SHAM-FIGHT AT NELSON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 75, 7 April 1885, Page 2

SHAM-FIGHT AT NELSON.

(B* TKLKSRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION) Nelson, tfaig day. Full* 5>,000' people attended the camp d, Stoke1 yesterdiay, and the reTiwr and stag. fight were aw unqualified' success, AJh»![. past five the men were aatk, and a M nfj» of Armstrong guns were takes io'tiis'' summit of Geyser Hill i» readiuse lortie sham-fight. After early parade the net breakfasted, and then about a thonßaod «i all arms fell in for the sham-fight short]; '• after nine. The Kelson battjilioDj under Major Pitt, consisted of the Nelson Kwilii :H Battery, City Rifles, StokeßiaS Waimea Kirtes, and College Cadets, mi !to this force were added the Mi' Rifles, Taranaki Rifles,. and BlenhdaRifles, the whole forming the deieira force. The Wanganui and Wdliiigtaw battalion* formed the attacking fores, and were supposed to have landed oi the m shore at Stoke with intention of marching,; on Nelson. The defenders took dp inalmost inaccessible position on Geyser JiQ, about (500 feet high, situate on the east of the main road, and having long em, spreading down to undulatiDg groono it the foot of the hill, with level j^lsiiiis eicteoding to the sea. The attacking foros placed two batteries on their extreme right, and afterwards secured a splendid position oil thoir left upon high ground, .where tiny brought another gun into position, having a fourth near the main rood. Thenititej opened fire, and an attempt yi<o aide to1 dislodge the defenders. Skirmuhen advanced np the hffl side* "omhr^wvtf of n flitwk movement, but; onyeach occasion the. attackers «m decW, M--ultimately the 4 defenders P*WF™' ridee, and gradually advawrifara^toy. plains, wherethet'^'ry'TW^W/; advanced round ti * hUlto ft mmm r height before bein^ u df! m,.b^' f £ repeated charges, ea*.h tim«%#s| hurriedly forming into sW.» nl» fire upon them. The ,^oku.gforM m I then driven back towards.. J| then sent forward a flajr. of WSj tilities ceased on condition l^ffPffi departed within twenty-foat, W,;^ latter having been drawn W;JVM' cheers for "The Gallant Enen.^l^v was lustily responded to by &^H for "Our Gallant Comrades," was taken of the opportunity to.M#l the ambulance corps, Beveial m[&•£•: ordered to fall out. The whole wwf movements were visible from vatf6M{wraji| and the scene was very effective. ;W afternoon the review took pk^jf? Stapp being Brigadier ■anOHwnjpofficer. The force then marched ipWTO ': and the Wellington, Blenheim, ;.«j»l Wanganui men sailed, the former « W uight, and the latter at ten p.m.