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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

[introduction]

page 126

In New Zealand the volunteer system is the mainstay of defence, and there is only a small permanent military force of artillery and submarine miners. The colony possesses a more or less complete system of fortifications, armed with expensive ordinance, which requires a more regular and constant attention than could well be bestowed by those who devote only a portion of their time to military affairs. Hence it has been found necessary to institute these small permanent forces, whose chief duty it is to man the fortifications and keep the armaments therein in a state of efficiency, so as to be ready for any emergency. At the same time, it is expected that they will prove the nucleus for an effective defence force should hostilities occur. The greater portion of the forces, therefore, consists of volunteers. First, there are the Royal New Zealand Artillery and Royal New Zealand and Royal New Zealand Engineers, and then the auxiliary forces of volunteers, comprising Mounted Rifles, Garrison, and Field Artillery, Submarine Miners, Engineers, Rifle, Clubs. Major-General Babington, an Imperial officer, is Commandant of the Forces. The Otago Militia and Volunteer district includes the sub-district of North Otago and Southland, and is commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Robin. The total number of all ranks—officers, non-commissioned officers, and men—is 4500.

Volunteering in Otago began in 1860. when there was some apprehension of trouble between America and the Mother Country. A public meeting was held on the 23rd of July, 1860, at the old Supreme Court, Dunedin, at which there was a large attendance, and Major Richardson, afterwards Superintendent of Otago, presided. The outcome was the formation and enrolment of a corps, named the Otago Volunteers. Lieutenant Junor, sometime of the Imperial Life Brigade, assumed command, and with the help of Mr. John Wilson, senior, and old 79th man, instructed and drilled the corps. The first drill ground was in the yards of the old police barracks, but parades were afterwards held on Bell Hill, where first Church now stands. Major Richardson was appointed as the first Commanding Officer of the Militia and Volunteer District, in April, 1862, and was succeeded by Major John Cargill in September, 1864. In 1863 the Government requested the Otago Volunteer Company to nominate and appoint officers, as from its inception it had been under the sole command of Lieutenant Junor. Accordingly, Captain Moss, Lieutenant Leggatt, Ensign Jackson, and Surgeon H. W. P. Smith were elected as officers of the corps, which was re-named No.1 Company Otago Volunteers. This company paraded at Ocean Beach on the Queen's Birthday, 1863, to shoot for some Government prizes, when the uniform worn was a blue jumper and a peaked cap. On the 4th of July, of the same year, they appeared in a real uniform, consisting of a grey tunic ornamented with black braid, and a French peaked cap. On that occasion they marched to the Water of Leith, where they planted two oak trees in commemoration of the marrriage of the present King, then Prince of Wales. An artillery corps, now the B Battery, was formed in June, 1863 under the command of Captain Ross. The want of a large gun was soon felt by this corps. Guns of large calibre in those days were comparatively unknown, and difficult to obtain. The obstacle was overcome by the genius of a local carpenter who manufactured a large wooden cannon, which, although not so effective as a modern breach-loader, was sufficient for the requirments of the corps. This old-time trophy now occupies an honourded place in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin. In July, 1863, another company was formed, known as the No. 2 Scottish Otago Volunteers, of which Mr. John Cargill was the first captain. A naval brigade, now the No. 2 Company of New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers, was sworn in on the 12th of February, 1864, with Mr. Robert Paterson as the first captain. The City Guards came into existence in 1836 and in the year following, amalgamated with the No. 1 Company Otago Volunteers, under the name of No. 1 Company City Guards Captain Moss retained command of the amalgamated corps, with Lieutenant Davis and Ensign Wales as subalterns. The corps is now known as the Dunedin City Guards. In July, 1866, the 1st Battalion of Otago Rifle Volunteers was formed, consisting of the No. 1 Company City Guards, No. 2 Scottish, North Dunedin Rifles, Waikari Rangers. and the South District Rangers. Colonel John Cargill, Major John Bathgate, and Surgeon Edward Hulme were staff officers. The Dunedin School Rifle Cadets, formed in 1865, under the captaincy of Major Richardson, were attached to the Battalion in October, 1866. The cause of Volunteering has continued to expand, with periods of ebb and flow, up to the present time. The outbreak of hostilities in South Africa was responsible for an unprecedented enrolment in the various corps in Dunedin, and elsewhere througout the colony, and the service rendered by the New Zealand Contingents during the war gave rise to a martial enthusiasm, which did not pass away with the occasion.