VOLUNTEER NEWS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 53, 30 July 1891, Page 8

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

[By

Torpedo.]

rContributions to this column are invited. All communications should be addressed to “ Torpedo,” and reach this office noi later than Tuesday in each week. Notes from country corps will be specially acceptable.]

The subject of remark at the Sunday parade was the good-looking Drum-Major —Captain Geddes was out of it. Kearsley led our brave defenders at the head of the band, carrying his wand of office more carefully than artistically, but he got through it with his usual bravery and self-importance.

Why is it that Captain Geddes persists in hoi ding back Lieut. J. F. Haultain’s resignation as an officer of the “A” Battery ? I know as a matter of fact that the latter gentleman, resigned long since, but Captain Geddes has shuffled off the acceptance of it in the hope—perhaps wisely in this instance—that it would be withdrawn, and from what I have heard there is a strong probability of Mr. Haultain being induced to retain his position. Is it Captain Geddes’ foresight, his luck, or his tact ? I put it down to my second query. I am glad my remarks of last week have had their effect, for at the last meeting of the “Good Old Vics.” Captain Cooper turned up, and fully vindicated himself against any charge of negligence of his corps. The Captain explained his position to his Company, produced a doctor’s certificate, said he was now convalescent, dismissed his Company and entertained them at the Park Hotel with a promise of better attendance in future.

A member of the Royal Irish Rifles in a communication asks me to say publicly that he has a grievance against a certain volunteer officer of his own corps, but as he fails to make specific charges I will take no further notice of him on this subject. What a farce I Think of itl Training boys from the Kohimaramara school to obsolete gunnery I “Go think of it in silence, ’ and ask “ Mary Steadman’s ” opinion. I say bosh'

I have received the following letter : ‘ ‘ Sir, —Messrs. Garlick and Cranwell, upholsterers and furniture dealers, gave prizes value £7 to the Victoria Rifles to be fired for, not £2O as stated in Sporting Review of 16th inst. In justice to G. & C., who don’t wish to be misrepresented, other intending donors who may be selecting prizes for some of the other companies, and the volunteers generally, I think you should kindly correct this evident mistake. —An Qt.t> Vic.” [“Torpedo” made no mistake as far as his information went. It came from a non-commissioned officer of the Vics. I shall be happy to hear from the above correspondent again on volunteer matters generally.] The Sydenham Rifles are said to possess only three rifles reliable for shooting, and one man has had three rifles burst in his hands within the last few weeks, fortunately without an injury. My explanation is that the ammunition is at fault, not the rifles; for the simple reason that the solid drawn cases have been refilled too often.

I think the Auckland Navals are dead; I have heard nothing from them during the week except from “ Chris” Smith, who is growling about not having a uniform. I have written for the loan of John L. Sullivan’s, which is just about his size. The Ponsonby Navals fired for the first time for Mr. T. Peacock’s medal at the Mount Eden Range on Saturday, and Petty-Officer John Ewan has been accused of painting the tips of „ of his bullets for “ old Davy’s target,” as his scores have been too good lately. Ewan’s score is not often beaten on the Mount Eden Range, and I congratulate him not only for this score but for other good ones lately. The ten highest are as follows :—

Totals ... ... 264 198 143 605 The possible being 1,050 for a team of ten, seven shots at each range, gives an average of 60£ per man. The Victoria Rifles thought it necessary to defend themselves against Mrs. Aldis’ charge of “ the diminutive appearance and size of the volunteers.” My advice to them is to leave that lady severely alone, for she can be. very troublesome and irritating, and her sex protects her from being handled as roughly in print as she deserves to be. There was only a moderately-good muster of the volunteers at the Church Parade on Sunday morning. The parade was called to celebrate the Jubilee of St. Paul’s Church, which is said to be the first military church in New Zealand. Major Goring, the officer commanding the district, was in command, and, .headed by the Garrison Band, they marched through Queenstreet and Customs-street to the church, The following were present: —Auckland Navals, Lieut. Commander Parker and Lieuts. Smith and Little; Ponsonby Navals, Capt Millar; “A” Battery, Capt. Geddes and Lieut. O’Brien; Victoria Rifles,* Capt. Cooper and Lieut. Somers: City Guards, Capt. Kohn; Newton Rifles, Capt. Robertson and Lieut. Taylor; Royal Irish, Capt. Tobin and Lieut. Caulton. The “ A” Battery showed to the greatest advantage. The Catholic portion of the volunteers fell out at the bottom of Wyndham-street aud marched to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Staff was represented by Major Goring, Lieut. Grant and Sergt.-Major Scully. _

200yds. 300yds. 500yds. Tl. Petty Officer John Ewan ... 31 29 23 83 Chief P.O. A. Graham ... 28 22 13 63 Petty Officer W. Sherson ... 28 16 18 62 Seaman Erickson ... 23 19 19 61 Petty Officer John Spinley ... 27 23 11 61 Petty Officer Charles Ewan ... 25 19 13 57 Seaman W. Stanley ... ... 26 22 9 57 Petty Officer G. E. Spinley ... 26 18 12 56 Seaman G. Pasley ... ... 30 14 9 53 Petty Officer W. Nesbitt ... 20 16 16 52