THE VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6195, 24 March 1888, Page 4

THE VOLUNTEERS.

A Government _ parade of the First Canterbnry Battalion took place yesterday evening. The following was the strength of the various compan es : — A City Guards, Captain Bishop 40 B College Bifles, Captain Harper ... ... 80 C Chrißtehnrch Bifle-', Captain Bristow ... 41 D Svdenham Eifles, Captaiu Coxon ... 35 E Scottish Kifies, Oaptain CampbeU ... 61 P Biclimond Biflea, Captain Bowron ... 27 * G Irish Eifles, Captain lionghrey ... ... 33 Total ; ... 263 Garrison Band, Bandmaster bearoll ... £3 Tctil on parade ... , ..,3} 6 Major Joyce was in charge of the parade. _IMa.Tfor TPnanGia, Xfieu.ten.ant JoHnston (■Adjutant), and Captain Linn (Quartermaster), were also present. The men were put through the manual and sword bayonet exercise on the Drillshed gronnd, the work being done in a manner which indicated the presence of several recruits in the ranks. Afterwards the Battalion marched through the town headed by the Band and- the Pipers of the Scottish Eifles. The marching was fairly good, bnt there was a reprehensible tendency to talking in the ranks, and one or two of the men so far forgot themselves as to reply tothe remarks made by acquaintances in the crowd which accompanied the column. After returning from the march, the Battalion formed in the Drillshed, where Lieutenant-Colonel Tosawill addressed the parade. He said that as there seemed to be some misunderstanding about the camp to be held at Easter, he would Btate that the Government would bear all expense, except that of food. Eegimental orders would be issued immediately in compliance !with district orderß on the subject. Ho wished to meet tho captains of companies after the parade, in order to make necessary arrangements. Since the formation of the Battalion it had attended two camps, and hai gained >a name which would last for a long time. He wanted to Beo them keep that name np. The matter was entirely in their own hands. The present opportunity was the first they had had of appearing in camp in the vicinity of Christchurch. No man who hadthe good of theregiment at heart would wish its reputation to tumble down, as ifc would do unless the Battalion was well represented at the camp. There would be no difficulty, as there had been at camps held at a distance from Christchurch, abont men leaving their work, for leave would be granted on Saturday to all men who were compelled to return to town for that day. He thought it would be a disgrace if the Eirst Canterbury did not turn out every man. There had been a bit of growling lately among Volunteers, and rightly so, for they had inherited the red coat of the British soldier, and with it his privilege of having a growl. He hoped, however, that they would stop now. The capitation had been cut down, and thoy had had a good growl, but growling would not restore ifc again. It wag of no use saying that this, that, and the other would not be provided at the camp, and he hoped that each company would vie with the others in turning ont. The recent slap in the face wa3 the first the Volunteers here had had, but ifc was a deal milder than at first sight appeared. The history of the British Army and Volunteers showed that they never fought their best until they had had a slap in the face, and the Volunteers here should copy the fine example of the British Volunteers. If they were worth their salt they would obey orders, and the orders they had received were to goto camp at Easter. They were not Volunteering merely for fun, but from a sense of duty; not only for themselves, but for their iellow-citizens. They shonld show not only Canterbury, but the whole of New Zealand, that they could do their duty. He wanted them to remember the oath they had taken to serve faithfully as long as they were Volunteers. I£ they could not do that when training to defend, their shores they would not be worth their salt when the enemy came. He would again ask every man to make up hia mind to do his duty at the present time; The parade was then dismissed.