OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXVIII, Issue 28, 28 March 1908, Page 14

OUR DEFENDERS

By Lee-Enfield.

THERE are a number of New Zealanders wh« still cherish the

thought that they will eventually receive the arrears of pay to which they hold they are entitled for fighting the Empire's battles in South Africa. The British authorities are proverbially long-winded, and in their dealings with the contingenters they have apparently acted up to their reputation. As the publio are well aware, much dissatisfaction exists among certain sections of our contingents with regard to their pay, and the discrepancy between the amounts paid over and the sums these members allege are due to them is considerable.

The first shot in the action which is now contemplated has been aimed at the burly figure of Colonel Porter. Lieutenant Cribb, a resident of Greymouth, who served in South Africa under the Colonel, asked the local Magistrate's Court for an order against his superior officer for back pay, amounting, with interest at eight per cent., to £74 14s. The case has, however, on an application made to the Supreme Court on behalf of Colonel Porter, been removed to Wellington, and will be heard in due course at the Supreme Court. There is little chance of the Colonel being made personally responsible for the debt, as the matter is said to be purely one for the British Government to deal with, but the case is being watched with considerable interest, nevertheless. By the way, according to a Southern exchange, a movement is on foot to petition Par-

liament on behalf of a number of officers and men who have not yet re-, ceived pay for services rendered in 1901. ' i There was a Trentham touch about the weather on Saturday, when the competcion for Clark's Cnp took place at Penrose under* the most unfavourable conditions. Heavy showers swept the range at frequent intervals, and the strong, gusty wind that prevailed made Bhooting exceedingly difficult. G. Watson of the No 1 Garrison Artillery established an indisputable claim to the trophy for the ensuing year, his total of 93 points being a splendid effort. G. Farley, the most promising of our young shots, was again in evidence, finishing second, three points behind the leader. A detachment representing the No. 2 Garrison Artillery Company will compete in. the signalling events in connection with themilitary sports at the Napier Carnival this week. The men are under the charge of Captain Forbes, and have been" working energetically at the various practices for some time past. They should give a good account of themselves. Volunteer companies are now arranging for their annual meetings, which, to comply with Defence regulations, should be held this month. On the whole the year just passed seems to have been a satisfactory one, and the companies have capitated very well.

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