In June 1882 this enthusiasm also drew attention to the importance of updating regulations. The Volunteer Board, known as the Board of Officers in Wellington, were ordered to report on the volunteer system and recommend suggestions to regulate the corps. Some of these were:
-
"Volunteers are to serve three years in the "first line" and one year in the "second line"; to be subject during that period to all existing regulations; to sign on enrolment an engagement to serve for the prescribed period; to take the required oaths.
-
No person under 17 years to be enrolled except trained musicians; and in other special cases the enrolments to take place half yearly.
-
Candidates are to submit their names to the commanding officer for approval 30 days prior to the date of enrolment, together with particulars of age, height, and occupation.
-
Volunteers are not to be allowed to resign, except on account of health or departure from the Colony, but on removal to another part of the Colony they are to be transferred to the local corps.
-
Troops of cavalry and batteries of artillery are to consist of not less than 30 nor more than 50 men, exclusive of officers. Companies of infantry to be not less than 40 nor more than 60.
-
A regiment of cavalry is to be formed for each Island, and one of artillery for the whole Colony.
-
Six regiments of infantry are to be formed, to be named - (1) Auckland (including all that province excepting Gisborne); (2) Wellington (including Hawke's Bay and Gisborne, but excluding Wanganui, Patea and Rangitikei); (3) Taranaki (including Wanganui etc.); (4) Nelson (including Marlborough and Westland); (5) Canterbury (including Oamaru); (6) Otago (including Southland).
-
Precedence of arms to be as follows: - First line, cavalry, of three hours duration. Each day in camp to count as two daylight drills. Pay for each three hours drill to be 2s 6d for all ranks. officers to provide their own uniforms, but complete uniforms are to be issued by Government to every Volunteer of the line under commissioned officer's rank, such uniforms to last for three years (excepting greatcoats, which are to last six years) and then to become the property of the Volunteer. Every Volunteer to give promissory note for �3 to cover the cost in case of detention of uniform. Capitation allowance of 10s per annum to be granted to each company of the first line, to every Volunteer (excepting surgeons and chaplains) who has attended 15 daylight drills in the year. Any Volunteer failing so to attend to receive no pay, to be entitled to no efficiency certificate, and to pay 10s to the funds of his corps.
-
The second line capitation grant to be as at present, 30s per annum, with arms and ammunition, but uniforms are not found. Six inspectors and six company parades to be attended to qualify for capitation. One adjutant at �300 per annum to be appointed for each regiment, with a bonus of �50 after five years, and a subsequent increase of �10 per annum to his pay. Drill-instructors at �150 per annum to be provided at the rate of one to every six companies. Officers in the first instance to be appointed on the recommendation of the enrolling officers. Vacancies to be filled up by election from candidates submitted to the company by the commandant; senior lieutenants to be promoted to vacancies in captaincies so far as possible. Non-commissioned officers to be appointed by the commanding officers of the regiment on the recommendation of the company. Officers and Volunteers on the expiration of their term of service to receive a certificate of discharge and efficiency if deserved. The following penalties of pay, with fine of some sum if not sufficient explanation of the absebce is forthcoming; absence from five consecutive parades, a fine of �5, or ten days' imprisionment; absence from recruit drill, 2s 6d for the first offence and 5s for a second, dismissal for a third; inattention and talking in the ranks, 1s for each offence; slovenliness, 2s 6d; drunkenness 5s, or ten days' imprisonment, with, if a non-commissioned officer, reduction to the ranks, and if a commissioned officer, deprivation of commission as well; discharging firearms in public without authority, �2; insubordination, �2 to �10, or 10 to 20 days imprisonment, and summary dismissal. Absence from duty when called out for actual service, �50 or six weeks imprisonment. Volunteers may be arrested by order of an officer and detained in custody, but must be brought before a magistrate within three days. officers to be tried by court-martial without power to enforce penalties. Courts of inquiry to be held when necessary.
-
Commanding officers are to be allowed �50 a year in lieu of travelling expenses. Other Volunteer officers to be allowed 10s to 15s per day wwhen travelling on duty.
-
Volunteers changing their address must notify sich change to the commanding officer under a penalty of 5s."
There were numerous other recommendations, but the above were the most important.
ref: Otago Witness, Issue 1593, 3 June 1882, Page 21, The Volunteer Board.
|
