THE MILITIA

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1412, 13 March 1860, Page 3

THE MILITIA

As it is generally reported that Major Trafford will call out a portion of the Wellington Militia immediately, very possibly to-day, our readers -will no doubt be glad to be informed of the provisions of the Militia Act passed during the last session of the General Asiembly, and now in force.

The Wellington Militia district comprises all that portion of the Province contained within a radius of twenty mites from the Police Court. The present \Ut of persons qualified to serve will expire in a few days — a Bonch of Magistrate.? being summoned for the 20 th instant, to form a new one.

The " Militia Act, 1858," empowers the Governor to call together, arm, and array a3 a Militia, every British male subject, residing in any proclaimed district, between the ages of 18 and 60, except the Judges of the Supreme Court, Members of the General Executive, Members of the General Assembly, Superintendents, Members of Provincial Councils during session, Ministers of

Religion and Catechists, and all who by reason of lunacy, blindness, deafness, lameness, or any disorder, are unfit for actual service. Our Provincial Council being in session, the members thereof come within the favored class.

The Officers are appointed by the Governor , and he may create in each district a permanent staff, consisting of an Adjutant who shall be paid at a rate not exceeding Bs. a day, a Sergeant not exceeding 4a. a day, a Corporal, not exceeding 3s. a day, and a Bugler or Drummer not exceeding 2s. and 6d. a day. The regulations for training, equipment, and pay of the force are also to be made by the Governor from time to time.

" In all cases of actual invasion or imminent danger thereof, and in all co,3es of rebellion and insurrection, or upon imminent danger to any part of the Colony," the Governor or some one deputed by him for the purpose, may direct the commanding officer of any district to draw out for actual service, the whole or any portion of the Militia with all convenient speed, and in such manner as shall to him seem best adapted to the circumstance of danger, and continue that service so long as danger shall render it necessary. On no account are any of the force to be ordered out of the boundaries of their district ; except such as may volunteer for service out of the same.

When only a portion of the Militia is called out, the persons who are to serve shall be chosen by ballot according to such rules as the Governor may make for that purpose. Substitutes are permitted, and the person originally drawn can not be again called on for one year. In ordinary cases where no imminent danger exists, fourteen days notice in some conspicuous place is to be given of the meet for training : but, no militiaman shall be compelled to attend for training and exercise more than 168 hours in any one year — of course this does not apply to the times of imminent danger already alluded to. Penalty for non attendance at the proper time, absence or desertion, any sum not exceeding £20. Notice in writing to be given to every person called to actual service or left at his last place of abode. If he does not appear and march in pursuance of such notice, he is liable to be apprehended as a deserter and treated in pursuance of the Articles of War : and in all cases of whatsoever the said Articles, the Mutiny Act &c. ara to apply. In the event of being disabled, a pension similar to that allowed to the Queen's troops will be granted. The following is the oath, to be taken by every Militia-man under a penalty not exceeding ,£2O. " T A. B. do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and I will faithfully serve in the Militia until I shall be laiofully discharged" If any Militiaman pawn, sell or lose any portions of his equipment, or neglect to return them, or if any person willfully buy or conceal them he shall pay a sum not exceeding £10.

A Militia List is to be made up every March, — the one for the previous year remaining in force until the ne\V one is completed.

The Act also provides for the encouragement of Volunteers into the Military and Naval Services of the Colony. The Governor may make regulations for their enrolment, which shall have the same force as if they were part of the Act. As there is a great desire to know .whether volunteers are liable to serve in the Militia, we quote the precise words of the Act on this point : — " Provided always that whenever the whole of the Militia of any district is drawn out for actual servicej the Volunteers in such district shall always be liable to serve, either as a body, or such of them as are on the Militia Roll as part of the Regular Militia ; and that .whenever a part or certain number only of the Militia of any district is cho3cn by ballot for Actual Service, any Volunteers being on the Militia Roll shall be liable to such ballot, and if chosen, to serve accordingly, unless they shall be or shall consent to go, if required on Actual Service as Volunteers.