OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 119, 20 May 1892, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY SHAM-FIGHT.

Although the total number of local volunteer forces taking part in bhe sham-fight at the Bastion Forb on Tuesday nexb, Queen's Birthday, will not be so large as waa anticipated, the manoeuvres should, nevertheless, be very successful, and of value as v course of practical instruction in attacking and defending movements. Arrangements are being complebed for the field day, and ib is expected that between 400 and 500 volunteers and Royal Navy men will take part in bhe mock babble. Of bhese, close on 200 will form bhe attacking force; and the resb the defending body. The attacking force will consist of bhe Auckland Naval Artillery (Capb. Parker), 70 sbrong ; Ponaonby Naval Arbillory (Capb. Aliller), 50; and bhe debachmenb from H.M.s. Ringarooma, under a lieubenanb, 60. The defending force will consisb of bhe "A" . Babtery of Artillery (Capb. Geddes), City Guards (Lieut. Dornier), Victoria Riflea (Capbain Somers), and Newbon Rifles (Captain Robertson). Ib was expecbed thab the Thames Navala and the South Franklin Mounted Infantry would be able to come down for the occasion in order to form portionp of the atbocking and defending forces respectively, bub those Companies have found ib impossible to attend on the ground of the shortness of the notice given.

The arrangementa for the day include the conveying of the forces down to the Bastion by steamer, and the landing of the attacking force in boats on localities adjacent to the fort. In all probability the three debachmenbs of bhe attacking force will effect a landing ab bhree different localities, one to bhe easbward of bhe forb, anobher to bhe wesbward, while tbe other will advance on the forb directly from the vicinity of the Bastion Rock. The engagement is expected to conclude by midday. The officers in charge of bhe counbry volunteers state thab bhey and bheir men have found ib impossible bo come bo town in time to take parb in bhe Birbhday manoeuvres.

It has been arranged in connection with the sham-fight, thab a number of the senior boys attending the public schools now being drilled by Permanent Artillery men, are to proceed down to the Bastion Fort on the morning of the 24th inst., under charge of some of their teachers, in order to observe the manoeuvres and to receive drill instruction, being stationed in the iorb during the progress of bhe ehamfighbasaeort of "reserve force." Aboub twenty boys from each school will be selected to accompany the volunteers.