Wellington Indenpent 20 March 1860
THE MILITA
The Militia was balloted for on Saturday.

Two hundred men are required; but to make

up for deaths and departures, three hundres

names were drawn. Only the first available

two hundred will be called for actual

service.
As the desire for information relative to

the names drawn is very great, we public

the list kindly placed at our disposal by

Adjutant Kirwan.
The following is the copy of a circular

now being issued, from which it will be

seen that the first meet is to take place

on Friday next.
ON HER MAJESTY”S SERVICE.
Wellington Barracks,
March 17, 1860
Your name having been drawn for actual

service in the Militia, you are hereby

commanded to attend on Friday, 23rd March,

instant, at 12 o”clock, noon, at the lower

Mount Cook Barracks.
W. R. TRAFFORD,
Major Commanding
Wellington Militia
…
Bergin, Robert, River Hutt, labourer
Bryant, Henry, River Hutt, labourer
Burt, Thomas, River Hutt, storekeeper
…
Beetham, William, River Hutt, farmer
…
Cooley, Issac, River Hutt, farmer
Cleland, H., River Hutt, storekeeper
…
Carlyon, G. G. River Hutt, Esquire
Cayley, Thomas, River Hutt, Carpenter
…
Dooreen, Peter, Stoke”s Valley, sawyer
…
Downey, Edward, River Hutt, labourer
Donnelly, P. River Hutt, labourer
…
Daysh, John, River Hutt, labourer
…
Edwards, William, River Hutt, labourer
…
Gooden, Philip, Waiwetu (sic) River,

labourer
Goodchild, John, River Hutt, labourer
Golder, James, River Hutt, labourer
Gifford, Charles, River Hutt, labourer
…
Gardiner, Wm. River Hutt, sawyer
Gradey, James, River Hutt, labourer
…
Headley, J. E. River Hutt, labourer
…
Hodges, George, Stokes Valley, basketmaker
…
Hughey, John, River Hutt, farmer
…
Jackson, James, Hutt, tailor
…
Jillett, Robert, River Hutt, settler
…
Jupp, Edward, River Hutt, settler
Judd, William, Waiwetu, labourer
…
Mungeon, Thomas, River Hutt, carpenter
…
Meager, Henry, River Hutt, carpenter
Medlyn, John, River Hutt, labourer
…
McCulloch, Robert, River Hutt, farmer
McDonald, William, River Hutt, labourer
…
McKenzie, John, River Hutt, storekeeper
McKay, William, River Hutt, butcher
…
Miller, John, River Hutt, labourer
…
Milne, Wm. River Hutt, farmer
…
Owen, William, River Hutt, druggest
…
Parker, Thomas, River Hutt, labourer
…
Pattinson (sic) H., River Hutt, labourer
…
Percy, Joseph s., (sic), River Hutt, miller
…
Phillips, George, River Hutt, sawyer
…
Pool, N., jun., River Hutt, labourer
Potts, Lawson, River Hutt, storekeeper
…
Pringle, Charles, River Hutt, bricklayer
…
Rayner, John, River Hutt, gardener
…
Reid, Thomas, River Hutt, labourer
Renall, Alfred, River Hutt, miller
Renall, Robert Wm. River Hutt, miller
…
Riddiford, Daniel, River Hutt, sheep farmer
…
Robinson, Thomas, River Hutt, shoemaker
…
Rollins, Thomas B., River Hutt, farmer
…
Roy, John, River Hutt, Engineer of roads
…
Sharran, John, River Hutt, labourer
…
Smith, George, River Hutt, labourer
…
Smith, John, River Hutt, bricklayer
Smith, A. w., River Hutt, labourer
Southee, George, River Hutt, labourer
…
Tidswell, Joseph, River Hutt, labourer
Thomas, John, Waiwetu River, sawyer
Thomas, Michael, River Hutt, labourer
…
Whiteman, George, River Hutt, sawyer
White, Joseph, River Hutt, shoemaker
Wilkie, John, River Hutt, labourer
Wilkinson, Charles, River Hutt, labourer
…
Williams, Wm, River Hutt, smith

Wellington Independent 2 January 1864
MILITA AND VOLUNTEERS.- The following

appointments appear in a Genral Governement

Gazette of the 23rd inst:-
…
In the Taita Rifle Volunteers – William

Whitewood to be Captain. Date of

Commission, 3rd December, 1863. William

Read Welch to be Lieutenant. Date of

Commssion, 3rd December, 1863. David

Dalgity to be Ensign. Date of Commssion,

3rd December, 1863.
…

Wellington Independent 17 January 1865
VOLUNTEER DINNER AT THE TAITA.
On January 3rd, the members of the Taita Rifle Volunteer Corps assembled in Mr Welch”s paddock, for the purpose of partaking of the hospitality of Lieutenant Welch and Sergeant Hughey, who were successful competitors for Government Prizes.
A large tent was erected in which about 80 guests sat down to dinner. Major Gorton, Dr Boor, Rev. E. (sic) Herring, and the officers of the Hutt Volunteers, favored the company with their presence. Captain Ludlam occupied the chair in the most able manner, and was well supported by Dr Boor as vice-Chairman. A blessing having been asked by the Rev. J. E Herring, the company proceeded to do ample justice to the abundance of good things set before them. After the cloth was removed, Mr Hedges, the Secretary of the Company, read the following:— “Mr Chairman and Gentlemen — As this is the first time we have met together on an occasion like the present since the Taita Company of Rifle Volunteers was formed, I take this opportunity of giving these gentlemen who have favored us with their company to-day, and the members of the corps generally, a slight sketch of our proceedings during the past year. Gentlemen, you are all aware that three of our members, Lieutenant Welch, Sergeant Hughey, and Mr Thomas Harris have been successful competitors for Government prizes, and I am sure that the members of the corps are pleased with their success. Lieutenant Welch and Sergeant Hughey, having most liberally promised to give their prizes to the company in some way or other, considered the best way to spend their prize money would be to invite the whole of the Company to a friendly dinner, with the hope of maintaining the good feeling that has existed generally throughout the corps. I beg also to mention that during the past year we have had a trial of skill with the Porirua Rifle Volunteers, and although they were unsuccessful, they manifested the most cordial and friendly spirit throughout. We expect soon to fire a return match in the Taita, and I have no doubt that the same generous rivalry will exist in the next competition. I am happy to say that considering the scattered position and agricultural occupations of the members of the corps, the attendance at drill has been very good, and I am quite sure that you will all agree with me that we are under no small obligation to Major Gorton and Adjutant Cleland for the very able and efficient manner in which they have instructed us in our drill. In conclusion I only hope that the same good spirit which has existed hitherto, will always continue among us and tend to promote the peace and security of the district, and that the present may only be the first of many similar meetings.”
The Chairman, on rising, said he had very great pleasure in proposing the health of her most gracious Majesty the Queen, and Royal Family. He was quite sure that wherever Englishmen assembled together they would always respond heartily to that toast. Drank with all honors.
The Chairman said the next toast he had to propose was the health of his Excellency Sir George Grey, the Governor of the Colony- He said Sir George Grey had taken a great interest in the affairs of New Zealand for the last twenty years, and that His Excellency was personally acquainted with, a great number of the old settlers, and he (Captain Ludlam) believed that Sir George Grey had the real welfare of the colony at heart. Drank with honors.
The Chairman said it was usual at all public dinners to drink the health of the Army and Navy, but more particularly on this occasion as this dinner was of a military character. The inhabitants of New Zealand were under the greatest obligations to the army and navy for their valuable services, in defending the homes and property of the settlers. I need not remind you of the gallant deeds performed by them during the late war in the North, and the loss of lives sustained in upholding her Majesty”s supremacy in New Zealand; most of the old settlers will also remember the war with the natives in 1846, when both soldiers and sailors rendered very great assistance in protecting our homes in the Hutt. Drank with honors.
The Chairman said he had great pleasure in proposing the health of the Colonial Troops, both Militia and Volunteers, and he begged to couple with this toast the name of Major Gorton. He had only to refer them to the manner in which they had acted in Taranaki in order to show the value of the civilian forces. He might also refer them to the time when the Militia performed very valuable services in this district. Drank with all honors. Major Gorton, in responding, said it gave him great pleasure to meet them on this occasion. He had seen the Militia and Volunteers at Taranaki behave in the most gallant manner, and he had no doubt that if ever the services of the Militia and Volunteers in this Province should ever be required that they would be able to do their duty. He begged to thank them for the very hearty manner in which they had drank his health, more particulary as there had been some slight misunderstanding between them. He felt happy to think that all past differences were forgotten, and he would always be glad, so far as lay in his power, to assist in furthering the interests of the Company. He was sorry for having to leave them so early in the evening, but had called a meeting in Wellington that night for the purpose of organizing a Volunteer Fire Brigade and that he was foregoing a pleasure to perform a duty. (Loud cheers).
The Chairman said it gave him great pleasure to propose the health of the Taita Volunteers and Captain Whitewood. He considered it a duty they all owed to one another, whether as Militiamen or Volunteers to devote some portion of their time to acquire the use of their arms, so as to be able to act in case of emergency. It was well known what a state of alarm we were all in before the settlers had arms issued to them. It had always been his opinion, and recent events had confirmed it, that the best way to keep peace with the Maories was to be prepared for war. He thought that the Government had taken a wise step in calling out the Militia once a month for the purpose of examining the arms and ammunition that had
been served out to them. If the Government were to propose to disarm the Militia it would raise an outcry from one end of the province to the other. He felt quite sure that they would all agree with him that it was quite necessary that the arms and ammunition should be inspected, so that if ever they were required for the protection of the country, they would be fit for service. He was happy to see the cordial and friendly spirit that had prevailed among them that evening and had great pleasure in drinking the above toast. Drank with honors.
Captain Whitewood, in responding to this toast, said he felt highly gratified in returning thanks to those gentlemen who had honored them with their presence that evening for the very kind manner in which they had drank their health, and he hoped that the conduct of the Taita Volunteers would always merit the approbation that had been accorded to them that evening. (Hear, hear).
The Chairman said the next toast he had the pleasure of proposing was that of Lieut. Welch and Sergeant Hughey, to whom he understood they were indebted for that entertainment. He knew that they were all acquainted with those two gentlemen whose names he had mentioned; their parents were among the earliest settlers and had borne their full share of the trials and difficulties that the first colonists had to contend with, and it was quite unnecessary for him to dwell on their liberality in inviting them together that evening. Drank with honors.
Mr Welch briefly returned thanks. Mr Milne begged to propose the Volunteer Officers of the district, and to include in that toast the name of Adjutant Cleland. He considered the members of the Volunteer Companies were under the deepest obligation to those gentlemen who had taken such great interest and devoted so much time towards bringing the Volunteer corps to that state of efficiency in which they now are. He considered that Captain Cleland had been identified with the Volunteer movement in the Hutt from the beginning. That his thorough knowledge of his duties as drill instructor, his courteous demeanor towards both officers and men, and the zest with which he had joined them in all their social enjoyments, had gained for him that high character he so justly merits. Drank with all honors.
Captain Cleland, in returning thanks said, he felt highly honored by the manner in which the company had responded to his health. He begged to disclaim any particular merit in being able to instruct them in the use of their arms. He had had a great number of years” experience at drill, and he ought to be able to perform the duties of his office. He was proud to say that he had been connected with the first Company of Volunteers that had been organised in the Hutt, and they had been highly complimented by the General Government for the way in which the corps had been conducted; he had likewise been officially connected with the Taita Company, and he was happy to say that it gave him great pleasure to refer to the cheerful manner in which they had always acted while under his command. He was happy to include a number of the gentlemen present among his personal friends, but apart from that his official connexion (sic) with them had been a source of unmitigated pleasure. He was also officially connected with several Volunteer Corps in the Wairarapa which were in a high state of efficiency, and he would be happy to believe that his services had contributed to the success of the different Volunteer Corps in the district. (Loud cheers.)
The health of Dr Boor was next proposed and drank in a most hearty manner.
Dr Boor, in briefly returning thanks said, that he felt flattered with the manner in which they had drank his health, and as his professional services to the ladies had been mentioned he had great pleasure in proposing their health. Drank with the usual honors. Mr Milne said that he had another toast to propose, and one which gave him great pleasure, it was the Militia of the District, and with that toast Captain Ludlam, who had so ably filled the chair that evening. He hoped that no invidious distinction would arise between the Militia and Volunteers in this district, for should ever the services of the settlers be required, he felt quite sure that both Militia and Volunteers would heartily co-operate. Captain Ludlam had taken a prominent part in the affairs of the Hutt for the last twenty years, and had always been anxious to advance the interests of the inhabitants. He (Mr Milne) was quite sure that they would all agree with him that the thanks of that meeting were due to Captain Ludlam for his ability in the chair that night. Drank with honors.
The Chairman, on rising to reply, said, he hoped that neither the services of the Militia nor Volunteers would be required for any other purpose than training and exercise, but if unfortunately a war should break out amongst us, he had no doubt that every man would do his duty irrespective of the corps to which he belonged. It gave him great pleasure to think he had in any way contributed to the harmony of that meeting by occuping the chair, and he thanked them for the hearty manner in which they had drank his health. (Cheers.)
Several other complimentary toasts followed which were duly honored; the company were also favored with a number of songs during the evening, and at a late hour retired to their homes highly gratified with their day”s enjoyment, which will long be remembered as one of the most pleasant spent in the Taita.

Wellington Independent 18 February 1868
MILTIA AND VOLUNTEERS.- Lieut.-Colonel Reader has proceeded to the Hutt and Taita districts on a tour of inspection, and will be absent for about a week. During his stay in the valley, Colonel Reader will visit several fine companies, most of which have recently provided themselves scaret Garibaldis in lieu of the now obsolete blue jumpers.

Nelson Evening Mail 10 March 1868
The Taita Company of Wellington Volunteers has made the best score in that province as yet for the District prizes, Private T. Harris having made 59 points, and Corporal R. King 58. The highest score obtained by the Lower Hutt Company was 56, and by the Porirua Company 53.

Wellington Independent 7 May 1868
RIFLE MATCH
A RIFLE MATCH came off at the Taita yesterday, between eleven of the Otago representatives at the late colonial rifle match and fourteen of the Hutt and Taita Volunteers, which resulted in the victory of the latter by forty-three points. The condition were – three ranges, 400, 500, and 600 yards; seven shots at each range; any position. The following are the scores made:-
HUTT AND TAITA.
Volunteer J. Hirst 52
Lieut. Walch (sic) 51
Volunteer R. KIng 50
” ” R. Prouse 50
” ” D. Sinclair 47
” ” T. Green 47
” ” W. Grace 43
” ” J. Eaton 43
” ” N. Grace 42
” ” R. Dick 42
” ” W. Hooper 41
” ” W. Cunningham 41
” ” T. Harris 39
” ” J. Sinclair 35
Total 622
–
Average – 44.5
–
OTAGO
…
Total 579
–
Average 51.8
…
After the match, the riflemen went to the Albion Hotel, where victors and vanquished sat down to an excellent spread, provided at the expense of the latter. Captain McFarland occupied the chair, and Captain Cleland officiated as vice.

Southland Times 11 May 1868
Wellington, Thursday.- Rifle match between 11 Otago and 14 Hutt and Taita Volunteers – result, Otago, 579, Hutt 622. The Otago men had therefore to pay for the dinner which followed

Wellington Independent 26 March 1868
VETERAN VOLUNTEERS.
THE Veteran Volunteers will parade on the reclaimed land, at 5 oӍlock on the evening of Thursday, the 26th instant, for inspection by Lieut.-Colonel Reader, Commanding the District.
GEORGE BUCK,
Captain, Veteran Volunteers.
March 24, 1868.

Wellington Independent 28 May 1868
THE HUTT AND TAITA VOLUNTEERS.- On Monday, notwithstanding the unpromising look of the weather in the early part of the day, the members of NO. 1 Company Hutt Rifles, and the Taita Volunteers, mustered in force at the stockade at 11 o”clock, and after blank ammunition had been served out, the two companies, headed by the excellent band of the former, marched towards Petoni, and at noon fired a feu de joie in honor of her Majesty”s birthday. The companies then expended some “blank” in file firing, and after having been put through battalion drill by Captain and Adjutant Cleland, they were marched back to the stockade and dismissed.

Wellington Independent 8 September 1868
Captain Mills and the Hutt Rifle Volunteers.— The Hutt Rifle Volunteers, No. 1 Company, entertained their popular Captain at a dinner which was given on Saturday, at the Masonic Hall. Mr Fitzherbert occupied the chair. Colonel Reader and the officers of the Lower Hutt and Taita corps were present. The health of the guest of the evening was drunk with much cordiality. In responding to the toast, Captain Mills thanked the company for the unexpected honor done him. He could not but feel highly gratified at that mark of respect. From the time he joined this Company in July, 1860, to the day on which they had last paraded under his command, he had experienced nothing but kindly feeling from all, and he took that opportunity of saying that during the whole of that period he had never found it necessary to report a single case of disobedience of orders, or of misdemeanor of any kind to mar the unity of members. He trusted that this state of feeling would long continue amongst them, and that under their new commander they would endeavor to maintain efficiency and excellence in rifle practice. The day was not far distant, he hoped, when one of the members of his old company would win the Champion Belt, or at least a first class prize. He concluded by thanking all for their good feeling, and for the honor they had done him. Captain Mills proposed the health of Captain Whitewood and the officers and members of the Taita Volunteers, and spoke of their readiness at all times to co-operate with the Hutt Rifle Volunteers. The whole affair passed off remarkably well. An excellent dinner was provided by Mr N. Valentine.

Star 14 April 1869
query Hutt and Taita
about the Duke being in Wellington
–
and Wellington Independent 17 April 1869 and
13 May 1869 – could be a repeat of 17 April article

Wellington Independent 1 June 1869
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.- The following are announced in the “Governement Gazette:”
In the Wellington Militia – Captain William Alfred Fitzherbert (Hutt Cavalry Volunteers) to be Captain, from 10th May, 1869.
…

Evening Post 25 July 1870
PORIRUA VOLUNTEERS
The seventh anniversary of the above company was celebrated on Friday last by the competition for A. de Brandon, Esq”s., annual prize of 10 pounds,
…
At the conclusion of the firing, the company adjourned to host King”s, Johnsonville, where a sumptuous dinner was provided, and to which a number of invitations had been issued. Among those present were Colonel Reader, commanding Wellington District; Capt. Whitewood, Taita Volunteers; Capt, Valentine, Hutt Militia; Ensign George Hedges, Taita Rifle Volunteers, &c.,
…

Evening Post 14 August 1874
About the Hutt Rifle Association
query Taita

Evening Post 21 March 1890
THE VOLUNTEERS.
…
The Heretaunga Light Horse will fire a match to-morrow against a Featherston team, starting at 12.15, at the Taita Range.
Heretaunga team – Scholes, Welch, Menzies, C. Copeland, Chuck, Capstick, W. Pringle, H. Stratford, Fox, G. Pringle. Emergencies – Cudby, Compton, Silna (sic).
…

Evening Post 27 March 1890
The Volunteers.
A match was fired at the Taita on Saturday last, between teams selected from the Featherston Rifles and the Heretaunga Light Horse, resulting in a win for the former by 21 points. Considering the weather and bad ammunition, the scoring was very creditable. The contest was at 300 yds only, time not permitting the long distance to be fired, as the Featherston men had to return by the 3.30 train for town.
Heretaunga.
Trooper Pringle 36
Trooper Stratford 31
Sergeant Copeland 32
Lieutenant Pringle 28
Trooper Chuck 30
Sergeant Scholes 38
Trooper Welch 42
Sergeant Fox 22
Corporal Capstick 28
– Menzies 22
Total 309
FEATHERSTON.