Mr. James Benning , formerly Drill Instructor for the Westland district, was born in London, England, in the year 1854, and joined the 77th Regiment in 1870. For eight years he was in various parts of the East Indies, and was then in Ireland for four years with the rank of Colour-Sergeant. He came to New Zealand in 1883 by the ship “Lusitania,” and landed in Wellington, whence he proceeded to Hokitika, where he was in the employment of Mr. G. Benning for twelve months. Prior to his engagement as drill instructor, Mr. Benning was First Lieutenant in the Westland Rifles. He now (1906) resides in Christchurch.