Volunteering.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1800, 26 February 1886, Page 2

Volunteering.

NATIVE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

The Papawai Native Volunteers paraded on Tuesday last, (or the first time, when arms were issued by Instructor Bezar. They are the long sniders with bayonets. The Instructor drilled the men with rifles, showing them bow to hold them ; then they were ordered to ground arms, and were for nearly two hours put through their facings, and their performances were far beyond expectations. They were then put through (oars until they appeared almost perfect at it. Kifles were taken up, and they were instructed in the fixing and unfixing of bayonets ; this they did very well after a few trials. They all took the keenest interest in the instructions given, and there were but lew terms used that they did not all understand. Captain Jury and Lieut Martin Te Ore were called into requisition a time or two to explain in Maori congratulatory expressions from the Instructor when they did anything very well.

The Instructor, before dismissing the Company, gave a few bints as to bow they were to keep their arms, &e., in order, and addressed a few encouraging words, expressing a hope that at the next meeting of the Colonial Bifle Association there would be some members of the corps there, and if they failed to secure the belt, be felt sure they would give a good account of themselves, as lie had already seen what some of them could do when in the Qreytown Kifles. He assurred them that their interests would be well looked after, and with the opportunities they had of open air drills, they would be well up iu a few months.