VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 275, 20 November 1899, Page 4

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

No. 1 BATTALION CAMP

Tbe Battalion struck camp on Saturday, after a week's instruction in practical work. Lieut.-Colonel Murray, commander of the battalion, informs, us that be is well pleased with the work done; that officers and men have shown a good spirit, attending closely to duty. A night attack on the camp was made by the St. John's and King's College cadets on Wednes-

d-y evening. The. attack was very we'll managed by the cadets, who were ultimately repulsed by the battalion. A few seconds after the alarm bugle was sounded the several companies of the battalion were formed up at their several alarm posts, awaiting orders, the right half battalion being sent out at the double to meet the attack, the left half remaining in charge pf the camp. Pickets, regimental guards, and all hands promptly stood to their arms on their own ground. The Battalion lamp signalling practice between the Domain and North Head was carried out on Friday night, and was very successful. The cipher messages were smartly given and quickly read at either point, proving that, the Battalion sTgnn-fifei; !- .h'rO'ugli' ' .fie kindness of Captain Coyle, E. 8., have much profited by their instruction. The Battalion \vnk inspected on.Frlday evening by Colonel Banks, Officer Commanding' the District, who expressed himself as highly pleased with the Work done. On Saturday camp eq.ui.ppa.ge and regimental baggage were taken off the ground early in the day, tents struck, and all the camp cleaned up. by 3.30. A short sham fight and march past was held in the afternoon, and the march home via Parnell was made about -.30. The sham-fight iook the form of an attack by the Battalion on a strongly fortified hill occupied by a company representing a force of Boers. The right half battalion was under Major White, the left half and the reserves under Adjutant Major,. Colonel Murray acting as umpire. The firing line moved out in extended order, advancing first by sections, then, as the distance diminished, by alternate rushes of half companies. A liberal supply of blank ammunition had been served out, and lieavy volley-firing was maintained throughout the attack. As the attackers approached the Boers' position, the order was giyen for independent firing, and a heavy fusilade was kept up on both sides. The Battalion, after hard fighting, carried the position at the point of the bayonet. During the operations an attack was made on the left Hank'of the Battalion by a fresh body of the enemy, but this

was well met and promptly repulsed by Captain Major changing front with" ii strong body of the reserves.' . , At'iC'r the fight the Battalion .formed up-for the march past," for which the

Garrison Band, 'under Bandmaster Hunter, supplied ;-thp muSie. Lieut.Col. Murray. "'Brigade-Surgeon Lt.-Col. Dawson, and Captain Sedtield were at the saluting base, while Major White was in charge of the Battalion. After the march past, and the return in quarter column, the Battalion deployed into line, and, advancing in review order, gave the general salute. About half-past five the march home was commenced. theßattalion proceeding to.the Drill Hall via Parnell and Queen-street. During the afternoon some eighty homing pigeons were liberated from the..'camp by Mr S..JL Howie, of the Great.'. Barrier Pigeongram Service, who had placed 'his birds at the disposal of the Battalion officers. Several of the .officers took, advantage of the birds.-to . send messages into town. During the afternoon pigeongram despatches sent from ''the front" by Col. MurraY, describing the attack on the "kopje" were received at the "Star" Office.;, The- "A" Battery and Ponsonby Navals, who are at present in camp at Devonport, attended dhurch parade together oh Sunday morning. The total muster on parade was about 160, each corps having fully eighty men in camp this year.