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Ellesmere Mounted Rifles
Description
NameEllesmere Mounted Rifles DescriptionThis corps was formed in 1897, with Mr. J. Boag as its first captain, and Mr R. P. Hill as lieutenant. It now has 70 members. Mr. J. Boag is captain, Mr. R. P. Hill 1st lieutenant, Mr. H. E. Fincham 2nd lieutenant, and Mr. H. H. Cock 3rd lieutenant. The corps' uniform is khaki, with green facings.
Proposed Volunteer Corps.
Public meeting at Leeston. A well attended and representative meeting was held in the Orange Hall, Leeston, last Wednesday evening, to discuss ways and means of establishing a Volunteer Rifle corps for the Ellesmere district.
Mr J. McLachlan occupied the chair, and after introducing the business of the evening, heartily supported the sentiments which prompted the movement. He then introduced Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, Commandant of the Canterbury Forces, Colonel Gordon, who on rising, was greeted with cheers, said it gave him great pleasure to be called to address a meeting of such strong looking, stalwart and healthy young men such as was gathered before him that evening. He was pleased to know that such young farmers were anxious to place themselves at the service of their Queen and country. He very strongly advised them to form themselves into a Cavalry corps, stating that the distance separating the local men from headquarters was a decided drawback to their gaining the necessary proficiency instruction, whereas a Cavalry corps would have the advantages of an instructor being sent to the district. Moreover, the chief commandant of the Colonial of the Colonial forces, Colonel Pole-Penton, had, in his programme for the defense of the colony, found that mounted men were by far the most suitable for New Zealand work, and that was the class he was most in need of.
The Colonel explained several points in regard to the drill and length of service, and stated that, to meet the wishes of the district, he was prepared, as far as possible, to make all reasonable concessions and allowances. On a show of hands being called for to see how many were prepared to enrol, 30 were counted, and on the invitation to sign the list, 22 names were secured in favour of a cavalry corps, and eight for an infantry. Committees for the various points of the district were appointed to receive names of volunteers, and Mr T. W. Durant appointed secretary to the corps pro tem. The Rev. H. E. Ensor sent an apology, and stated that although his profession debarred his joining the corps as a volunteer, he was heartily in favour of the proposal and would suppport it in any way that lay in his power. A resolutim to the effect that a Cavalry corps, to be called the Ellesmere Mounted Rifles, was passed, and, after a hearty vote of thanks to Colonel Gordon for his attendance, and to Mr J. McLachlan as chairman, the meeting adjourned.
Ellesmere Mounted Rifles
A well attended meeting of the new committee appointed at tbe last meeting, also intending members, took place in Mr Durant' s grain store, Leeston, on Wednesday night last . Mr T. W. Durant was voted to the chair. Correspondence was read from Colonel Gordon and Sergeant Major Berland offering to assist the newly organised corps in the way of drill and instruction. The chairman reported that since last meeting, the number of members had increased to 37, while several present were prepared to join.
The question of finance and cost of outfit, uniform, etc. had been considered by the Committee, and they would recommend that each new member on joining, and when being measured for his uniform, pay down the sum of £1 10s, which could be considered as a loan to the corps, until the second capitation was paid by the Defence Office in Feb.1900. It was necessary for this sum to be paid down to place the corps on a sound footing.
In answer to questions, the chairman stated that during the winter months, the drill will be chiefly on foot at night in large buildings and during the spring and summer months in the evening after five o'clock. It would be compulsory to attend the annual training at Easter for 6 days, but the remaining drills could be arranged by the corps to suit its members. To qualify for efficiency and earn capitation, it was necessary for every volunteer to attend drills amounting to 30 hours per year; It was not compulsory for all the members to attend every parade together. They could attend at different times so long as the whole of the members had attended the 30 hours drill by February.
The question of uniform would be decided by the whole of the members of the corps, who would choose colour, make, etc. Ordinary saddles and bridles and gear would be used. Any sized horse was suitable so long as it was over 14 hands. To get uniformity, the tall horses and low horses were put into different squads. The standard height of a recruit allowed by the Act, was 5ft 4in, but there is no restrictions as to horses or trappings.
Six more names were handed in, bringing the number up to 43 members. On the motion of Mr Boag, it was decided to register the formation of the corps at once. On the motion of Mr Stirling, it was decided that each new member, on being measured for his uniform pay the sum of 30s, such sum to be considered as a loan to the corps. On the motion of Mr Cook, it was decided to appoint a committee of four to get estimates and samples of uniform, etc. and report at a general meeting to be held shortly, and called by advertisement in the Ellesmere Guardian.
Arrangements were made for the rifle range on the Lake Plat near Hart's Creek. Re expenses when training and in camp at Easter, the meeting was informed that the whole of the amount, including camp outfit; 'is borne arid provided for by the Government at the annual training parade. It need not cost a member one penny.'
Start Date1898
Proposed Volunteer Corps.
Public meeting at Leeston. A well attended and representative meeting was held in the Orange Hall, Leeston, last Wednesday evening, to discuss ways and means of establishing a Volunteer Rifle corps for the Ellesmere district.
Mr J. McLachlan occupied the chair, and after introducing the business of the evening, heartily supported the sentiments which prompted the movement. He then introduced Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, Commandant of the Canterbury Forces, Colonel Gordon, who on rising, was greeted with cheers, said it gave him great pleasure to be called to address a meeting of such strong looking, stalwart and healthy young men such as was gathered before him that evening. He was pleased to know that such young farmers were anxious to place themselves at the service of their Queen and country. He very strongly advised them to form themselves into a Cavalry corps, stating that the distance separating the local men from headquarters was a decided drawback to their gaining the necessary proficiency instruction, whereas a Cavalry corps would have the advantages of an instructor being sent to the district. Moreover, the chief commandant of the Colonial of the Colonial forces, Colonel Pole-Penton, had, in his programme for the defense of the colony, found that mounted men were by far the most suitable for New Zealand work, and that was the class he was most in need of.
The Colonel explained several points in regard to the drill and length of service, and stated that, to meet the wishes of the district, he was prepared, as far as possible, to make all reasonable concessions and allowances. On a show of hands being called for to see how many were prepared to enrol, 30 were counted, and on the invitation to sign the list, 22 names were secured in favour of a cavalry corps, and eight for an infantry. Committees for the various points of the district were appointed to receive names of volunteers, and Mr T. W. Durant appointed secretary to the corps pro tem. The Rev. H. E. Ensor sent an apology, and stated that although his profession debarred his joining the corps as a volunteer, he was heartily in favour of the proposal and would suppport it in any way that lay in his power. A resolutim to the effect that a Cavalry corps, to be called the Ellesmere Mounted Rifles, was passed, and, after a hearty vote of thanks to Colonel Gordon for his attendance, and to Mr J. McLachlan as chairman, the meeting adjourned.
Ellesmere Mounted Rifles
A well attended meeting of the new committee appointed at tbe last meeting, also intending members, took place in Mr Durant' s grain store, Leeston, on Wednesday night last . Mr T. W. Durant was voted to the chair. Correspondence was read from Colonel Gordon and Sergeant Major Berland offering to assist the newly organised corps in the way of drill and instruction. The chairman reported that since last meeting, the number of members had increased to 37, while several present were prepared to join.
The question of finance and cost of outfit, uniform, etc. had been considered by the Committee, and they would recommend that each new member on joining, and when being measured for his uniform, pay down the sum of £1 10s, which could be considered as a loan to the corps, until the second capitation was paid by the Defence Office in Feb.1900. It was necessary for this sum to be paid down to place the corps on a sound footing.
In answer to questions, the chairman stated that during the winter months, the drill will be chiefly on foot at night in large buildings and during the spring and summer months in the evening after five o'clock. It would be compulsory to attend the annual training at Easter for 6 days, but the remaining drills could be arranged by the corps to suit its members. To qualify for efficiency and earn capitation, it was necessary for every volunteer to attend drills amounting to 30 hours per year; It was not compulsory for all the members to attend every parade together. They could attend at different times so long as the whole of the members had attended the 30 hours drill by February.
The question of uniform would be decided by the whole of the members of the corps, who would choose colour, make, etc. Ordinary saddles and bridles and gear would be used. Any sized horse was suitable so long as it was over 14 hands. To get uniformity, the tall horses and low horses were put into different squads. The standard height of a recruit allowed by the Act, was 5ft 4in, but there is no restrictions as to horses or trappings.
Six more names were handed in, bringing the number up to 43 members. On the motion of Mr Boag, it was decided to register the formation of the corps at once. On the motion of Mr Stirling, it was decided that each new member, on being measured for his uniform pay the sum of 30s, such sum to be considered as a loan to the corps. On the motion of Mr Cook, it was decided to appoint a committee of four to get estimates and samples of uniform, etc. and report at a general meeting to be held shortly, and called by advertisement in the Ellesmere Guardian.
Arrangements were made for the rifle range on the Lake Plat near Hart's Creek. Re expenses when training and in camp at Easter, the meeting was informed that the whole of the amount, including camp outfit; 'is borne arid provided for by the Government at the annual training parade. It need not cost a member one penny.'
Start Date1898
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Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn
Attribution
Taken FromCyclopedia of New Zealand, Province of Canterbury 1903, NZETCEllesmere Guardian, Volume XIX, Issue 1978, 24 August 1898, Page 2Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XIX, Issue 1971, 30 July 1898, Page 2Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XIX, Issue 1969, 23 July 1898, Page 2
Ellesmere Mounted Rifles . Selwyn Stories, accessed 17/02/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/11