.jpg)
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]
Ranfurly Rifles
Ranfurly Rifles.
The Ranfurly Rifle Volunteers, named after a former Governor of New Zealand, is an infantry body, and was founded in the year 1900, with a membership of about fifty. For the first three years the membership steadily declined, but late in 1903 Captain C. J. Smith was appointed to the command, and from that date the corps has been a popular and prosperous body. Two battalion and three company parades are held monthly, and the corps possesses some excellent marksmen. The officers are: Captain C. J. Smith and Lieutenant Garry.
Colour-Sergeant Edwin Charles Pirie,
who was appointed secretary of the Ranfurly Rifles in the year 1901, has been a member of the corps for several years. He was
.jpg)
page 330
born in Christchurch, in August, 1882, and when eighteen months old was brought to Napier by his parents. He was educated at the district school, and was afterwards employed for seven years as a clerk by Messrs Huddart, Parker and Company. In 1901 he received his present appointment as secretary of the Excelsior Dairy Supply Company. Mr. Pirie is a member of the Royal Napier Lodge of Oddfellows, No. 4596.
Bunting, photo.
Colour-Sergeant E. C. Pirie.