VOLUNTEERING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13904, 15 May 1909, Page 7

VOLUNTEERING.

S.C. RESERVE CORPS. The second annual meeting of the South Canterbury Reserve Corps was held last evening, about 30 members attending, and Captain Gabites presided.

i lie annual report congratulated members on the year's work, on a roll of 47, and on 43 qualifications tor capitation. .Eight puruvita were held, one ot' them mounted, with a highly satisfactory average muster of 32. Colonel Haw Kins inspected the corps in Oetoticr, 35 being present, and the 0.C.1), congratulated Captain Gabites on having a very line command, and eompli-iiit-nted him on the intelligent answers of non-coms, to questions on scouting :;nd outpust- duties —thanks to the practical experience they had had in the field. A class for N.C.O.s was held, meeting twelve times, to prepare for proficiency certificates; Statf SergeantMajor Clements spared no pains in luaKing the class a success, and lus efforts were rewarded by the result of the examination, all tne candidates passing with marks entitling them to sergeants' certificates. 1 liese will be presented at the annual social, to be lield shortly. Hearty thanks were recorded to Mr Clements for his valuaiile mnueiice auu assistance. une member, Mr Collins, had to resign, but he made sure or an erncient suuaiituie in Mr O'Callaghan, an experienced and capaule ornci-i. 1 lie hi.->t auu oniy mounted parade was held on Jubilee .way, and nail a dozen ex-Contingeutois n««b members oj tne corps toon part in it on invitation. Thanks were recorded to those who supplied hordes and refreshments; also to -uessrs Jmrie and Campbell for clerical assistance.

Tlie balance sneet was eminently satisfactory, the corps beginning tne year with a debit ot Is 6d and closing with a credit of £SJ 10s (id. 'Hie expenditure had been: .Drill shed £3 3s, ammunition £7 J 3s (id, marking £4 9s, Maltnus prize £'2 2s, sundries £2 Is, total (with debit) £3l) us. Keceipts had been: Government capitation (os per member; £l4 los, sales of ammunition £lO 4s (id, prize donation £2 2s, levy £L 14s (xl, sundries £l 9s. The report of the committee stated that the shooting had been eery satisfactory and showed a marked improvement on that of the previous year. 'The committee recommended that the corps should endeavour to obtain from the garrison committee, authority to order the caretaker to put up the targets when required, without the necessity for the order going through the .S.C.M.R., or any other corps. This would save a vast amount of inconvenience. Details of the matches fired during the year were given, and the report went on to acknowledge with thanks, the liberality of tin." public of Tiniaru in subscribing shooting prizes. In all, 40 prizes were given, of a total value of £34, besides a valuable challenge cup given by Captain Gabites. Corporal Campbell won the cup for the second time after a close go with Private Maltlius, who took Colonel Loveday's prize as run-ner-up. Corporal Campbell represented the corps at Trentham. Thanks were tendered to those who acted as markers mul to Messrs Westropp for

the use of a room. It was hoped that tiie new miniature rifle club would be successfully inaugurated at an early date. The' club had boon affiliated to the X.Z. Miniature -Rifle Association, and the four rifles ordered were expected shortly and arrangements had been, made for the use of a range. This was tin* first club of the kind in Tmaru and the commttee hoped that it would he well patronised in order to keep up the spirit of the corps. Reports t=nd balance-sheet were adopted. Q.M.S. Campbell was re-elected secretary and Captain Gabites treasurer, a lid the following committees were* set up:—Finance : S.M. McLean, 0 M.S. Campbell, Corporal Saunders; Shooting: S.M. McLean, Q.M.S.Camph«U. Sergts. Brown and Rutherford; Entertainment: Pvtc. Chalmers, Sergt. Lawsnn. S.AI. McLean: Mini aMire Rif" Club- Serets. Aitlcen, and Brow". Pvto. Westropp: The lastnamed- committee was authorised to r->nke n'l arrangements for organising the flnb, and obtaining a range.