OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6117, 11 January 1887, Page 2

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

The annual meeting of the City Rifles wai held last night when there were oresent about 25 members of the oorpe, Cap. tain Pnrnell occupied the chair. The trcainrer's balance sheet and the annual report were read and adopted. The latter dealt with the state of the corps, and dwelt on the fact that laxity of attendance had baen against them all the year through. The apathy shewn by a number ef members had been disheartening. The real debit balance at tbe present tune was only about £30, and the company would bt able to offer more liberal prize* in future, and so help to in:rease tha interest of members. Daring the year Lieutenant Pnrnell had been promoted to the oap* taincy,. Alter referring to the N.Z.R.A. shooting and the Easter Encampment, tht report went on to refer to the signalling and ambulance departments of the corps in both both of which good progress had been made {and thanks were accorded to Dr Sorley for the oareful attention and very valuable instruction he had bestowed on' the Ambulance Corps. Shooting bad been kept up irell all the year, and the corps were congratulated on the fact that they had beaten their old rivals, the Wanganui Rifles, whom they met on the most friendly term*. The Blenheim R.fles, however, had beaten them in a match they had fired with that corps. After expressing a hope that tht shooting record would be kept up, the re* port concluded with a wish that k future the company would be "second to none." The report having been adopted, Captain Purnell alluded to certain assets not placed in the balance sheet, and the meeting weot on to discuss matters of purely company interest.

The Artillery Cadets intend having a fall day's shooting on the 22nd, when tht money recently collected will be fired for. Lieutenant-Colonel Noake agree* with ths suggestion thrown ont in thaw columns last week as to the necessity for the three Civalry troops on this coast ineetingltogether for the annual inspection, and he has impressed on LieteuantColonel Stapp th.i desirability of having this done in future. We believe tbat the latter officer fully recognises the advantages to be derived from such a plan, but at this season of the year, when the country settlers are generally busy, he didnot like to put them to too much troubled r &