VOLUNTEERING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7734, 2 March 1909, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING.

'I lie Easter training and manoeuvres for the Canterbury military district will take place from April 9 to 12, inclusive, under the direct command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkins. An instruction and manoeuvre order, issued yesterday states that the manoeuvres will embrace garrisoning the forts, by the Coast Defence Force, supported by infantry other arms (Actiyg Field Force), m outpost r-ee.p.n.Nalsstuice, attacu and defence and marches, with special attention to the co-operation of ((i! O'lius, combinod with field firing ill sin prise targets for field artillery, Maxims and small arms. Th • corps will mobilise at follow: — Foe's it Ripa Island and Pui'fi'i — Canterbury Division Garrison Artillery Volunteers, Section Field 1 Ambulance, Ijtttltou Marine Baud, No. ] Battalion Canterbury Defence Cadet Volunteers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, officer commanding Coast Defence F^rce At Mount Somers. —First Regiment North Canterbury Mounted Rifles, Second Regiment North* Canterbury Mounted Rifles) First Regiment South Canterbury Mounted Rifles (under Lieutenant-Colonel Chaffey, V.D.), E. Battery Field Artillery, _ No, 1 Company New Zealand Eugineora, First North C/anteybu.ry Battalion- of Infantry, Second North Canterbury Battalion of infantry, South Canterbury Battalion of Infantry, Christclmrch Volunteer Cycle Corps, No. 3 Company Field Ambulance, Canterbury Scouts Reserve Corps, Christclmrch Garrison Band, South Canterbury Infantry Volunteer Band, Timaru High School Rifle Cadet Volunteers, Ashburton High School Rifle Cadet ■ Volunteers (under Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon C. J, Smith), On Thursday, April 8, the forces will mobilise at headquarters, and proceed by train to the main camping ground at Mount Somers. On arrival atthe detraining station at 5 a.m. on Friday the forces will establish the main i camp. At noon outpost orders will be ! issued, and the corps will take up out- ■ ] post line for the security of the "camp (day and night). Instructions will be given for attack and ball-firing m attack. The mounted troops will make a reconnaissance, and later on make a hostile demonstration th» "out-' post line as directed by the officer commanding the district. On Saturday morning there will be a reconnaissance, culminating m an attack qii y'iniis-.irig' Gpfijiiin," wjiick will resist the attack and afterwards fight a rearguard action; " Qn Saturday afternoon there will be combined field-firing and manoeuvres, and |hp genera) and special icjea wilj b'p expjjtjned, The general idea is that the advanced parties of a. hostile force, represented by various targets, have taken up a position m a N.N.W. direction, with the evident intention of attacking. Under the "special idea" the targets, stationary and surprise, will be placed m positions unknown. The active field force will receive information .regarding thfi direction of the hostile force, and by reconnaissance will locate its position and proceed to attack, communication with the camp hpjng maintained. On Sund ( ay outposts "will be maintained, but active operations will cease at 9 a.m., when there will be a criticism on the conduct of the attack and | retirement, and genera] cluirch service. On Sunday evening the outpost line will be resumed. The outposts will be attacked by a hostile force, but will be strengthened, and the hostile force repelled. On Monday the column will move m the direction of Staveley and Sprmgburn, and, being repulsed' by a hostile force, will fight a j-earguard action. The forces will then break camp and entrain for headquarters.