|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Southland Hussars - New Volunteer Regulations
|
A circular was issued from Wellington listing new regulations on 11th October 1882. Officers commanding the various districts were informed of changes to the constitution and organisation of the force; beginning January 1st, 1883. Briefly, the main points were as follows:
-
Volunteer corps will be divided into two classes - viz.: 1. Garrison or headquarters corps. 2. Country corps.
-
Garrison corps are such as form part of the fixed establishment the Government consider necessary for the service of the Colony.
-
Country companies are all other corps whose services are continued but not included in the fixed establishment.
-
The qualification for capitation for garrison corps will be as follows:- (a) Attendance at 12 Government parades of not less than two hours' duration, one hour of which must be devoted absolutely to drill; four of these parades must be held in daylight. (b) To fire in first and second periods of target practice, and go through the first and second periods of judging-distance drill.
-
For country corps members to qualify for capitation, will have to attend one inspection of arms, accoutrements, etc in each quarter, and undergo not less than one hour's drill, and also fire in the first and second periods of target practice, and go through the first and second periods of judging-distance practice.
-
No parade drill or inspection to reckon towards capitation in either garrison or county corps if less than the minimum strength of the corps is present.
-
The maximum and minimum strength of corps of all arms to be as follows:- Garrison corps - maximum, 63; minimum, 43. Country corps - maximum, 50; minimum, 30.
-
Every Volunteer to enroll for 12 months' continuous service, and untrained recruits only permitted to enroll for corps in the months of January and July in each year.
-
These recruits to be formed into squads irrespective of corps. They will have to attend 30 hours' recruit drill, and go through the first and second periods of target and judging-distance practice, when, if reported efficient, they will be passed in drill, and join the ranks of their corps.
-
Capitation can be claimed for these recruits provided the period under instruction has not exceeded six months, and a free issue of a serge suit will be granted to enable them to attend recruits' drill in uniform.
-
Men who have previously received a military training can be enrolled at any period during the year, but they will not receive capitation unless they have qualified for it by attending the requisite number of parades.
-
Officers and non-commissioned officers will have to undergo an examination (before their appointments are confirmed) in certain subjects, which will be specified in the new regulations.
-
Garrison bands will only be permitted in stations where there are four corps of upwards, of a strength in proportion of five men to each corps.
-
They are to be under the control of the officer in command of the district. Capitation will be granted to bandsmen who attend the proper number of parades, and Government assistance afforded towards defraying expenses of instruction.
-
At places where there are less than four corps, the same proportion of bandsmen will be allowed, but no other assistance will be granted.
-
Volunteer corps who are at present above the maximum strength laid down in the new regulations will be required to reduce their numbers to the fixed establishment before January 31st, 1883, and may adopt such means, by ballot or otherwise, as may be deemed best to carry out the required reduction.
-
Corps failing to do so before the above date will be disbanded and new corps of the authorised establishment formed in their place.
-
Cadet corps, except those in connection with schools, will be disbanded at the close of the present year.
-
Regulation uniforms will be paid for as heretofore out of capitation, the Government obtaining them on application from corps.
-
The question of uniforms for country corps will be dealt with hereafter.
-
Corps at present designated Engineers, will cease to be recognised as such after December 31st, 1882.
-
Naval Volunteers will be reconstructed as "Naval Artillery Volunteers", to be trained at the four principal ports in the working of the heavy batteries about to be erected, for which a special allowance will be granted, as specified in forthcoming regulations.
In addition to the circular, a further communication, on the 16th, from the Defence Office in Wellington stated: "the fixed establishment of the adult Volunteer force in the Dunedin district will be from 1st January, 1883, as follows:-
One corps Naval Artillery Volunteers (Dunedin).
One corps Naval Artillery Volunteers (Port Chalmers).
One corps Cavalry Volunteers (Dunedin).
One corps Artillery Volunteers (Dunedin).
One corps Artillery Volunteers (Port Chalmers).
Four corps Rifle Volunteers (Dunedin or Port Chalmers).
Six country corps, as follows:- Bruce Rifle Volunteers, East Taieri Volunteers, Wakari Volunteers, Clutha Volunteers, Waikouaiti Volunteers, Portobello Volunteers.
The "fixed establishment" in the Oamaru district as follows:-
One corps Artillery Volunteers
One corps Rifle Volunteers
Two country corps - Hampden Rifle Volunteers and Otepopo Rifles.
To qualify as a team in the Rifle and Carbine Challenge matches the following was stated:
"Companies must subscribe £5 5s, and pay in addition as entry fee of £3 0s 6d for each team. This is entirely apart from any other payments that may be made by individual members of a team." The total expense to enter a team being £8 5s 6d, with every additional team from the same corps an extra £3 0s 6d.
ref: Otago Witness, Issue 1614, 28 October 1882, Page 21, New Volunteer Regulations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
