RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 17 September 1929, Page 8

RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED REUNION OF MEMBERS “Do you remember . . . ? This was an oft repeated phrase last evening, when remaining ranks of the Palmerston North Rifle Volunteers gathered in the Linton Rifle Club’s rooms to colebrato the 50th anniversary of the formation of tho corps. Thoughts travelled back to many a happy incident, and long and firmly established friendships provided many reminiscences of old associations. But the ranks of the corps havo thinned during tho years and Colour-Sergeant G. N. Stephenson, Sergeant L. R. Bryant and Corporal E. W. Collins were the only original members of the corps, as it was formed in 1879, who were present. Numerous apologies for unavoidable absence were received. Major J. N. Mounsoy presided and, having extended a warm welcome to the members, expressed his pleasuro at their being threo of the original members of tho corps present, also Sergeant Major Boazar, who had been the corps’ first instructor and one largely responsible for its inception. It was indeed very pleas* jng that tho Sergeant-Major thought sufficiently of tho volunteers to travel f rom Wellington in order to bo present. (Aprplause). . , . , Following tho honouring of the loyal toast, the gathering stood in silence as a tribute to the memories of absent comrades who have crossed tho Great Divide. With musical honours, Sergeant-Major Beazar’s health was toasted enthusiastically. In proposing the toast, Major Mounsoy referred to the Sergeant-Major s early association with the corps and to tho very keen interest he had always maintained in tho volunteers. Rresponding, Sergeant-Major Beazar stated that he could claim to have the honour of having been responsible for the formation of the corps, having written from Wanganui to the late Mr J. D. Batchelar suggesting the formation ot the corps—a step which had resulted in its establishment. In late years he had frequently thought of the Palmerston North Volunteers and of his happy associations with them. It was a proud ovening for him to bo present vyith member o an honourable corps, even thought he was not personally acquainted with many P rQ ’ sent. In his inimitable manner, the ber-geant-Major recounted numerous humorous experiences with volunteers on the parade grounds, and commented upon the many changes that had occurred m Palmerston North during the past fifty years. The toast of “Tho Volunteers was proposed by Major Mounsey, who said that all would be proud to belong to such a body who had the wonderful spirit of comradeship that was found not only in h local corps, but also throughout the voluntoer corps in the Dominion it was the true spirit of fellowship that "light well be envied, and of which the me bers ' could well be proud. , Roplying, Colour-Sergeant Stephenson said that he had many happy rocol ' cc ; tions of tho old corps, in which he had formed firm friendships. Ho recounted many amusing incidents concerning some of the volunteers and their actions on responding, Sergeant Bryant said that ha was very proud to be present, but it was with very mingled feelings when he thought of the past and of™ o co ' n ‘ rades who had passed over When the corps had first been formed there were only about 1000 persons in the town and there was little or no means of transport However, the attendances had always been excellent and the enthusiasm of tho members had been unbounded. Many of tho volunteers had had to travel long distances to parades and he had, on -one occasion, ridden 62 miles to attend one. (Applause.) „ , , Corporal Collins stated that he was a cry pleased to have been one of the first to join the corps, then being a lad of If, who had landed in Palmerston North in 1878. He could well recollect the first meeting of the corps and Sergeant-Major Beazar coming to drill t them, and also the company’s first shooting match. Colour-Sergeant. E. Perrin, who had been a member of the volunteers for twenty-five years, said he considered himself to bo one of the later members of tho corps and ho recollected many incidents that had occurred in the old showground camps. In proposing tho toast of volunteer members who had gone to the Great W ar » Mr W. L. Fitzhorbert said that he had joined tho corps 35 years ago as a first lieutenant and he could recognise many present who had been at the parade when the speaker had joined up. Although he had been only threo years in the corps, he had had very pleasant experiences and associations. The Rifles _ had always enjoyed an excellent reputation for the conduct of its members and this had been greatly enhanced by those members who had gone to the Great W ar. There had been Major Hardio, who had been awarded tho D. 5.0., and Messrs A. Withers, D. Dilks, S. Wright, Rashlcigh, W. Hudson, junr., and many others whose names for the moment could not be remembered. All bad played their -part nobly and well. Major* Hardie, in reply, referred to the splendid old volunteer spirit which, ho stated, had stood to him in .France and elsewhere. Mr S. Wright also responded. In proposing tho toast of “Tho Entertainers,” Mr P. J. Small hoped that the re-union would become an . annual one and that the corps would remain banded together until the last member had passed °'ot'her toasts honoured ' were “The Ladies,” proposed by Major Mounsey, and “Tho Press,” proposed by Mr E. E. Perrin. , ■ Musical items were rendered by Messrs D. Dilks, D. Fenton, C. Pickering, W. Adams, S. Wright and J. Rogers, while Messrs J. Jeromson and A. Hutchens gave an excellent exhibition of mind reading.

CORPS EARLY HISTORY. Formed on February 3, 1879, by the lato Mr G. M. Snelaon, who was then Mayor of the town, the corps has had a very honourable career throughout the fifty years of its existence and associated with it have been many of the prominent citizens cf Palmerston' North and district. The first captain was Mr Snelson, who was elected by the members of the corps. The other officers then were:—First-lieutenant, Mr G. Marsh; second lieutenant, Mr L. B. Pirani; colour-sergeant, Mr G. S. Lockie; sergeants, Messrs J. Carroll, E. Donkin, H. J. Hayes; corporals, Messrs E. Marsh, E. Charles, C. Jorgensen. The unit was under the command of Major Noake, who was then officer commanding the Wanganui district, while Sergeant-Major Beazar, of the permanent forces, was appointed instructor. The original location of the rifle range was on the Fitzherbert side of the Manawatu River and Snider rifles were used, aim being taken from a standing position. The longest distanco was 600 yards, while another range of the same distance was constructed along the riverbed. Iron targets, 6ft. square, were used and the old score sheets testify to the riflemen’s markmanship. The late Sergeant J. 0. Batchelar presented a cup for competition, which wa3 won by the lato Lieutenant Pirani. The conditions were that the trophy had to bo won three times in succession, or five times at intervals and the winner fulfilled both conditions, his last three wins to make the necessary five being recorded in succession. The range distance was 200 yards, with a bulls-eyo ono foot by two feet, aim being taken from a standing position. The target was two feet square on the 300 to 400 yard ranges and a competitor could shoot from any angle. The only active campaign in which the volunteers participated was in November, 1881, when the Maoris under Te Whiti gave the Government a good deal of trouble in the Taranaki district, especially at Parihaka, on the seaward 6ide of Mt. Egmont. This party was also harbouring a native murderer, named Eroki, and had to bo subdued. From all over New Zealand about 1000 men volunteered for this purpose, 32 being from Palmerston North. Tho total number of Armed Constabulary in the Taranaki district was brought up to 868, with the addition of 1049 volunteers, both mounted and on foot. Practically no trouble was encountered with the Maoris, as the number of their oppononts showed them that it was futile to resist. When the natives surrendered their arms were taken from them and their chief, as well as Eroki, was handed over to the police. In 1883 the volunteers’ uniforms were changed, the shako being replaced with a

spiked helmet of military pattern, with a red tunic and blue trousers with a red stripe. Captain Snelaon resigned from the corps about this period, and First Lieutenant Marsh assumed control. Messrs J. Carroll and A. W. Harrison were ranked as lieutenants, with Mr G. N. Stephenson as colour sergeant. Thero was a further change in 1884, when Lieutenant Carroll was appointed as captain of the unit. Captain Carroll retained office until 1891, with the other officers changing frequently. He was succeeded by Captain Hall, who had with him Lieutenants Montague and Dundcrdell. In 1895 his assistant officers were Lieutenants W. L. Fitzherbert and Andrew Jack. In 1898 Lieutenant John Mounsey joined tho force and in 1900 becamo captain of tho unit with Messrs Watt and C. Louisson as lieutenants. In 1901 Lieutenant Watt resigned, his place being taken by Lieutenant Perrin, who gave way in 1906 to Lieutenant Charles Blenkhorn. The latter retired the following year and Lieutenant G. F. Perston joined the force. Captain Mounsey and Lieutenants Louisson and Perston remained as officers of the unit until in 1911 it was merged into the territorial forces.