THE VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6136, 24 March 1898, Page 4

THE VOLUNTEERS.

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS' CLUB. The annual meeting of the Christ- j church Non-commissioned Officers' Club was held in the clubroom last night. Seventeen members were present, and the president, Staff-Ser-geant'Major Barrett, occupied' the chair. He expressed the hope that the club would make a good start with the new year. He especially alluded to the necessity of non-commissioned officers making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the new bayonet drill, in order to be able to instruct their men therein. He Hras glad to say that there had been a marked improvement in the non-com- , missioned officers of the district, which now had probably a more efficient lot of non-commissioned officers than at any previons time. The Treasurer, Sergeant Mathias, read the balance-sheet, which showed the receipts for the year to have been .£9 19s 9d, including ,£6 17s 9d in hand at the commencement, and the expenditure had been *86 12s, leaving a balance of £3 7s 9d in . hand. The balance-sheet was adopted. Colour-Sergeant Beau proposed — " That .the outstanding subscriptions to the end of February last be written off." He pointed out that owing to the members having been prevented from meeting through other duties, and through the room being otherwise required, the club had been practically dormant for six months. Sergeant Hopkins seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : — Patron, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon ; president, Staff Sergeant : Major Barrett; vice-president, Battalion Sergeant-Major Foster ; secretary, Colour-Sergeant Steere (City Guards) ; treasurer, Sergeant Mathias (Christ's College Rifles) ; auditor, Corporal Woodfield (City Rifles). Colour-Sergeant Bean gave notice . of a motion for a meeting on "Wednesday next to reduce the number of. committeeinen from seven to five, three to form a quorum. The election of members of committee was postponed pending consideration of the motion. The question of altering the night of meeting was deferred to the meeting on Wednesday next. It was decided to hold the annual smoke concert of the non-commissioned officers after the Easter encampment. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.