps induce the Government to be more expeditious in .serving the Snider out to them. He understood there was an impression prevalent that volunteers had not the same privileges as the militia in regard to pensions if they sustained any injury during active service. This was quite a mistake. Volunteers had equal privileges in that respect with the militia, and he trusted that would not prevent them enrolling.

Candidates then came forward more rapidly and the swearing-in was proceeded with. At the close of the meeting the Chairman stated that Lieutenant Ellis had attended the meeting and informed him that the roll of his (Lieutenant Ellis') company had been increased to forty-five strong, and it only required five or six more to complete the roll. He might also state that Lieutenant Ellis, caidially endorsed the opinion, that there should be no feeling of jealousy between the different corps, and hoped they would work harmoniously together. If at any time any of those who enlisted in the special corps desired to leave, and join the general corps they could do so, and their services in the special corps would be counted in their capitation allowance for the general corps.

Lieutenant Ellis then addressed the meeting. He said he believed two companies would work better than one. In fact they should {have three companies ; the other company to be a cavalry company, and then they would make a very creditable show in conjunction with the two companies in the country districts.

Major Atkinson stated that it would be advisable to postpone the election of officers until the different companies were formed, Captain Skeet in the meantime to take temporary charge. Arms would be served out to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock at- Marsland Hill. At the conclusion of the meeting it was found that 62 volunteers had enrolled. It is expected that many more will join within the next few days.

There was also a meeting of persons interested in forming a Cavalry Coijps, held at the same place, when 45 members were sworn in. Mr. Jas. D. Davidson was- elected captain of the company. The number of volunteers now in town arc :—cavalry 43 ; general volunteers, 45; and specials, 62. Total 152.