THE CANTERBURY VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 253, 5 March 1869, Page 2

THE CANTERBURY VOLUNTEERS.

} >A. correspondent, who receutly left Oamaru en voyage for the front, furnishes the following notes of what he saw of our volunteers to the Oamaru Times. We quote from that paper of March 2: —

. Shortly after my arrival I went to see the monthly inspection parade of the Christcburch Tolunteers. About half-past 5 p.m. the Yeomanry, mustering 15, including three officers and five bandsmen, arrived on the parade ground, in front of the drill shed. Here they were joined by eight cadets, the whole under the command of Major Wilson, C.B. Shortly afterwards Colonel Packe (mounted) arrived and witnessed the amalgamated troop put through troop and squadron manoeuvres. The gallant cavalry, however, did not do great credit to their officers, some rising in their stirrups, some having no command of ■' their horses, and one being the worse of liquor, and, though towards the end of their drill they began to show more smartness, there certainly appeared to me to be a great want of spirit in the corpsj»" "They, had scarcely dismissed when the foot Volunteers commenced arriving, the Cadets, Artillery, No,. 6 Company, and the Engineers. Each company was inspected by Colonel Packe in turn. The two corps of Cadets,, who were armed with the short rifle, went through their drill together; their manual exercise was indifferently performed, but this was accounted for by there being a good many new recruits in the ranks. In the platoon they displayed great smartness. They numbered 36 of all ranks, and were under the command of Lieutenant Gee. The Artillery were then put through big gun drill, but, while working away with an energy and will that did them credit, their performance; was not good, the men notseeminar to know their places. The Engineers, commanded by Captain Lean, and No. 6, C.R.V., commanded by Captain Hawkes, were then amalgamated, and, under the last-named officer, were put through their drill, and it was really worth while seeing them. The No. 6 men were exceedingly steady, their wheeling and marching being excellent. Every man seemed bent on doing his best, and the officers displayed a smartness that would have done them credit in the regulars. The artillery then took part in some battalion movements, and I was much pleased withtheir smart and soldierly appearance. '•' The Government of thisprovince seem to give the Volunteer Force but poor encouragement. Could they but look into the future they wouldsee that for everypunndspent upon their Volunteers, they will receive more than . its equivalent, not only because the population will be trained to defend their adopted country when occasion requires, but because the movement binds the young men together/ and morally and physically benefits them. And after all, the Force costs the country but a trifle."