THE REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 4 April 1899, Page 2

THE REVIEW.

Later in the afternoon the whole of the troops, to the number of about 1,200, were paraded in camp, under command of Lieut.-Colonel Shepherd. The- brigade formed up in column (company distance between each company), and then wheeling to the left marched past the saluting base, •where the Un|on Jack was posted, and where Colonel Pole-Penton, Lt.Colonel Banks, Major Maddocks, and Father Walter McDonald were stationed. The mounted infantry came first, then the 'A' Battery of Arlery, in their dark blue uniforms with red facings and white helmets; then the Naval and Coastguard Artillery, and finally the two battalions of infantry, in which the majority of the Companies were uniformed in the familiar khaki cloth. The marching, especially of the Kb. 1 Battalion, was good. The music for the marchpast was supplied by the Auckland Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Hunter. After the march - past the mounted corps went past at the trot, keeping very even fines, while the infantry formed up in quarter column, unfixed bayonets, and advanced Sgain with arms at the trail. Afterwards the Brigade deployed into line, and advancing in review order gave the general salute. Officers were then called to the front, and the Commandant of the Forces, Colonel Penton, thanked them for the good attendances there had been at camp, and the splendid conduct displayed throughout. Special reference was pjade to the excellent spirit and loyalty shown in the volunteering for Samoa if required. Colonel Penton said His Excellency the Governor, •who,had visited the camp on the preTious day, and seen the men manoeuvring, was much pleased with them, and had expressed himself to that effect in a letter which would be published in district orders. t .At the close of the review baggage was packed, and preparations made> for striking camp. The No. 2 Bat-t-alion -broke camp first, the various Companies separating and going their respective ways, some to Eemuera to catch the Waikato train, the Engineers to town, and the Onehunga Bines to the Western port. Then the Navals, Coastguards, and 'A' Battery moved off, the departures being accompanied by much cheering and ■waving of hats aa Companies passed each other. Finally the" No. 1 Batta-j lion formed up on the parade ground I

about 5.45 p.m., and marched into town via Parneli, reaching the Drillhall about seven o'clock. Before the men were dismissed Major Murray called the officers of the Battalion to the front, and thanked them for the excellent musters and good conduct of the men throughout the camp. He further thanked them for volunteering with such heartiness for Samoa. It was only what he had expected of his Battalion, but nevertheless it was very gratifying to himself. The senior sergeants of each corps were then called to the front, and the Major thanked Acting-Sergt.-Major Mcintosh for the ability he had displayed in the important, and to him, new position, he had occupied during the encampment. He also thanked the non-commissioned officers as a whole for their excellent spirit and close attentio-n to duties; but Captain Major, the adjutant, who had more to do with that part of the Battalion than he (Major Murray) would speak to them on that point. Captain Major said that of all the camps he had attended hi the past, and they were many, he was never in a camp where better order was maintained by the non-commissioned officers than "that of the No. 1 Battalion, of which he had the honour of being Adjutant. Thus was a most successful encampment brought to a close. The Waikato mounted corps are remaining in camp for another three days, for instruction by Captain Coleman, the Government instructor for mounted Companies throughout the colony. The Samoan contingent were paraded yesterday afternoon, and photographed at firing exercise for the 'N.Z. Graphic' A photograph of the officers of the contingent was also taken. The Auckland Bearer Company took part in the sham fight, a detachment under Dr. Walker- going with the attacking party, the remainder, under Brigade Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson, being attached to the defence force. Mr H. M. Smeeton supplied the provisions for the whole of the encampment, and the fact that no complaints were made about the commissariat is evidence that he carried out his contract in a satisfactory manner. As a matter of fact the food was both excellent and plentiful.