Volunteer Gossip.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 554, 10 August 1889, Page 13

Volunteer Gossip .

By Riflbman

— Four submarine mines have been laid out in the Drill Shed. — Most of the Southern shooting men have received their Martini-Henry. J. — Nothing further has transpired in reference to the row in the Whangarei Bifles. — Captain Morrison is still a regular attendant at the Drill Shed, but continues to wear mufti. — Lieut. Keesing, of the Waitemata Navals, has been very ill in bed, requiring constant attention. —Next Saturday is the Navals' day on the range, and the Auckland men have a match on between married and single. — Ex- Captain Little, if I may use the term, has joined the Victorias as private. He ia spoken of as the new lieutenant for the Engineers. — The Onehunga Bifles beat the Victorias last Saturday. By-the-bye, does it not seem odd that the country corps are having so many matches on our range. — My attention has been called to the number of Navals who make a practice of wearing their uniform trousers on high days and holidays. I certainly think the officers should see that the practice is discontinued. — Chief P O. Scullen, A.N.A.V. Company, has - received his medal for long service and good conduct. It will be presented on Friday night next, and will look well beside his New Zealand ■ War Medal, gained while serving in H.M.s Navy. — On several occasions I have been present at so-called inspection parades of the rifle corps, and I was at once struck with the appearance of the men. In nearly every corps on parade, a number of men were to be seen wearing blue tunics, and others scarlet. The contrast was' most ridiculous. — Chief petty officer Spinley of the Ponsonby Navals was examined by Sergeant Major Campbell last Monday evening. He has a very poor word of command, and does not carry himself at all soldierly. When the words of command are' given sharply, decisively, and claarly, the men work much better, and it effectually puts a stop to talking in the ranks. — The candidates this year for the two commissions in the Imperial Army offered to New Zealand are Lieutenant H. F. Fulton son of General Fulton, Dunedin) ; Lieutenant Davidson (son of Major-General Davidson), of the Nelson College Cadets ; and Lieutenant A. W. Bailey, of the Timaru Bifles. . — Lieutenant Allom of the O. Battery has resigned his position in consequence of a slight disagreement with Captain James. lam sorry to learn that a split has occurred in the 0 Battery, and was under the impression that the battery had overcome all its little difficulties and was now in a fair way to success. — Auckland volunteers will be pleased to learn that Captain Joe Sommerville has received his majority. He is one of the most popular volunteer officers in New Zealand. The following are the points he made at his examinations :— Squad drill, 90 points ; troop drill, 92 ; squadron drill, 88 ; musketry, 84 ; discipline, 98 , field officers' tactics, 90 ; guard mounting, 100 ; cavalry field officers' regimental movements, 85 ; nz'.litary administration, 98— total, 525 points. Average percentage, 91. — In last week's notes I published a paragraph emanating from the pen of "Lance Corporal" in the Yeoman, in which he tries to set me right in connection with the A Battery's seniority. First of all, I must thank " Lance Corporal " for the courteous manner in which he couched his explanation, but wish it known that 1 still stand by my colours. Since the above appeared I have not been idle, and I have now in my possession documentary evidence establishing the A. Battery's right to be considered the oldest corps in New Zealand, their date of service being 1858 — so that I was quite justified in saying they were now in their 31st year. — By way of explanation I may state that the A Battery is the old No 1 Boyals under a new title, but that is all, as men now scoring in the Battery were members of the Boyais. Amongst the number I can mention Colonel Payne (commanding the Begiment) and Lieut. Ansell, who are quite prepared to corroborate what I now state. I have, also seen the original roll of the Royals, and their minute book,clearly establishing a continuity of service. What I now contend is this, that the A Battery have a perfect right to retain the seniority given them by the sinking of the Royals, and may inform " Lance Corporal" that the date of acceptance in the Army List will be altered. If further explanation is necessary or a simile required, I can refer "Lance Corporal" to the case of the City Guards, which corps was formerly the No. 3 Bifles, but carried their seniority with them. Again, supposing I was a merchant and had a man employed in the tea department for a number of years, but transferred him to the grocery department, would ho not retain his seniority in my employ?, Most; people will say yes, and I can assure my fnencl that the position I have taken up is the right one, and hope before long to see the mistake in the' New Zealand Army List rectified!!