A general meeting of the 8. V. ©. Rifle Companies was held in the Main Guard on Tuesday evening. R. L Fearon, Esq., the Civil Commandant, occupied the chair, and there were about forty members present.
The Cuarnax said the object of the meeting was so well known, that he need not detain them long in referring to it. Capt, Cann had handed him a communication from several members of No. 1 Ca., in which a proposal was made that in future each Company should elect its own officers, subject of course to the approval of the Council. He could only say now what rote Captain Cann, that the Council were anxious to consult the wishes of the Volunteers in every matter appertaining to the Corps, and saw no possible objection to the proposal themselves; but asit was a question which affected all three of the Rifle Companies, they thought it very desirable that the Volunteers should have an opportunity of expressing their opinion—Nos. and 3, as well as No. J. The meeting had only to pass a resolution on the subject, and the Council would be very happy to give it effect.
Lieut. Sus, No. 1 Company, begged to That each Rifle Company shall in future elect its own officers, and all vacancies shall be filled all elections being subject, as hitherto, to the up by election, without reference to seniority,
approval of the Council.
If any opposition were offered to the resolution, he would be happy to explain the reasons for it, and to endeavour to meet any arguments against it.
Private Harr seconded.
Private Muuzer, No. 1 Company, believed the spirit of the resolution to be that of the first formation of the Corps, and was very glad to support it. Although the proposal was brought forward by a representative of No, 1 Company, the best thing Nos. 2 and could do would be to give their adhesion to it also; for what secured the independence of No. Leccured equally that of the other Companies. From what he wuderstood, on looking back to the minutes of the meeting of 1870, they were now only claiming a right' then established, but which was not enforced at last election of officers simply through the ruling of their Chairman on that occasion.
The Cuarnman agreed, and read the following extract from the N.-C. Herald report of the meeting of July 1870.
"Mr. Top suggested that they should form the Companies first, and let each elect its own officers.
"<The Cuamaax pointed out, however, that this would cause delay, and it was desi able'to complete all arrangements for organist tion, at the present meeting."
This showed that the intention originally was that each Company should elect its own officers.
Lieut, Hanviz, No. 2Co., said at the election in August last, the' officers were elected from the three Companies, but not by each individual Company. Still, if each did so it would perhaps give more satisfaction.
The Cuarnstan said it seemed reason able, and he believed it was the practice which obtained at Home.
Lieut. Hanviz was not aware, however, that any regulation with regard to seniority existed before.
The Cuaremay said ments made since the he thought, Captain Kiduer's and Captain Tucker's, and these were simply recommended by Captain Brewer and passed to the Council for confirmation, the latter not knowing how the election had been made.
Captain Tucker, Nu. $ Ca., presumed in that case he was not appointed according to the Regulations of the Volunteer Force, Several members negatived this view, and The Cxatmaan said it did not follow 5 there were no Regulations, except what the Volunteers formed for themselves, Private Murer thought it was quite open to them now to establish a rule, and the best they could establish would be that contained in Lieut. Sim's resolution, Sergeant Sxarm, No. 2 Ca., asked when ther the resolution permitted' the selection of an officer, independently elected by one Company, fo be made from the Corps generally' or only from among its own members, The sense of the meeting was that selection extended to the whole Corps.
The resolution was then passed una mously, and there being no other business, Lieut, Sr proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried with applause.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.