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 L. P. Skinner.
Lieut. R. G. Cox.
Lieut. R. J. Derrom.
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 G. B. Hutton.
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, 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.
Hanna, photo.
Lieut. J. A. Warnock.
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.
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.
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.
View of Part of Military Ammunition Plant within Main Building of the Colonial Ammunition Company's Works, Auckland.