MILITA AND VOLUNTEERS

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3118, 8 February 1871, Page 3

MILITA AND VOLUNTEERS

The militia mustered in force on Friday last and a stranger passing by would no doubt have oeen impressed with the idea that attending drill and parade was a source of great enjoyment ; but to the initated the real cause was known. "It was pay day !" After the large sum to which each was entitled (eighteen pence per da\) had been paid by the officer in charge and a caution given to the recipients not to trust themselves in lonely places with so much money about them or to get too much under alcoholic influence for fear of being robbed. A number of them enrolled in a new corps of Rifle Volunteers, which is being formed by Lieutenant W. E. Hey wood. It was notified that a meeting of the members would be held at the head quarters of the Royal Rangitikei volunteers on Saturday the 13 ih Feb. for the purpose of submitting the name of the corps for his Excellency the Governor's approval. Should the corps be fortunate enough to secure Mr Hey wood as their captain they will no doubt become one of the best drilled and best disciplined companies in the province, as in addition to being the drill instructor of the district he is well known as very energetic and pushing in everything he undertakes. The proficiency to which the Marton band has arrived under his leadership is a sufficient guarantee of this. The firing of the first set of the militia for the district representative prizes took place on Friday morning, The higest number was made by Private Milne who scored 85. The Royal Volunteers numbering 50 strong and the Marton Cadet Corps 25 strong assembled for inspection at their headquarters on Saturday the 28th of January, and were exercised in the new squadron and company drill of Sept. 1870. In this drill a squad is told off into two parts called right and left half squads. The term of sub-division and many other stupid and useless terms are dropped. It is more useful and easier for both officers and men and should at once be adopted by the adjutant and instructor ; more particulatily by the Armed Constabulary who armed with the snider rifle. A company is made fit to take post in battalion in two. months. A most remarkable feature in the drill is that infantry need not form square in opposing cavalry but receive them in line throwing forward .one flank and back the other.