Gossip Volunteer

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 525, 12 January 1889, Page 13

Gossip Volunteer

By Rifleman.

—Clarke's District Belt is to be fired for next Saturday week. — Lieut. C. James, of the O. Battery has returned from Melbourne. — Several naval cutter crews are now hi training for the forthcoming- regatta. — The next meeting of the New Zealand Eifle Association does not take place until some time in March. —Jimmy Parslow lias opened a ' book ' on Clarke's belt. He is now prepared to do business with all comers. —Several Southern corps have disbanded, bein.2 1 dissatisfied with the treatment shown them by the Government. —In the Victorian Volunteer Naval Artillery, the officers aye required to obtain harbora* certificates which they all do. — Volunteers are beginning to look forward to the next meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association to be held at Blenheim. —The Auckland Eifle Association is to hold its annual meeting on the 26th and 28th of the present month, and it promise? to bo a biff success. — -I have been informed on very good authority that some of the officers in the Garrison have not yet paid their share of the meas dinner at which Colonel Hume was entertained. ~- Instead of the customary money vote, the Government have granted 50,000 rounds of ammunition to the N"ew Zealand Riflo Association. The ' filthy lucre ' would have been much more acceptable. — The City Guards commenced a rifle match with a team from H.M.S. Orlando, but the heavy downuonr of rain put a stop to the match just after the completion of the 200 yds range. The Guards were leading by 2 points. —Gunner W. Lumsdon, of the A Battery, hos sixain been elected Hon. Secretary of the Auckland Eiflfi Association, and in doing so the local volunteers have shown their good sense, for a more energetic and painstaking Secretary it would be dUHcu.lt to find. —The following are the names oi the most dangerous men who intend competing for Clarke's Beit. Rifles : Captain Little, Lieut a White ana Dormer, Sergeant Fairs, Sergeant Stirling and Hay. Carbines: Purslow. Webster, Lumsden, Payne, '.Moore, and Henderson. —On Friday evening next, a shooting team from the A* Buttery are to proceed to South Waivon to lire a maLch with the local corps. The visitors are to be shown the Hunua falls, and in the evening entertained at a smoke concert. It will be a most enjoyable trip. — -Py the disbandnjent of the Auckland volunteer battalions, the following- officers are transferred with their present rank and seniority to the unattached list : — Commandant Le Roy, Lieut. Colonel Difynan, Majors Isaacs, Birnie, Tonics, Clifton, and Adjutant Skinner. — The Drill Shed is urgently in need of a telephone, but the Government do not seem to consider that it is situated in a most out of the way spot and that business men object to going so i'ar out of their way. Colonel Shepherd should send in an application for a telephone at ones. — Charlie Bartlemau, an old member of the City Guards has, at his own desire, been transferred to the Permanent Artillery. He leaves Auckland in a few days to report himself at the Mount Cook barracks, _ Wellington. I wish him success in his new duties. —Lieut. C. Jamos, who has just returned from Australia, speaks iv high ternis of the efficiency of the volunteers on that side of the water. He says the officers occupy good social positions, and that their election does not rest with the men, the Government retaining 1 that privilege for themselves. — What is urgently required in connection with the Auckland volunteer force is the establishment of a really good volunteer club, which would go a Ion? way towards securing the proper enthusiasm in "volunteer matters. I comnioiid the idea to Captain Kohn (who in my opinion ■«, ' the most enthusiastic volunteer officer iv thflsrf Auckland garrison), and trust he will bo successful in forming sui>h a club as I have proposed.

—The cobbler does not die, of course, When all Ins years are past) Because it's quite impossible For him to breathe his last. — Mrs (x.—' l understand you have bad trouble with your servant girl.' Mrs H. — ' Not at oil.' Mrs G.~- ' Oh ! then I was misinformed.' Mrs H.— 1 It was nothing. 1 was going- to have a reception, but she had arranged for one herself that night.' Mrs G.— 'And she gave hey's up ?' Mrs H.— No I gave up mine, so we are still the best of friends.'