VOLUNTEER SERVICE NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9838, 2 September 1899, Page 1

VOLUNTEER SERVICE NOTES.

(BY "SERGEANT. KNOWALL.")

["Commanding officers and secretaries of Volunteer Companies throughout the district are invited to assist in making this Coluhln of general interest to the public. Reports of meetings, entertainments, shooting matches, etc., will be thankfully received, but the right is fe^ervt\d to dead with such as occasion 4r,«y require. Address all comnmuicaliona to "Sergeant Knotvall," Herald Office.]

The Wairoa Mounted Riflps held their annual ball last Friday evening. The general impression is that, it was the best that lias, yet ,l)coii hold, and great eredifc W dud to the committee for the J&ry- complete arrangements. Amongst those present were Mr G. Hutchison, M.H.R. for the district, Lient.-Colonel Stewart, Captain Seager (Wanganui Guards), Veterinary Surgeon Captain Taylor, Captain Johnston, Lieutenant Thurston, Captain Howie, Lieutenant Johnston, Sergeant-Major Burr, and Quarter-master Sergeant Davis (lion, secretary). After tho third dance had oeen disposed of, Captain Howie fell in the troops in front of tho stage, when Colonel Newall (who was also present) addressed those assembled. It was, he said, a very pleasing duty to have to decorate Volunteer with medals, and, calling upon Veterinary Surgeon Captain Taylor, after a few appropriate remarks, presented him with the Imperial medal tor 21 years' Service. Quartermaster Serjeant Davis was next preBentcd with.a,l(j years! long-service Inddal, and. «s the Colonel remarked, he lia,d yet another 16 years' service in him. 3y. tft ® way, I believe this corps possesses 16 men who have long-service medals — a £"ood record, and one to "be proud of. Sergeant Wntkins was next presented with tho silver medal for the Becond best shot in tho North Island disi tricfc under tho Colonel's command. Private Love, of the Wanganui Rifles, holds the gold medal for tho best shot. Colonel Newall then thanked ono and all for their attention, <md called upon Mr Hutchison, M.H.R., whose pleasing duty it was on this occasion to present Sergeant Davis with the Company's champion belt, ho having won it three times in succession; also to Sergeant M'Farlana tho boautiful cup presented by Mrs Ellis, of tho Commercial Ilotel, the conditions of which wor6 that it was to be won. twice twico in succession or three times at intervals! Next wos a trophy presented by Mr Wilson, who was, I believe, the first lieutenant commanding tho corps. Thiß was also won by Sergeant M'Farlane, he apparently being a Very consistent shot. The officers' trophies, for recruits joining since February, .were won by Private Aitken (first), and Private M'Necca (second). Then followed prizes for attendance nt parades, of £2, each, given by Captain Lomax and Captain Howie, for the best attendance within three miles and the best attendanco over three miles. TlJiese were won by Quarter-master Sergeant" Davis and Private Aker respectively. Captain Howie is to be heartily congratulated on being able to command such a fine body of men, and that they are made of the right stuff is shown by the following table with respect to some of the service medals hold by members. The Alexandra Cavalry will, indeed, have to "shape up" a bit else their comrades of the Wairoas will leave them far behind: — * mo B I II 1 « Captain Johnson ... i 11 — 1 Major Walkingtom. •— 1 — — Capttain Howie — 11 — Lieut. Thurston — 11 — Vet. Sur. Taylor .... — 1 1 — Lieut. Riddcll — 11 — . Sgfc.-Major^ Howie... — 11 — Scrgt. Davies — 1 — — Sorgfc. Bremer — 1 — — Pri. Winchcombe ... 1 1 — — Pri. F. Mathieson... — 1 — — Totals 2 11 5 1 In conclusion, I have to thank Captain Howie, officers, and men for the curtesy shown mo, and must again congratulate them on the success shown. Rain or no rain, the fair sex alwnys turn out well to greet their comrades, and loud were they in their praises for the manner in which they wero entertained, and they aro not likely to soon forget tho ball of 1899, with so many presentations, etc. My note the other week with respect to the measure of courtesy due to officers must have escaped the notice of at least some of the members of tho Wairoa Mounted Rifles, and perhaps a little more on tho subject may not be out of place. Just fancy the captain being addressed as "George," and a corporal addressing tho sergeanf>major as "Bill," and so forth. Yet this is just what was happening right throughout the ball. Now, men, just a little advice. You must always respect tho rank above you, no matter what your circumstances may be in private life. It's military, you know, and a little towards your captain and officers won't be out of place. Above all, don't forget tho salute, which is ono of tho first rudiments in drill. If you have any grievances, let me know wh.it they arc, and I will do my humble best to see you righted. I also wish to draw attention to tho manner in which a certain Volunteer appeared in the ball-room. It was anything but military to see him with his runic all opened, as if his only interest in tho service was to advertise the merit of some special "shirt gloss." However, this remark does not apply to the Wairoa men, but to a member of the Hawera Mounted Rifles. I trust this will meet his eye, in order that ho may not err again in like manner. A pleasing function in connection with tho Garrison Band practice on Monday evening last was the presentation of a cruetstand to Bandsman Blythe, on the occasion of his marriage. The weekly parado of the Wanganui Rifles took place on Tuesday evening. "Seventeen" members put in an appear,,ance. Needless to say, there was not much drill done. No doubt the members of this old company have the impression that in drill they are quite proficient. They are mistaken, though, for some of them have a very "raw" appearance. The Company was officered by Lieutenant M'Farlane. Tho weekly parade of the Wanganui Guards was held on Wednesday evening, about 30 members being in attendance. About 45 would have been a more respectable number to chronicle. The Company was officered by Captain Seagar and Lieutenant Dustin, and was exercised in various movements for about an hour and a half. A correspondent writes me to the effect that a meeting of non-commissioned officers was held at the Drill Hall on Tucs- -. day evening last, when it was decided to form a Non-commissioned Officers' Club in connection with the Battalion. A meeting was railed for a future date, at which preliminaries are to be arranged. Tho movement is a good one, .and should receive all encouragement possible. Insppcting- officers in tho Old Country evidently have the same faults to find as thoso in our fair laud. At a icccnfc inspection in Devonport the Battalion had been put through various movements. The inspecting officer was not too well pleased, and had them done over again, this timo with "more satisfaction. 'The Battalion was seen at its best in the manual and firing exercises, every movement being carried out with commendable precision." Local corps please note tho fact. General Sir Forestier-Walker addressed the Battalion, pointing out ono or two features where there was room for iinproveincnt.and remarked that some of the men "wore their hair rather too long," which detracted from thenotherwise smart military appearance. Strange, isn't it?

l'he following appeared in our Second Edition of Yesterday :—