SUNDAY AT THE CAMP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 77, 3 April 1899, Page 8

SUNDAY AT THE CAMP.

INSPECTION BY THE GOVEENOE.

The preparations made on Saturday for the departure of a detachment of Auckland volunteers for Samoa upset the original programme of the day's work, but on Sunday everything went on as usual. Sunday in camp is generally an easy day for the volunteers, for the company and battalion drill of the week-day mornings is dispensed with, while the men are oft duty for the greater part of the day. Yesterday His Excellency the Governor and party paid their first visit to the camp, and large crowds of visitors came out from town during the afternoon. Captain Kenrick was the brigade captain of the day, with Lieut. O'SulliVan subaltern, while the quarter and rear guards for the camp were furnished by the No. 3 Native Eifles and the Te Aroha Eifles respectively. 'Corps will be particular about the appearance Of their lines,' ran the orders for the day, 'as His Excellency the Governor and the Commander of the Forces will inspect them,' and before the'men turned out for church parade every tent was a picture of neatness, and every man pipe-clayed and polished to perfection.

At half-past ten the troops in camp paraded for divine service, the companies fell in on the parade ground wearing their side-arms, and were marched up to the grandstand in front of the football ground. A few minutes after the men had taken their seats on the grandstand (which accommodated all the troops without difficulty) the vice-regal party, which included the Commandant of the Forces, drove up, and were conducted to reserved seats at the front. The service was conducted by His Lordship the Primate of New Zealand, who was assisted by his chaplain, the Key. Mr Cowie. His Lordship's sermon, the text of which was taken from Colossians i., 3, dealt chiefly with the duties and .responsibilities of a soldier. If we desired peace, we must be prepared for war; that was an acknowledged principle, to which Christian people could subscribe. Our volunteers might have an. opportunity of showing what was in them, and putting to the test the military training they had undergone. Let them cultivate the spirit of obedience and discipline, and imitate the noble examples supplied in the annals of the British Army. Hitherto Auckland's volunteers had not been called upon to prove their worth, but if the call came they must strive to be perfect in discipline, and seek to do their best. Whether soldier or civilian, every man should strive after a high ideal. It would be the duty of the seniors to encourage the younger men, and those who showed a weakness of moral 'backbone.' His Lordship quoted Sir Colin Campbell as saying, 'I estimate the value of the force I have with me at any time by the number of old soldiers present. They will encourage the younger ones. 'Lastly, whether at home, on the sea, or at Samoa, the volunteers should make this their motto, "Whatsoever your hand findeth to dp, do it with thy might."' At the conclusion of the sermon a collection was taken up in aid of the Ambulance Corps. The Battle Hymn of the No. 1 Battalion was sung while the collection was being made, with impressive effect. After the church parade the battalions marched past His Excellency in column;-and were then drawn up on the parade ground while Lord Ranfurly inspected the tents and lines. The vice-regal party were entertained to lunch in the officers' mess.

A review, in which all the troops took part, was held in the afternoon in the presence of the Governor and party. The brigade, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Banks, deployed into line and was drawn up in open order. The mounted troops and 'A" Battery were drawn up on the right of the No. 1 Battalion, while the No. 2 Battalion was on the left. As His Excellency's carriage approached the troops fixed bayonets, and at the command 'Royal Salute,' presented arms. The Governor rode down the lines and inspected the men, ajfter which the brigade formed into column, and* headed by the mounted companies, marched past with rifles at the slope, to the tune of the time-honoured 'British Grenadiers,' returning again at the trail, in quarter column. Afterwards the mounted corps went past at the trot, and then the troops advanced in, review order, presenting arms once more as the Governor departed. A large crowd of spectators watched the manoeuvres with interest.

The parade . over, a number of the companies entertained their friends to afternoon tea, the marquees being decorated with flags in honour of the occasion. The afternoon tea by the College Rifles was on. an .elaborate scale, and gained the lion's share. of the visitors' patronage. Their marquee was visited during the afternoon by Colonel Pole-Penton, Major Maddocks, Colonel and Mrs Banks, and most of the officers in camp, and large numbers of lady friends took tage of the proffered hospitality. ( After the Church Parade yesterday morning ' His Excellency Lord Ranfurly was entertained at dinner.at the officers mess. Mr Stilwell's catering was thoroughly satisfactory. Champagne was provided in honour of the occasion.