VOLUNTEER ITEMS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11689, 22 November 1892, Page 2

VOLUNTEER ITEMS.

* I By "Union Jack." ] Government inspection parade of tho Wnnganni Rifle 3, at 7 30 to-night. Tho Navals, as I expected, did not allow P.O. Bavege to leave thorn without showing in a fitting manner their appreciation of his long association with them. The tokens Ms old comrades handed to him on Tuesday evening last will be long held by him as momentoes of goodfellowship, and will recall feelings of pride for the efficient body of which ho was so long a mombor. I hear very littlo concerning the Alberts nowadays — indeed thoy seem to bs glid ing very quietly up stream. But I just managed to gather one little item of interest anent them for this week's notes, and that is that when they have disposed of their class firing and aro all clear for business their present officers, Lieuts. Day and Skipwith, intend to present them with trophies for competition ; but that is not all, for there is sorcm talk of a conjoint non commissioned officers' prize as well. Tho third competition of the first and second cla&ses of the Navals for their Captain's cups takes place on Thursday at 5 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. That reminds me. The result of the third class' second competition, fired on Thursday Last, has not yet — that is upto the time of writing — appeared in the press. There must have boon fully fiftoon men out on that occasion, probably one or two more, so that it would of course have been difficult to have compiled thorn before. Perhaps they raay npppar in this issue, but I my f elf do n3fc expect them until about Thursday— they should, if worthy of publication, bo ready in seven days .' Not so the' Wang.inui Rifles, for this corp3 went out on Friday morning to do battle in the first trial for Liett.'onrinfc Hughos clock, and tho result of their efforts appeared in the same evening's paper. This is as it should bo. Private A. Jlooseman headed affairs with 59, Privates SchuUznnd Read fol'owiag with 58 and 57 respectively, tlieso three appropriating ammunition pri/.»3. Some thirteen names appeared in the score list, tho lowest of which was credited with 40. I didn't sco many of the ieal old stagers, but probably they will .all come out next time. Government muster parado cf tho Naval Artillery on Thursday evening next. So the explanation of the dilatoriness of many of our intended representatives at tho Wellington meeting in January in settling down to practice has come at last — and it is not their fault. They have not the guns nor the ammunition either, for the matter of that, and consequently they cannot practice. And whe is to blame. Major Sommerville, I think, has given an emphatic answer to this query and clearly sheeted the blame home to the Government. Tho beautiful and consistent inexpediency of the Department in rrocurinfr any definite obje-thas beon again fully demonstrated in the present case, and tho non-arrival of the promised martinis is the enure, and only cause, of the present unsatisfactory stato of affairs. Had limy not pomiaod tho guns, Major Sommcrvillo himself would hnve seem to tho inattor. As it is, with tho mooting so closo at hand ;ind many men not prepared, there is likely to bi an awkward climax, and the mooting will in all probability have to be prosponed. 1 know a young volunteer who has for his- some time past been unable to attend to company duties, owing to a serious illnoss which confines him to his bed. would it not be a friendly act if some of his comrades would visit him — his ailing does not pi-'dudo his enjoying the company of visitors — and entertain him with news and n, game of cards or some similar pastime. I do not mention name nor company, but if you will run youv eyes down tlio ranks when on parado and make inquiries as to tho absent, you will easily discover him, and if not the particular sufferer to which I allude, others may bo found equally unfortunate, and equally tntitled to the same friendly attention-^!