THE VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6596, 21 September 1899, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

I On Tuesday evening the Ashburton volunteers, C and H Companies, were inspected by Colonel Moore, Colonel Bailey and Major Jowsey also being present. C Company paraded fifty-four strong, and H Company fifty-five. After the battalion parade last night -a general meeting of the Linwood Rifles, for the election of officers, was held at tho or-derly-room of the E Battery, Lieutenant Drayton being in the chair. Lieutenant Johnson, moved that Lieutenant Drayton should be elected captain of the company. Sergeant Douglas seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation, and three cheers were given for the newly-elected captain. Captain Drayton, in / thanking the members of the corps for his election, pointed but the necessity of strict discipline and good shooting. Mr Johnson, the present second lieutenant, was unanimously elected first lieutenant, amd Battalion SergeantMajor Foster second lieutenant. The two officers eleoted thaaked tfie corps for their election. A parade of the North Canterbury Battalion was helcTl-st night, when Major Bay, who was assisted by Captain and Adjutant Hobday, was in command. The battalion, headed by the Garrison Band, marched to Hagley Park, where the attack formation was practised, and then marched through, the town. There was a good muster of the various corps, the parade state being as follows :— Citv Guards (Captain Creswell), 47 ; Christ's College Rifles (Captain N. L. D. Smith), 40 ; Oity Rifles (Captain Fairbairn), 41; Imperial Rifles (Captain Charlewood), 44 ; Sydenham Rifles (Lieutenant Hall), 51 ; Linwood Rifles (Lieutenant Drayton), 48; Cycle Corps (Lieutenant Finnis), 18 j Bearer Corps (Surgeon-Captain Parsons), l4j and Gavrison Band, 25 ; total, 328. _