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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Rifle Volunteers — (First Battalion Auckland Infantry)

Rifle Volunteers
(First Battalion Auckland Infantry).

Lieut.-Colonel P. Dignan is the Honorary Colonel of the 1st Battalion of Auckland Infantry. He is elsewhere referred to as an ex-mayor of Auckland.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Bagnall White, son of Mr John White, sometime Resident Magistrate at page 166 Wanganui, and well known as the author of the Ancient History of the Maori, was born in 1855. He was educated at the old Wesley College, Auckland, and commenced his commercial career with a seed merchant, and in a mining company's office. In 1877 he entered the timber trade with his father-in-law, the late Mr C. J. Stone, with whom he afterwards acquired a half share in the Shortland Sawmill Company; the business was subsequently sold to the Kauri Timber Company. Mr White then went to the Waikato, where he remained for two years. On returning to Auckland he spent three years in the firm of Bycroft and Co., in which he was a shareholder, but left it to enter on his present sawmilling business in 1896. Mr White entered the Auckland City Council in 1894, when he was returned for the Grafton Ward, which he represented for six years, and retired in 1900, on account of the calls made upon his time by volunteering and his own business. During his term he represented the Council on the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Colonel White has for twenty-nine years been intimately connected with volunteering, and has (1900) recently been appointed Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the First Battalion Auckland Infantry. He married a daughter of the late Mr C. J. Stone, in 1880, and has had a family of six children.

Pay-And-Quarter-Master George Jonathan Dormer, of the 1st Battalion of Auckland Infantry, joined the Royal Navy in 1851. He served on H.M.S. “Rattler,” and afterwards on H.M.S. “Hastings,” and went through the Burmese war of 1852–53, receiving the medal and clasp for Pegu. In the Crimean war he served in H.M.S. “Sidon,” and in a night attack on the forts of Sebastopol, on the 17th of June, 1855, he was wounded and subsequently invalided home and discharged with a temporary pension. He received the medal and clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish medal. In April 1858, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Regiment, and was afterwards transferred to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Prince of Wales' Own Regiment. Mr Dormer served throughout the New Zealand war from 1861 to 1866, for which he received the medal; and he served in the Australian colonies from 1866 to 1870. In 1875 he was promoted to Quarter-Master Sergeant, and served in various parts of Great Britain, until he obtained his discharge in 1878, when he received the long service and good conduct medal and a gratuity. Mr Dormer Subsequently served as Quarter-Master Sergeant in the Dorset Militia, and Sergt.-Instructor of Musketry in the 1st Dorset Rifle Volunteers. He was finally discharged in 1883 for the purpose of settling in New Zealand. Mr Dormer joined the Auckland City Guards in 1884, and in the following year was elected Lieutenant. On the formation of the 1st Battalion of Auckland Infantry he received his present appointment.

Sergt.-Major Macintosh and Quartermaster-Sergt. Dines are also on the staff of the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry.

Surgeon-Captain F. W. R. J. King is Honorary Surgeon to the first Battalion. Dr King is more fully referred to in the medical section of this volume.

No. 1 Victoria Rifles. This Volunteer company has greatly improved of late, and a far better spirit has been infused in the movement generally. The corps has a strength of three officers and fifty-six rank and file. It is the “A” company of the First Battalion, and is the oldest existing volunteer company in Auckland, its formation dating from the 15th of February, 1866. The Victorias give promise of doing exceedingly well and proving themselves a “smart” corps, with all the public and official encouragement which has latterly been general.

Captain Louis Philip Skinner, Victoria Rifles, has been connected with Volunteer matters in Auckland for a number of years, and is well known as an officer and a marksman. Mr. Skinner was born in Auckland in 1860, and received his education first at the Grammar School, and afterwards at the Model Training School. He then served an apprenticeship as a builder under his father, the well-known Major Skinner, and eventually embarked in business on his own account; this he has successfully carried on in the northern city for some years. It was in 1878 that he joined the Victoria Rifles, and in this corps he passed through the various grades, and became a lieutenant in 1892. As a marksman, Captain Skinner has taken numerous and valuable trophies, among them being the Auckland district belt (presented by Mr. Clarke), company's challenge belt, Mr. Beck's cup, and Mr. Condon's trophy; the latter, having been won by him four times, is now his own property. Besides these trophies he has a number of
Captain L. P. Skinner.

Captain L. P. Skinner.

valuable medals, which bear able testimony to his prowess in this direction. In other athletic matters Mr. Skinner has also taken his part; he was a founder of the City Rowing Club, and in the colours of that club has often pulled to victory. He has for many years followed the hounds at the various meets, and has taken an active part in all outdoor sports and pastimes. Captain Skinner is married to a daughter of Mr. Searchfield, a well-known Auckland builder, now of Panmure.
Lieutenant Robert George Cox, Victoria Rifles, who has been an active and zealous Volunteer since 1885, was born in
Lieut. R. G. Cox.

Lieut. R. G. Cox.

London in 1864, and arrived in the Colony with his parents when quite a child. On leaving school he entered the business of Messrs. Hill and Fenton, with whom he remained for some fifteen years. He established his well-known and successful hat and mereery business in Karangahape Road in 1891. Lieutenant Cox commenced his career as a Volunteer in 1885 by joining the Gordon Rifles, and remained with that corps till its disbandment in 1890. He then joined the City Rifles, and, after rising to the rank of lieutenant joined the Victoria Rifles in 1896 with the same rank. In shooting matters Lieutenant Cox has taken a very prominent part, having represented Auckland at a number of important meetings held in the Colony. He has represented his corps at the following championship meetings:—Oamaru (1888), Wellington (1893), Christchurch (1894), Wellington (1895), and Auckland (1897). He has held the belt in the Newton Rifles and City Rifles, besides winning the gold medal for the latter corps, the Herald Challenge Cup, and a number of minor prizes, including the bronze medal of the City Rifles. He was a captain of the rifle teams which won the handsome Campbell Vase in 1894 and 1895, also a member of the Victoria rifle team which won the Gordon Challenge Shield in 1897. From these facts it will be obvious that Lieutenant Cox holds a splendid record as a shot, and it will not be surprising if he yet succeeds in annexing the championship of the Colony.
page 167
Lieutenant Richard James Derrom, of the Victoria Rifles, is a son of the late Major Derrom, and was born in Auckland in 1875. He was educated
Lieut. R. J. Derrom.

Lieut. R. J. Derrom.

at various Auckland schools, and learned his business as a jeweller and watchmaker at the shop of one of the principal watchmakers and jewellers of Auckland. He remained seven years in the establishment, and started his present business in Ponsonby Road on his own account in 1897. His father, Major Derrom, who was an enthusiastic volunteer, first formed the City Rifles and afterwards the Victoria Rifles. Mr Derrom joined the Victoria Rifles in 1893, and was promoted to sergeant in 1896. He was afterwards promoted to colour-sergeant, and in 1899 he received his commission as lieutenant.

College Rifles. This corps is the B Company of the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry. It was established on the 17th of June, 1897, and has now (1900) a total strength of eighty-one. Officers: Captain Major; Lieutenants McHardy and Earl.

Captain Major, of the College Rifles, is now (1900) serving his country with the New Zealand Contingents in the South African war as a captain in the Field Artillery.

Lieutenant A. McHardy, of the College Rifles, is manager of the Newton Branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, in connection with which he is elsewhere referred to.

Lieutenant Edward Percy Earl, of the College Rifles, was born in Christchurch, where he was educated. He entered the Government service in Auckland, in 1896, and is now in the Native Lands Department. Lieutenant Earl was a member of the Christ's College Cadets, Christchurch, and of the Riversdale Rifles, Southland. He joined the College Rifles on their formation in 1897, and received his appointment as lieutenant in 1900.

Surgeon-Captain F. W. R. J. King, elsewhere referred to, was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the College Rifles on the 30th of June, 1897.

No. 1 New Zealand Native Rifles. This corps was established on the 23rd of November, 1897, and ranks as C Company of the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry. The total strength of the corps is fifty-five. Officers: Captain Hutton; Lieutenant Gaudin, Potter, and Richter.

Captain George Bertram Hutton, J.P., of the New Zealand Native Rifles, No. 1 Company, is a son of the late Captain Howard Hutton, of Otahuhu, and a nephew of Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and of the Right Honourable William Kenrick, a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. He was born in Auckland in 1859. When he was seven years of age his parents went to England, to which they took himself and sister, and there he attended various schools, completing his education at Victoria College, Jersey. On leaving college Mr Hutton entered commercial life, but, his health breaking down after some years, he was ordered abroad, and sailed first to Auckland, and thence to Fiji in the beginning of 1882, with the intention of growing coffee, but not liking the drastic restrictions under which planters were obliged to work their labourers, he returned to
Captain G. B. Hutton.

Captain G. B. Hutton.

New Zealand. Mr Hutton then settled down with his parents in their old home at Otahuhu, nine miles south of Auckland, where he successfully carried on farming and fruit-growing, for fifteen years, with one break in 1886–7, when he visited England. He gave up farming in 1897, when he removed to Remuera, and has since then been engaged in various commercial undertakings. While he was farming at Otahuhu Mr Hutton took a most active part in the formation of the Auckland Fruit Growers' Union, a federation of fruit growers' associations in the Auckland province, and was president of the Union for two years. He was, for a time, chairman of the Otahuhu Road Board, and president of the Auckland Agricultural Association. Mr Hutton was placed on the Commission of the Peace by Sir Harry Atkinson's Government. Mr Hutton, while a young man, saw two years' service as a volunteer with the First War-wickshire (Birmingham) Rifle Volunteers; but owing to the disorganised state of volunteering in the colony, he took no active interest in the movement until the revival of a year or two ago, though he offered his services to the Government at the time of what was known as the “Russian scare,” when it was expected that the Militia would be called out. In 1899 he was persuaded to accept the captaincy of the New Zealand Native Rifles, No. 1 Company, and has since devoted much time to its interest. While in England in 1887 Mr Hutton married Miss Furner, a Canadian lady, and has a family of four sons.

Lieutenant Frederick Edward Norman Gaudin, of the New Zealand Native Rifles, No. 1 Company, is the eldest son of Mr Frederick Gandin, well known in Auckland. He was born at Hamilton, Waikato, in 1871, and was educated at the Hamilton West public school. On leaving school he adopted the teaching profession, and for ten years page 168 he was in the service of the Auckland Board of Education. In 1896 he resigned his position as a teacher, and accepted a responsible situation in the business of Mr G. Kronfeld. This position he still holds. Mr Gaudin joined the Native Rifles in 1898 as junior subaltern, and was gazetted senior lieutenant of the company on the departure of the Fifth Contigent for the Transvaal. He is a most enthusiastic volunteer officer, and is exceedingly popular with the members of the company. Mr Gaudin is also well known as an athlete, having represented Auckland on various occasions in running, jumping and Rugby football contests.

Hanna, photoLieut. F. E. N. Gaudin.

Hanna, photo
Lieut. F. E. N. Gaudin.

Lieutenant Henry Roland Potter, of No. 1 New Zealand Native Rifles, is now (1900) serving with the New Zealand Contingents in the war in South Africa.

The Rev. George McMurray, M.A., is the Honorary Chaplain of the No. 1 New Zealand Native Rifles.

NO. 2 New Zealand Native Rifles. This corps ranks as D Company in the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry. It was established on the 14th of April, 1898, and has now (1900) a total strength of sixty-three. Officers: Lieutenant Ratjen (in command of corps); Lieutenant Warnock.

Lieutenant Charles Ratjen, who is at present in command of the No. 2 New Zealand Native Rifles, joined that corps as lieutenant on its formation.

Lieutenant James Alexander Warnock, of No. 2 Native Rifles, is a
Hanna, photo.Lieut. J. A. Warnock.

Hanna, photo.
Lieut. J. A. Warnock.

son of Mr Robert Taylor Warnock, of Messrs Warnock Bros., the well known firm of manufacturers. He was born in 1872 and was educated at the Ponsonby district school and the Auckland College. On leaving college he entered the service of his father's firm. He may be said to inherit his interest in volunteering, as his father was a member of the first volunteering corps in Auckland over forty years ago. Mr Warnock was one of the first lacrosse players when the game was introduced in Auckland. He was goalkeeper for the Pawnees, the champion team of 1899, and is now secretary for the Grey Lynn Lacrosse Club.

The Auckland Rifles. This corps was formed in 1898, when the late Major T. L. Murray (afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel) suggested to Messrs Smith and Caughey, that a company should be formed entirely of assistants employed by the firm. The heads of the firm decided to encourage the movement, the employees entered spiritedly into the idea, and in a short time the corps was formed. Mr A. C. Caughey accepted command of the company, and Messrs Gower and Boyce were elected senior and junior subalterns. The company has progressed favourably, and in drill would do credit to a company many years its senior. At first, owing to the many demands upon the drillshed, the corps found it necessary to carry on its weekly drill in the cellar of Messrs Smith and Caughey's establishment. There the men were put through their facings by Sergeant-Major Carpenter, who proved a most valuable and painstaking instructor to very apt recrvits. The company is looked upon as one of the finest and best drilled in Auckland, and has a total strength of sixty-three.

Captain A. C. Caughey, of the Auckland Rifles, and partner in the firm of Messrs Smith and Caughey, Auckland, was born at Portaferry, County Down, Ireland. He began his commercial life in the well known firm of James Lindsay and Co., of Belfast, with whom he remained till he was twenty-one years of age. Mr Caughey then went to London, where he was for some time in a mercantile house, after which he returned to Messrs Lindsay and Co., to take up the responsible position of superintendent in their establishment. In 1879 Mr Caughey came to Auckland, and in 1881 he and his present partner started the business of Messrs Smith and Caughey, which is now one of the largest in the colony. Mr Caughey is a most enthusiatic volunteer, and enrolled lately among his firm's employees, a corps known as the Auckland Rifles. Colonel Pole-Penton referred to this firm in one of his reports as an example to all large employers of labour in New Zealand, and spoke of the corps itself as one of the smartest in the colony, and as having been officered and trained for eighteen months solely by Mr Caughey and his employees. Mr Caughey is a member of the Board of Governors of the Prince Albert College, and has been intimately connected with a number of school committees and road boards, and is a member of the Putuotoe school committee. He is married and has a family of five children.

Lieutenant Gower, of the Auckland Rifles, and Partner in the firm of McCullagh and Gower, Importers and Drapers, Queen Street, Auckland, is referred to in the notice of his firm.

Lieutenant John James Boyce, of the Auckland Rifles, was born at Auckland in 1873. As a youth he entered the service of Messrs Smith and
Old Barracks, Auckland.

Old Barracks, Auckland.

page 169 Caughey, and is now manager of that firm's clothing and tailoring department. On the formation of the Auckland Rifles, he received the appointment of lieutenant.

No. 3 New Zealand Native Rifles. This is the sixth company of the first battalion of the Auckland Infantry, and was formed on the 4th of May, in 1998. It is one of the three companies raised by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Natives' Association. The first captain of the company was Mr F. E. Baume, who resigned his commission in May, 1900, and was succeeded by Mr J. R. Reed, solicitor of Auckland. The senior subaltern is Lieutenant Boscawen, R.N., who is also honorary aide decamp to His Excellency Lord Ranfurly. Surgeon-Captain Lindsay is honorary surgeon of the corps. The company is recruited to its full strength of sixty, and, in addition, the names of six of its members who went to South Africa still remain on the roll of the corps.

Captain John Ranken Reed, of the No. 3 New Zealand Native Rifles, is a well known Auckland solicitor, and is referred to as such in another article.

Lieutenant William John A. Thomson, of the No. 3 New Zealand Native Rifles, is at the present time (1900) serving with the New Zealand Contingents in South Africa.

Senior-Lieutenant Hugh Boscawen, of No. 3 Native Rifles, Honorary aide-de-camp to His Excellency the Governor, the Earl of Ranfurly, is a son of the Hon. I. I. Boscawen and was born in 1850 at Tregothnan, Cornwall, England. Mr Boscawen, who is nephew of the Earl of Falmouth and cousin to General Buller, was first educated by private tutors, and completed his education at the Cheltenham College. On leaving college he joined H.M. training ship “Britannia,” and served afterwards in the navy on every naval station except the East Indian. He was present at Jamestown during the trying time of the Jamaica riots. Mr Boscawen came out to New Zealand with the Flying Squadron in 1869 and 1870 during the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to the colonies. During the Ashantee war in 1873 and 1874 when Sir Garnet Wolseley (now Lord Wolseley) was in command, Lieutenant Boscawen was present at the taking of Kumassi, and for his bravery on that occasion received the decoration of the African medal. He passed his gunnery examination on H.M. ship “Excellent,” and retired from the naval service in 1875 with the rank of lieutenant. Mr Boscawen arrived in New Zealand in 1876, and joined the Lands Department of the Government Service shortly after his arrival. During Lord Onslow's Governorship of New Zealand, Lieutenant Boscawen acted as His Excellency's Private Secretary, and took up his present position as Chief Clerk in the Lands Department, Auckland, on Lord Onslow's departure for England. Lieutenant Boscawen was appointed to his present position in the No. 3 Native Rifles in 1900.

Surgeon-Captain Peter Alexander Lindsay was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the No. 3 New Zealand Native Rifles on the 7th of September, 1898.

The Rev. E. M. Cowie is the Honorary Chaplain of the No. 3 New Zealand Native Rifles.

No 2 Victoria Rifles. This corps ranks as G Company of the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry. The total strength of the company is now (1900) sixty, and it was established on the 28th of April, 1898. Officers: Captain Knight, in command of the corps; Captain F. W. Abbott, on leave, engaged in the Transvaal war; Lieutenants Shaw and Kay.

Captain J. I. Knight, of the No. 2 Victoria Rifles, is a son of Mr W. Knight, of the Royal Engineers. He was educated at St. Helena, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1882, when they decided to settle in Auckland. At the age of twenty Mr Knight joined the volunteers and has been connected with them for the last fifteen years. He joined his present corps as junior subaltern, and on the departure of the Fifth Contingent, under Captain Abbott, was promoted to the position vacated by that gentleman. Besides taking great interest in volunteering, Captain Knight has been an enthusiast in connection with athletics, rowing being his chief hobby. He is Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, Ponsonby, No. 54, N.Z.C. Captain Knight married an Auckland lady some years ago, and has a family of five sons and one daughter. He is referred to in another article as a wholesale manufacturer and importer of saddlery, etc.
Captain F. W. Abbott joined the No. 2 Victoria Rifles at Auckland as lieutenant in 1898, and a year later he succeeded to the captaincy of the company. At the outbreak of the Transvaal war, he volunteered for service in South Africa, and was appointed captain of the No. 12 Company in the New Zealand Fifth Contingent of Mounted Infantry. The Contigent sailed from New Zealand on the 31st of March, 1900, by the “Waimate,” and called at Durban for orders a month later. The force was ordered to Rhodesia, via Beira and Marandellas. After embarking at Beira Captain Abbott with his company entrained for Umtali, and then proceeded on a long trek across Matabeleland and Mashonaland to Buluwayo. The whole Contingent was under the command of General Sir Frederick Carrington, who was ordered with his force to take the field against the Boers in the Western Transvaal, with Mafeking as a base. Several engagements were fought with the Boers around Zeerust, and these resulted in the enemy being driven from their positions. Thereupon the Boers split up in numerous bands, and the Fifth Contingent, now rechristened the New Zealand Fifth Regiment, was occupied for several months in skirmishing and dispersing parties of the enemy at various points. This kind of warfare was not without risk; several officers and men of the Regiment were killed and wounded and a rifle bullet pierced Captain Abbott's hat, missing his head by about an inch. Captain Abbott commanded the A Squadron which, with other portions of the Regiment, were in continual conflict with bands of the enemy for a period extending over several months.

Lieutenant Henry Shaw, of the No. 2 Victoria Rifles, is a son of Dr Henry Shaw, of London. He was educated at West Kent College, and arrived in page 170 New Zealand in 1896. Attracted by the glowing accounts of the Upper Thames goldfields Lieutenant Shaw went to Paeroa, where he joined No. 1 Ohinemuri Rifles, from which he was transferred to the No. 2 Victoria Rifles on the formation of the corps, in which he has served as sergeant, colour-sergeant and lieutenant. Mr Shaw volunteered for the Fifth Contingent, and was in charge of the Auckland members at Potter's Paddock, prior to their embarkation for South Africa.

Lieutenant William Kay, of the No. 2 Victoria Rifles, is an assistant master at the Wellesley Street School, Auckland. He has been connected with volunteering for a number of years, and has had charge of the Wellesley Street Cadet Corps for about two years. Recently (1900) he became lieutenant of the No. 2 Victoria Rifles.

Newton Rifles. This corps was established on the 1st of October, 1898, and ranks as H Company of the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry. It has now (1900) a total strength of sixty-two. Officers: Captain Myers; Lieutenants Todd and Markham.

Captain Arthur M. Myers, of the Newton Rifles, is a partner in the firm of the Campbell and Ehrenfried Co., Ltd., and is referred to in connection with the descriptive article on the firm.

Lieutenant Thomas John Marr Todd, of the Newton Rifles, is now (1900) on service with the New Zealand Contingents in the South African war.

Surgeon-Captain James Moir was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the Newton Rifles on the 22nd of May, 1899.

Auckland Bearer Corps. The Auckland Bearer Corps was established on the 4th of May, 1898. The total strength of the company is now (1900) twenty-six. The officers are: Surgeon-Captain A. O. Knight (M.R.C.S., England; L.S.A., London), and Surgeon-Captain W. H. Parkes (M.B., and M.S., Edinburgh).

Cadets . There are three corps of cadets in connection with the Auckland Volunteers; namely, the Auckland Grammar School Cadets, with a total strength of fifty-eight, and of which Captain R. A. McCullough is the commanding officer; King's College Cadets, with a total strength of sixty-four, of which Lieutenant Stuckey is the Acting-Captain; and St. John's College Cadets, with a total strength of forty-one, of which the officers are Captain Abbott, and Lieutenant Severn; with the Rev. P. Smallfield as the honorary chaplain.

Auckland Garrison Band. This Band, which has experienced various vicissitudes, was established many years ago, and now numbers a total strength of twenty-six. Mr Hunter is the band-master.

Drum And Fife Band. This Band is of recent origin, and was established in the latter part of 1899. It now (October, 1900) has a total strength of twenty. Mr Dormer is the bandmaster.
Fort Cautley, from Signal Station, Devonport.

Fort Cautley, from Signal Station, Devonport.

Colonial Ammunition Company, Limited. Head office, 16 Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W. Works at Melbourne, Victoria, and Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. This important industry in the manufacture of small-arm ammunition was first commenced in the colony of New Zealand by Captain John Whitney and his sons in the year 1885. During the Russian war scare of that year, Major-General Sir George Whitmore made every effort to procure ammunition, the supply of which was nearly exhausted, but on
Captain John Whitney.

Captain John Whitney.

account of the great demand in the Home markets (the Imperial Government at the time having all its resources taxed to the utmost to supply its own requirements) it
Mr. A. C. Whitney.

Mr. A. C. Whitney.

page 171
View of Part of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland, N.Z.

View of Part of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland, N.Z.

View of Part of Military Ammunition Plant within Main Building of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.

View of Part of Military Ammunition Plant within Main Building of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.

page 172 was found impossible to replenish the colony's stock of ammunition in that time of emergency. Under the circumstances the late Hon. John Ballance, then Minister of Defence, and Sir George Whitemore, consulted Captain Whitney as to the possibility of manufacturing ammunition in the colony, and Captain Whitney agreed to undertake to supply military cartridges of a serviceable quality if sufficient inducement were offered to encourage him to start in such a costly undertaking. After careful consideration the Government decided not to give a bonus to Captain Whitney, but to pay such a price for ammunition as would gradually recoup the first heavy outlay, which was increased by the Government stipulating that the necessary machines should be made in the colony. As powder was most difficult to obtain until the supplies cabled for arrived, and as they had to commence the manufacture with the most unsuitable material, Captain Whitney and his sons laboured, in consequence of the Government's stipulation, under the most serious disadvantages; but, nevertheless, they succeeded within six months, incommencing the delivery of cartridges. The first pattern of cartridges, however,
Mr. A. Whitney.

Mr. A. Whitney.

proved disappointing; only 5,000 were manufactured, and these were condemned by the military authorities, owing to a defect in the base of the cartridge. The pattern was then altered and a serviceable cartidge produced, so that during 1885-6-7 about 2,000,000 rounds were supplied to the Government. At this stage, Captain Whitney, with a view to the future requirements of the colony, knowing that the quality of ammunition could be improved, and having obtained the consent of the New Zealand Government, proceeded to England with Captain Asa Whitney to purchase the very best machinery of the Imperial Government pattern, and engage skilled labour. During 1887–8 negotiations were being carried on with the Victorian and New South Wales Governments to establish ammunition works in the sister colonies, and seeing that the vanture was assuming larger dimensions than were originally anticipated, the firm, which had been carried on under the title of Messrs Whitney and Sons, was converted into a limited liability company under the style of the Colonial Ammunition Company, Limited, with a large capital. The Colonial Ammunition Company, Limited, now has in its employment the
View of Part of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.

View of Part of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.

page 173
View of Part of Military Ammunition Plant within Main Building of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.

View of Part of Military Ammunition Plant within Main Building of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.

best skilled engineers and experts, and its staff is up to date in every respect in the manufacture of all small-arms ammunition. The company is thus enabled to turn out military and other ammunition equal to the best turned out by manufacturers in England. A new plant of machinery was erected in 1887, and since then the manufacture of ammunition has been carried on until it has attained perfection, and the imported ammunition has never been able to surpass it. To this military plant was added a plant for the manufacture of sporting ammunition, capable of turning out a sufficient number of cartridges to supply the Australasian Colonies, if necessary, and the results of the arrangements of the company have been that, notwithstanding the superb qualities of the English manufactured goods, they are equalled by the articles turned out by the company's operatives in New Zealand, while the consumer is charged no more than he has to pay for cartridges imported from England. At the present time the company employs twenty male and seventy-three female operatives, and as the requirements of the colony increase, so also will increase the importance of the industry as an employer of labour. The company intends to increase its capital, if sufficient inducement is shown, to develop the mineral resources of the colonies, and the new branches will probably include the manufacture of powder, as well as metals from colonial products, as soon as the output of ammunition justifies the outlay of additional capital. Mr Arthur Cecil Whitney has the management of the New Zealand works, and Captain John Whitney is now in Australia superintending the company's business there. The Melbourne works are capable of supplying the whole of Australasia with .303 or Martini-Henry ammunition, and at the present time (1900) have large contracts on hand for the various Australian Governments. The company, during the year 1898–9, laid down in Auckland a complete plant of machinery for the manufacture of £303 ammunition for the New Zealand Government, and has already delivered large supplies from these works, which are complete in every detail. The company makes its own tools for placing in the machines for manufacturing cartridges; and also gauges of every kind and description, for use either inside or outside its works. The Legislature at Wellington sees the advisableness of encourauging the manufacture of ammunition in New Zealand, and apparently recognises the Colonial Ammunition Company as a most important factor in the colony's scheme of defence. It is possible the Government may some day think it advisable to take over the manufacture of ammunition from the company, but in the meanwhile the Colonial Ammunition Company is to be heartily commended for the energy, perserverance, and enterprise it has shown in making the colony independent of outside supplies of ammunition. As the company's is the only ammunition industry south of the equator, there must, in the nature of things, be a great and prosperous future before it. Since the photographs of the works printed with this article were taken in 1895, there have been extensive additions to both the machinery and the buildings, which are continually being added to.