VOLUNTEER MANOEUVRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 251, 20 October 1904, Page 3

VOLUNTEER MANOEUVRES.

AN INTERESTING SCHEME

The First Battalion of Aueklana Infantry (C.R.0.) paraded, last night for field manoeuvres. The general instructions to the commanders of the opposing Coroes were as follows:—A force ("A") ir.is supposed to have landed from cruiser*

sear Howick, and after beating back the defenders of Auckland, had invested the

•.ity, the line being from St. George's Bay through the Domain to Mt. Eden, and across to Cox's Creek. A portion of the defeuding force C'B") were to try to break through a section of the out post lines lying between Park-road and the sea. Major Myers was in command of the force, trying to break through the lines, and the force at his disposal, consisted of abont 100 men, taken from the Victoria Rifles, the College Rifles, and the Nos. 1 and 2 Native Rifles. 1.c., the right half of the battalion. The left half, consisting of 70 men drawn from the No. :j Native Rifles, the Gordon Rifles, and the Newton Rifles, provided the outposts. Captain J. R. Reed commanded. The secret instructions given to the eomninnder of the defenders' outposts were that the main ramp of the besiegers was at Mt. Eden, from which reinforcements could be sent to any part threatened in 45 minutes from the time the message was signalled (by lantern). The instructions given to Major Myers (Force "B"') were that the country battalions had mobilized and were expected to arrive at Green Lane about 11 p.m.. but that they were short of small arms ammunition. His object would be, therefore, to effect a junction with this force, and to take out to them a supply of .:-5f).S ammunition in waggons. Tn the case of bolh forces operations had to start, at iixed times. Lieut.-Col. Owen, X.35. Sraff was the umpire-in-chief, and he wa3 assisted by Lieut-Colonel White and other officers. Capt. Reed divided his line nifo fhrpe piquets. The No. 1 piquet extended from the corner of Brighton-road and Ayr-street to the eastern ridge (outer Domain). and consisted of the Newton Rifles, under Captain Plugge. The No. 2 Piquet (the No. -?. Native Rifles, under Lieut. Macintosh"! stretched from here to the Cricket Ground; whilst the Gordon Rifles (Lieut. Cnmmiug) defended the Cricket Ground. - Each piquet was responsible for the patrolling to its immediate front. Major Myers detached the Victoria Rifles (Lieut. Cox) to make a feint in the centre, whilst the remainder, escorting the ammunition waggons, made a dash down the Manukaa-road. . The feint was successful. The numbers of the feinting party had been greatly exaggerated by the scouts, and Captain Rec-d, thinking it was the real attack, weakened his.right flank considerably. The No. 1 piquet repnlsed the advanced guard (No. 1 Natives. Capt. Hntton). but had to retire before superior numbers when the waggons, escorted by the College Rifles (Capt. MeHardy and No. 2 Natives) came up. However, the wagcons were probably captured later ou by a portion of the reserve which had arrived from headquarters, and was stationed at Park-road East. -• Soon after this the

"cease Are" sounded, and the whole battalion assembled to hear Colonel ■ Owen's criticisms. He commenced by reading the various orders, and after criticising' them he said that the waspons got past Ayrstreet, but would probably have been captured later on. He expressed himself as pleased with the way in" which the orders were carried out. but pointed out. the necessity for training in scouting, .emphasizing that patrols should see and Tiear as much as possible, without being seen or heard, much less being captured, as several of the investing force's patrols were. Colonel White announced that the next battalion parade would take place on Wednesday, November 16th, when a similar scheme will be carried ont, with different officers in command.

One thing that was brought into prominence was the lack of a cycle corps, thongh - some-, of the infantry-monnted on cycles did good work in scouting and carrying messages.