SHAM FIGHT TO-DAY.

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

SHAM FIGHT TO-DAY.

The four days' Easter encampment of the Auckland district volunteers at Potter's Paddock*. Epsom, ended today with th.c usual sham fight and mimic attack on and defence of the approaches to Auckland. The general idea mapped out by the commanding officer was that a. force to represent the enemy should advance from the vicinity of Bastion Fort (Kohimarama) and Orakei, and be resisted by the. rest of the volunteers, who should def end, the approaches torßemuera and Auckland, with the camp at Epsom as a base point. The forces told off as the enemy consisted of the volunteers in camp at North Shore (about 2,00 strong), consisting of the Devonport Coastguard Artillery, the Hauraki Rifles, Thames Navals, and Ponsonby Naval Artillery, with the addition of the No. 2 Company of the Waikato Mounted Rifles (from Pirongia), the Grammar School Cadets, and one gun (representing a battery of the 'A' Battery of Artillery, under Captain O'Brien). This force representing the enemy totalled somewhat over 300 men. The defending force consisted of the rest of the volunteers, totalling about 800 men. The orders were that, the attacking force at the North Shore should cross to the southern shore by steamer early this morning and land at the Bastion, and would be joined near the Bastion by the gun from the Battery and the Cadets. The attacking force was under the command of Lieut.-Colohel Shepherd, while Major

Murray was deputed to the command of the two ritle battalions and the three mounted companies representing the defenders. Colonel Pole-Pen-ton, Commander of the Forces, was umpire-in-chief of the operations. His assistant umpires were Lieut.-Colonel Banks, Major Pirie, and Captain J. Grant (District Adjutant). The defending column marched out of the Potter's Paddock camp about 8.30 o'clock this morning, and took the route seawards towards Orakei road, via Remuera. The 'enemy' meanwhile had landed in the vicinity of Ebhimarama by steamer from Devonport, and their 9-pounder gun was posted out on the road.towards St. John's College.

The defenders were disposed with a long front extending from Orakei Bridge up past Mt. Hobson, the right flank of Major Murray's force being a company occupying a position to the southward of Mr Crowther's house. One-half battery (two guns) of the 'A' Battery, with the defenders, occupied a position on Orakei road, being supported by the Auckland Eifles. The No. 1 Victoria Eifles were sent down towards the Orakei Bridge, and were extended in skirmishing order to oppose the passage of the bridge by the enemy. The rest of the companies were sent out in the fields, extending from Orakei Bridge to near the Ladies' Mile, on the eastern side, of Mount Hobson, and on the road beyond Mt. Hobson the other half-battery of 9pounder field guns was stationed, about two miles beyond the mountain, on the right front of the defending force. The No. 2 Rifle Battalion were also stationed at this point, each company being in extended order under their respective captains. The No. 3 N.Z. Natives were posted near the corner of Mountain road and Remuera road, and the Newton Eifles were in reserve. Each volunteer was supplied with 30 rounds of blank ammunition.

Firing was commenced about 10.30. the • two A Battery guns with No. 1 Battalion opening fire on the enemy's battery, which was at that time taking up a position in the trees to the westward of St. John's College. The infantry came into action about eleven, when the enemy's outposts came into view on the ground overlooking Orakei, having marched over there from the Bastion. ' Simultaneously the No. 2 half battery opened fire on two companies of navals of the enemy, who made their appearance on the siopes to the south of the Purewa Creek, having marched round by St. 1 John's College.

Some of the attacking companies were very dilatory in landing, and one company took so long in getting into position in the scrub on the Orakei Creek that it did not come into action at all. The attackers also made a mistake in concentrating their forces on the Orakei Creek, instead of extending. They also failed to pay enough attention' to taking cover. The Onehunga Eifles, part of No. 2 Battalion, were taken prisoner by the enemy. The defending party had % very strong position, and when the order to 'cease firing' sounded at 12.30 p.m. had not fallen back at all. They therefore secured the verdict of the umpires. The bulk of the firing on the part of the defenders was done by the-No. 1 Victorias, and the College Eifles, who were behind cover in an orchard on the rising ground in the south side of Orakei Creek. j The Camp breaks up to-night :

In order to assist in the.identificatiou of the dead body found in the harbour yesterday, the following particulars have been furnished regarding the tatoo marks on the body. On the right forearm is a well executed floral wreath, and in the centre two letter M's in writing capitals. Directly underneath is the figure of a woman on a pedestal, also executed in Indian ink. On the biceps of the left arm is an eight pointed cross done in fed and blue, and on the left forearm below is another wreath encircling a heart done in red and of tlje size of half-a-crown. In the centre of the heart is a cross and underneath is a group of flags with the American Eagle and Coat of Arms. The deceased has dark brown hair cut very short. Persons able to identify from the above description should communicate with the police.

A Kaihu settlements correspondent writes: Some disappointment was felt by settlers along the Hokianga Road when it was known that the Governor and the Premier were not going; to ride through. A party were waiting to welcome them. One matter they wished to touch upon and if possible get he Premier's support for was-the extension of the Kaihu railway, a work which would be of great assistance to so many isolated settlers northwards. The present distance of road to Kaihu precludes the settlers from engaging in many ventures that might be profitable were the distance shorter by three miles. We have had a regular downpour of rain for nearly a week, which will prove a blessing to the stock, feed having been unusually scarce this summer. Emit trees planted this season have done splendidly, and potato crops were very good. Of the latter a third crop is nearly ready. The road is being greatly improved by widening and metalling near where the extension of the railway (when done) is supposed to end. The settlers are engaged in various ways, some at road improvement, others gum digging, etc., while some are fencing and building. Visitors constantly pass through, and one, who is pretty well known throughout the North (Mr Burton, of Mt. Eden), paid the settlers a. visit last week, visiting all the schools and each settler. ;, . ; >