VOLUNTEERING NOTES.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4594, 4 May 1904, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING NOTES.

TE PTJKE MOUNTED RIFLES IN CAMP. On Friday, 29th April, the Te Puke Mounted Rifles proceeded into camp, at Mrs Way's paddock, (at Maketu), for their annual training, their strength being 45 N.C.O 8' and men under Captain Bennett, Lieutenant 3 FrazerHurst, Boucher and Tuthill, and Sergt Major Coleman being the Staff Instructor. On arrival in camp the mer were dismounted and told off- in fours to pitch tents, etc., after which a guard was told off and posted. Next morning dismounted drill was held at 7.15 a.m., under N. C.O.s' and Troop Leaders ; breakfast, 8 a.m; tent inspection, 9.15 ; mounted parade, 10 a.m., at which the men were instructed in field work. In the evening a general meeting was held and Mr Tuthill reelected Lieutenant. On Sunday morning, at 10 a.m, the men were paraded under their Troop Leaders and proceeded to their respective churches, No 1 Troop to Te Puke and No 2 and 3 to Maketu. On Monday there was dismoun - ted drill from 7.15 to 8 a.m. At 9.30 the Fours-leaders were paraded to draw lunches for their respective fours, and at 10 a.m. the Squadron paraded, mounted, and after being eerved out wi«h ten rounds of blank ammunition, were told off to furnish a service advance guard, and proceeded in the direction of Matata. On reaching Maketu, No 1 Troop, under Lieut. Frazer-Hurst, scouted through and took up a position on the high ground overi looking Waihi and signalling all clear. No 2 Troop, under Lieut. Bouoher, then occupied, as quickly as possible, a Pah in a good position in case of a retreat being necessary. No 3 Troop, under Lieut. Tuthill, representing the main body, then proceeded on their route and safely reached their day's destination. After lunch had been partaken of the men were exercised in extended order, and it then being time to retire to camp No I Troop were ordered to attack the Pah that was occupied by No 2 Troop in the morning, and after they had taken it NO3 2 and 3 Troops were told off to retake it, and No 1 finding their position untenable retreated by fours alternately, and were pursue 1 and driven back to carap by Nos 1 and 2 Troops. A feature of the camp is the great keenness shown by all hands in their work, and classes for N.C.Os. are held every evening to prepare them for examination on Thursday. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Squadron will do out post duty. On Thursday afternoon they will be 'At Home ' and will be inspected by the Officer Commanding the District on Friday.