OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1196, 30 November 1901, Page 22

OUR DEFENDERS

By Lee-Enpield,

A CANADIAN offer to supply an additional six hundred . men for service in South Africa, has been accepted by the Imperial (»overnment. It is currently believed that should a similar offer be made by the New Zealand Government, it would receive favourable consideration from the authorities at Home. The Auckland Infantry Battalion, who pitched camp last Saturday afternoon, are settling down to their work in earnest. The musters are not so large as they should be, by any means, but the work done lias been decidedly beneficial. Camp will be struck Saturday afternoon. The Hauraki and Mo. I Ohinemuri Uilles liied a teams match on Saturday at the I'aeroa range, the victory falling to the latter team, who had JV> points to the good. Owing to .so many members of the Akarana Rifle Club being in camp, no competitions will be tired next Saturday. The last competition was won by Mr Doughty, while Mr Maughan, the popular secretary, who has shown up very prominently this last week or so, filled the second place. A school of instruction has been started at Christchurch. Although there was some talk of one in Auckland a couple of weeks back, nothing definite seems to have been settled in the matter. British agents arc active in securing houses in the Western States for exportation to South Africa. Over 100,000 animals have been purchased in the United States, and a large number in the Argentine. .Many more are yet required. The Christmas gifts collected in the colony for New Zealanders at the front have been forwarded to South Africa. From Wanganui comes word that, at a meeting of the Wanganui Riile Club held a while ago.it was decided to wind up, owing to lack of interest and the poor encouragement extended to ritle clubs by the Government. The Defence Department has entered thoroughly into the work which is to be done by the Military School of Instruction, and has appointed two firstclass instructors in Sergeant - Major Russell, of the Royal Engineers, and Sergeant -Major Keith, of the Hythe School of Musketry, who will devote his special attention to that branch. It is understood that the Defence Department has been recommended to appoint Cols. Sonimerville and Collins as an executive committee to carry out the arrangements in connection with the next New Zealand RiHe Association's Meeting, which will probably be held in February. So far, it is not known what the Government proposals are, or what amount will lie voted for the meeting. The Eden Cadets, under the com mand of Captain Shepherd, have been having splendid musters at the camp this week. Some good recruits for the volunteer corps should be available troni this company in a year or so. The second competition for Mr Harry's presentation clock was iired on Saturday at Waihi, Privates Morrison (79) and Parslow (7S) being the highest scorers. The '• A " Battery and the Auckland Mounted Rifles are camping in the Domain with the infantry corps. They remain under canvas for a fortnight. Ihe programme for the New /Sealand Ritle Association Meeting of 1902 has not yet been issued, and as the Bisley team will probably be selected at this meeting, no time should be lost in fixing the date. The Government has taken over the control of the Association, and those responsible should hurry with the programme, At present tnere is a doubt as to The month in which the meeting will take place, but this should, if possible, be January, and as early as possible in

that montli. There is another point to look at, the. Federal Match, which is due in New Zealand this time. Volunteers are asking whether the Government intends to send Home a Contingent to take part in the Coronation ceremonies, Mid, if so, what are to be the conditions. It is time some definite information was circulated on this subject. The Auckland Navala, with an excellent muster, went into camp on Friday for their annual course of instruction.