HURAMUA MOUNTED RIFLES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2599, 6 September 1909, Page 2

HURAMUA MOUNTED RIFLES

TINIROTO TROOP. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Tho Tiniroto troop of the above squadron was inspected on Saturday, August 28th., by Captain Bax, Wairoa Officer in command. Shooting was carried out in the morning, the following being the orders issued by the Officer Commanding the troop, Lieutenant G. J. Spurdle:— Parade for inspection of arms at range 8 a.m. Cessation of shooting 12 a.m. Parade, mounted, 1.30 p.m. Inspection parade, dismounted, 7 p.m. Rain fell 'during the day, and the mounted parade had to be abandoned, and a dismounted parade was held in its place. .Captain Bax, at the conclusion of the parade, said he was well pleased with the number of men on parade and the work that had been gone through,, and although the rain had disappointed them as regards outside work, he could see what like they were on foot. He noted that there were but two absentees, and considering the roads some of them had to go through, they had done well. Ho wished to see every man try and master the semaphore signalling, which was of importance to any squadron. He notified them that a general muster parade would take place on the 28th of September, when he would apply for two paid parades, and a Church Parade would also take place on Dominion Day. He also said that they would be measured for hew uniforms and leggings, and it was important that every member should be present to get hia proper measurement for a uniform. Ho also notified them that there would be a mobilisation of the squadron some time in the near future, when he want* ed to see a very strong force from Tiniroto, and also hoped to see tho members of the Hangaroa Troop through to the field day on September 25th., in order to get them measured for uniforms. The N.C.O.’s were then in>structed to put the troop through' several movements. Captain Bax criticised the manner in which it was done 1 ,, and pointed out the weak points. On leaving, Captain Bax said he would try and get up once a month if possible, when the roads got better. Before dismissing the men, Lieutenant Small stated that he desired to have a meeting to discuss certain business in regard to the troop. After the fatigue parties 'had carried out tb«ir duties a meeting was then held to talk over one or two subjects of interest to the troop. The first was that of building a Drill Hall in Tiniroto, the urgent need for a place of its kind being felt very much. It was thought that a hall 40 x 30 with two small rooms would meet all requirements- Troopers J. W. Mossman and W. H. Smith considered that it was urgently required to have a good hall and: to have ft as property of their own. Lieutenant Small stated that the squadron had: passed the sum of £2O towards the erection of a hall in Tiniroto, but it would become the property of the squadron. Personally lie wished to see it purely among themselves. At the same time his troop greatly appreciated the donations. Trooper W. H. Smith suggested the donation of a £1 per member towards the scheme and to obtain the lease «f ground, etc. Sergeant W, Linton believed that they would have no trouble in finding the money to build a hall, the main point being, to get a good floor laid down. They could always organise socials during the winter months and apart from drilling purposes that in itself would pay them to put down a good floor. Lieutenant Small said he would get an estimate made out, and they would do well to set their minds on building a hall at a cost of £IOO, which he believed could he raised. He recommended that Trooper Mossman be appointed secretary to work the matter up and go on with it at once, and suggested the following as a Committee: Lieutenant G. J. S. Small, Sergeant W. Sinton- Sergeant W. Sutherland, and Trooper W. H. Smith.