THE MOUNTED RIFLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2460, 26 March 1909, Page 4

THE MOUNTED RIFLES.

PARADE

The East Coast Mounted Rifles held a mounted parade at Te Hapara at. 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Captain C. Hellier Evans was in command for the first time since bis election. There was a fair muster, and a useful arternoon’s work was put m in ordinary troop and squadron movements. ANNUAL DINNER. At 6.30 p.m. the annual dinner of the squadron was held at Clare’s rooms. A most excellent menu was provided. Captain Evans occupied the chair. The dinner was a highly successful function, and served as a pleasant re-union for the members of the corps. THE ANNUAL .MEETING. After dinner, an adjournment was made to the Garrison Hall, where the annual meeting of the corps was held in the orderly room. Captain Evans occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance. Captain Tombleson was elected an honorary member of the corps. The following- committees wore appointed : —Finance Committee, Sergts. Cole and Spragg; General Committee, Sergts. Barlow, Cole, Spragg, and Witters; Shooting Committee. Sergt. Cole, Corpl. Walker, Troopers Wauehop, Bsatson, and Tietien. It was decided to hold the annual ball during the last week in June, and the officers and non-commissioned officers were elected a ball committee. It was decided to hold the annual encampment from the 13th to the 20ih of May, on a site to be selected by Captain Evans and Lieutenant Hamilton. Sergeant Witters offered the use of the polo paddock at Makauri in the event of the corps not securing a suitable site. Captain Evans stated that he would like to see the squadron hold a military carnival this year, and suggested the 9th of November as a suitable date. iSergts. Witters, Spragg,. Hughes, Corporal McCullough, and Troopers Tietjen, Walker, MacDonald, Beat-son, and Leslie were appointed a committee to go into the question and report progress to the squadron in camp. The following new members were elected: —Messrs H. B. Brown, T. J. Crimmin, F. Camming, J. Graham, R. Jvelleher. N. Law, V\ . MacDonald, and H. McLernon. At the conclusion of the meeting, Captain Evans made a rousiug speech to the members of the sqnardon, appealing for their loyal support to help to make the corps renowned for efficiency. He intended, he stated, to work the squadron on the troop principle. establishing three troops in different parts of the district. The. troops would act as separate un : ts under their own officers, and hold parades, monthly on their own ground, a combined parade being held every third month. He hoped tolie able to offer a cup for competition among the troops, which should cause emulation. The captain touched on discipline, instant obedience to orders, and punctuality, remarking that the corps were strong in all qualities except the hist. He intended to try and get the corps away to next years Easter camp, even if they l had to send their horses overland. He' intimated that he had received an invitation from Captain Tombleson to bring a team up to Waimata to fire a match with the rifle club at that centre. He regretted that he had just received an application for discharge from SergeantMajor Kinder, who had been a member of the corps for seven years. Captain Evans concluded by asking all to help him to make the corps one that would be. a credit to the district- and to the Dominion. It was decided to make an appro ition for a canteen at the camp.