AFTER THE BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 95, 23 April 1889, Page 5

AFTER THE BATTLE.

VOLUNTEERS RETURN FROM

CAMP.

WAITING FOR THE TRAIN AT

HAMILTON.

The Auckland Volunbeers, who have been encamped ab Hamilton since Good Friday, returned to town aboub ben o'clock this morning, wearied and disgusted with the want of foresight and arrangement on the part of the promoters of the camp. They were subjected bo all bhe discomforts of a most miserable night's exposure, and then reached town too late to take up their ordinary duties of the day. It was expected that the men would have been able bo leave Hamilbon ab 11.30 p.m. yesberday, and that was late enough in all conscience. A general parade took place at 10 o'clock lasb nighb, and ab 11 they were marched bo the sbation. They had an hour's march from the camp through a chilly atmosphere and drizzling rain, and as they neared the station were congrabulating bhemselves that their troubles were nearly over. But to their chagrin they found no train in waiting. There was nothing for it bub patience. The time passed slowly until 1.30 this morning, when the much "blessed" means of transport put in an appearance. During this period of two hours bho volunbeers had been employing bhemselvesas besb they could, and bhe bestwasexceedingly uncomfortable, for there was no shelter, and many of. the men gob thoroughly drenched wibh rain. Ib may be imagined bhat no time was losb in embarking, bub ib was 2 a.m. before bhe brain started on its journey to Auckland. A few stoppages were made on bhe way to setdown country corps, and after an eight hours' dreary journey the Auckland station was reached soon after 10 a.m. On airival here tho men fell in, and Colonel Shepherd addressed bhem briefly. He expressed his gratification at the manner in which the encampment had been carried out, and said that as the troops were tired he would nob march bhem to bhe drill-shed, bub dismiss bhem ab bhe sbabion. The men then dropped off in straggling parties, homeward bound, the majority unfortunately having to proceed to a hard day's work withouteither resb or refreshment.

THE SHAM FIGHT.

At the camp on Easter Monday companies' drill was suspended, and there was a parade ab 10 a.m., for the review and sham fight arranged to take place at v bhe corner of bhe Cambridge and Hamilbon Roads. The enemy, represented by the Cavalry, each man counting ten, was supposed to be coming that way to bake the township, and the defending party was told off in this manner :—Ponsonby Navals on the right, viewing bhe road, . flanked by the Waitemata Navals, flanked again by the "0" Battery, Engineers, and the remainder of the line corps, extending for about a mile and a-half. Two guns belonging to the "A" Battery were placed on the rightj flank and two guns on the centre of the main road. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy came in sight. They were thrown oub in several decoy parties, and there Was a large body of horsemen on bhe bop of a hill in bhe cenbre. The enemy did not know bhab two of the defending guns could bear upon them. The main body made an attempt to rush bhe Hamilton Road to get into the city, when No. 1 and No. 2 guns of the artillery played upon them in splendid style and drove them back three separate times. Tho "0" Battery, being in ambush in a small plantation, opened fire upon the enemy as they retired. The enemy went back to the top of the hill, and then made an attack upon tho bush where bhe "0" Battery were. The "O" Battery, being short of ammunition, were relieved by half company of the Waitemata Navals, which kepb up bhe fire for some considerable time. The enemy bhen made a fresh abback, sending bhe troop sergeantmajor as a spy. He was noticed in the scrub, and the defenders opened fire on him, sending a partj*. round to the end of the bush to ask him to give himself up. The request was refused and bhe defenders fired full iubo the spy, who was then ruled oub of action. The attacking party nexb make an 'attempt to force the defenders' left flank, bub they were repulsed by No. 1 and No. 2 guns, assisted by the Engineers, .Newton Rifles and City Guards, backed up by the Hamilton Light Infantry, Royal Irish, Wairoa Rifles. The latter company fired upon bhe enemy until bhey (the euemy) came within a short disbance, and bhey (the* enemy) then retired. The order was bhen given to retire to the camp and dinner was served shortly after 5.30 p.m. Ib was generally admibted thab the defendingparty had the best of bhe engagemen b.