CORRESPONDENCE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8517, 8 April 1895, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

The Naval Artillery.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, — A little explanation as to the cause of the partial di»b»ndment.of the Wanganui Naval Artillery might be of interest to your readers. It is an acknowledged fact that the Captain of tho corps has grown weary of his command, and has frequently expressed himself that the game was not worth the candle, and has now availed himself of a favorable opportunity, viz., the proposed conversion of the corps as Naval Artillery into a Rifle company, to quit the service. There can be no objection to Captain Clapham becoming tired of volunteering, my surprise is, that he has held on to long, some Volnnteers are tempted to continue their service on acoount of the position they hold, others because the spirit is bred in them, from my knowledge of tho officer commanding the Wanganui Naval Artillery, the former is applicable. The general meeting of the Company was mainly composed of men who had given tha required notice to leave nt the end of the Volunteering year (Feb. 88th). A resolution for the disbanding of the corps was sasr to bring about, backed up by assistance from these men, who wore to all intents and purpo;e. non members, It is due to Lieutenant Neill, to state that he was loyal to his Captain until he found he 'meant to disband the corps, and it waa only then that Lieutenant Neill decided to continue the services of the corps, backed up by several members. Further, when the time came for recruiting new members arrived, many offered themselves, but were not allowed to be sworn in. That the Navals can recruit to full strength, I have no doubt, and why Captain Clapham, or any members should interfere to prevent such a desirable object, I am at a 100 a to understand, it if very like " the dog in the manger." By all means join Lieutenant Neill, the opportunity to continue the servicea'.of a corps, which has ever been a credit to the district. I am, eta.

W.R.V.

Captain Edwin wires — Indications for fiost to-night and for decreasing tides ,

In to-morrow's paper a spßoial time-table will be published for the > approaching Eaatsr holidays for excursionists by the Caatleolifi Railway.

The adjourned meeting of the Assessment Court for the Borough of Wanganui ia being held this afternoon as we go to press.

Mr Brabant, 8.M., dismissed the application to-day to get aside the award made in the case of Hamilton v Wilkie and Wilaoa. The matter was originally referred to Mr E. N. Liffiton, and he awarded tho plaintiff £26 10s 7d and coats ££ 17s.

For the extraordinary vacancy upon the Wanganui Education Board, caused by the resignation of Mr John Notman, the nominations have been received of Messrs F. Pirani, M.H.R , and S. H. Drew. These nominations, some before the Board meeting to-night, and the election takes place at next Board meeting.

This evening the choir of Christ Ohuroh will sing (for the first rime in the colony) Hall's short Lenten cactajta " Ia it nothing to you ?" The work consists of a tenor aolo and chorus ; Mr Leonard will sing the solo and well-known hymns will be interspersed for the congregation. There will be no offertory.