Volunteering

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2072, 25 May 1887, Page 2

Volunteering

THE WAIRARAPA VOLUNTEER 1 REVIEW, | The annual Queen’s Birthday review of j the Waitarapa Volunteers took place at Feathersten yesterday. The day was gloriously tine, and the residents of the district made much of the occasion by their presence in goodly numbers to witness what was indeed a most creditable day’s undertaking by our local Volunteers. The Volunteers have at present the disadvantage of being snubbed by many of those who are either too old, or too incompetent to be enrolled within their ranks as effectives, because their active services are not just now urgently required, but the appearance on battalion parade yesterday and their eflicienoy in marching past and other manoeuvres proved that should an emergency occur the riiies would be quite to meet the same. The total number of troops on the ground at Featherston yesterday amounted to nearly 200, and the Valley should be proud that it can boast of such a body of men, who have nothing to gam by their services but the consciousness that they ere ready and willing to do their best to refute the idea of some that we are an effeminate and defenceless colony. The marching past was pronounced by veteran soldiers who were lookers-on, to be beyond adverse criticism and almost faultless ; so also were the other movements. It would be invidious and absurd to particularise any particular company as taking the laurels in their efficiency, as all companies, including Greytown, Master ton, Carterton, Featherston, and Papawai vied equally with each other in their endeavors to do their work with soldierlike precision and discipline. Major Bunny, the Inspecting Officer, and for the day the representative of our Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, after the movements and the men were drawn |up into square, delivered a most e oquent and impressive address ; he said he was highly gratified at the way in which the riflemen applied themselves to their duties for the day. and the efficiency they had displayed ; it was both a credit to themselves and a compliment to their officers, and the colony would one day feel the benefit of having at its command citizen soldiets such as be had the honor to command that day. The feu dejoie they had fired he asked them to supplement by three cheers (or Her Majesty this the Jubilee year of her reign. The cheers were given and the Band played “ God save the Queen ” amid many expressions of loyalty by the volunteers and the spectators.

After these demonstrations of loyalty, the Major presented Sergt Trotman, of the Greytown Rifles with the silver cup, won by him at shooting, the gift to the company by the Hon Chaplain, the Eev WT Western. After this pleasing ceremony, the Major delivered a most effective and complimentary address to the 800 Chaplain, who is about to leave for England. The illuminated address is now being prepared in Wellington for the Greytown Bifles and will on arrival be presented to the rev gentleman. Major Bunny said in effect, that not only the Greytown Volunteers hut the Volunteers throughout the valley were much regretting the enforced temporary absence of the Kev W. T. Western, but he trusted that they would all shortly see that gctleman return to them with renewed health an vigor. The Kev Mr Western suitably responded. Three hearty cheers wore given for the Chaplain, three for the Major, and soon after the Volunteers were marched away to the railway station headed by the Mastertou Volunteer Band, who were about eighteen strong, who are now almost as efficient as could be desired, under the leadership of Mr Lnndqvist Sergt Major Bezar was very conspicuous during the day by his activity and valuable instructions. The judging distances in the morning were thoroughly effected, and some extraordinary guesses, both accurate and wide of the mark were made. The bayonet exercise was also remarkably well done by the companies as a whole, as was other company movements. Captains Cameron, D. Donald, Bennett, and A. Donald respectively were appointed to take charge of the battalion movements, and those officers justified the confidence placed in them. The other officers who were present were—Captain Jurv.Fapawai; Lients Porritt and Johnston, Greytown ; Lieute Moore and Crawford, Carterton; Lieut Thompson, [Maaterton ; and Lieuts Te Ore and Naera, Papawai. There was only one blander made and that was io marching the men away towards the hills for refreshments. It was certainly a very pretfy spot selected but the tea and part of the bread was not altogether in conformity with the desires of the men many of whom preferred to go where they chose to get their refreshment. It was nnfait to the tradesmen who cater for the public, and an annoyance to the men, as the hotel keepers were quite prepared to provide dinner at a shilling a head, a sum which the majority of the men were prepared to pay for their meal. The battalion could have piled arms on the review ground and have dispersed throughout town earlier. At any rate nearly everyone interested was pleased with the days proceedings and the trip to Featherston much enjoyed. A number of tho members of the visiting companies remained bebiud for the soiree at night which was a great success, about 40 couples being present. The review ground was decked out gaily by Jubilee flags the work of Drill -Instructor Bezar.