Hibernian Defence Cadets, Dunedin

New Zealand Tablet, 16 September 1909, Page 1473

Hibernian Defence Cadets, Dunedin

The report which, was presented at the annual meeting of the Hibernian Defence Cadets, Dunedin, stated that the affairs of the corps were in a very satisfactory state. The efficient strength of the corps on August 6 was 41. During the year Captain D. S. Columb resigned, owing to his departure from Dunedin, and the vacancy created was filled by the appointment of Lieutenant J. S. Columb. Captain Columb's resignation was very much regretted, as he had done much to further the interests of the corps. The vacancy created by the promotion of Lieutenant J. S. Columb was filled by the election of Color-Sergeant Keligher to the post of lieutenant. At a military competition in physical drill, open to all Defence Cadets, the company entered a team, which won the silver cup. The corps went into camp with the other cadet companies ir Dunedin at Otago Heads during the Easter holidays, and had the honor of having the strongest muster — 42 all told, whilst the work of the corps did not suffer in comparison with the others. The uniforms are in good order, and belts and leggings are in full supply. In order to further the interests of shooting among recruits, an air rifle was purchased for in-door practice, with the result that the marksmanship of many has been greatly improved. At the cadet shooting match Sergeant McKenzie and Cadets Simpson, Lefevre, and McKeefry were very successfiil. The attendance on the whole has been very good, the three members showing the best attendance being Sergeants Sweeney and Salmon, who had not missed a parade during the year, and Sergeant McKenzie, who had not missed one for four years. During the year the corps attended three battalion parades, and were inspected three times, the jnspecting officers expressing their entire satisfaction with the company. The secretarial work is satisfactorily performed by Sergeant McKenzie, who" also attends to the storeroom. The want of an orderly room is much felt by the corps. The finances are in a healthy state, there being a credit balance of £28 at the end of the financial year. Captain Columb's report on the camp at the Heads a,t Easter was also read. In the course of his report, Captain Columb stated that the camp, although it lasted only four days, was the means of teaching the officers, noncommissioned officers, and cadets more in the way of military duties, camp routine, and other classes of field work than could be taught or explained in the course of a whole year in the drill hall. He was pleased" to say that, with the exception of one or two who suffered from colds, there was no illness in the camx?. Captain Columb tlien gave details of each day's work, to show that the cadets had not been overworked at the camp.

At the conclusion of the reading of the reports, Captain J. S. Columb, Lieutenant J. B. Callan, .inn., and the Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., addressed the members, congratulated them on the work of the past year, and gave them good advice and words of encouragement as to the future.

The election of officers resulted as follows: — Committee, officers and non-commissioned officers; treasurer, Captain J. S. Columb; hon. secretary and store sergeant, Sergeant McKenzie ; auditor, Mr. T. Deehan. The corps gave an exhibition of the various company movements, physical, rifle, and bayonet exercises, at the conclusion of which the Rev. Father Coffey presented the shooting and other prizes gained by the members during the year. The following is the prize-list : —

Shooting. — Special Mateh — Corporal McKeefry, 1 ; Corporal McKenzie, 2 ; Sergeant McKenzie, 3. Handicap Mateh — Corporal Lefevre, 1 ; Corporal McKeefry, 2 ; Cadet McKeefry, 3. Captain Columb's Mateh — Cadet J. McKeefry, 1 ; Cadet E. Nolan, 2 ; Cadet F. Marlow, 3.

Attendance. — Sergeants McKenzie and Sweeney and Cadet Salmon, who attended every parade during the year, received prizes; also Sergeant Salmon, Corporal McKenzie, Cadets Meade, Layburn, O'Brien, McKeefry, Kennelly, Thompson, McKeefry, J. Marlow, Nolan, Lefevro, Callery, Butcher, F. Marlow, Taylor, Dougherty, O' Sullivan, and Wood.

Recruits (special). — Cadets D. O'Connell, J. O'Connor, L. Graham. Neatness. — Cadets McKeefry and E. Salmon. Special, hon. secretary and store sergeant. — Sergeant McKenzie. Efficient N. CO.— Sergeant Salmon.

A bright young Kaffir, just for fun, Sneezed down the barrel of a gun ; And just to see how things would go, He pressed the trigger with his toe. A basketful of his remains Was gathered from adjacent plains; And now his tribe, you may be sure, When they have colds use Woods' Peppermint Cure.