OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9605, 21 December 1896, Page 6

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

THE FLYING COLUMN". Some time ago—in fact, we believe when Cantain J. C. Martin had command of the E lottery—it was proposed a flying column of artillery and infantry should be started off from Christchurch for Kaikoura. The project came to a head on Saturday, when almost 120 of the troops, including mounted infantry and riflemen, left the city at 8.30 p.m., as a flyiug column, to assist in the defence of Kaiapoi. The evening was mild and cool and the road in good order, and without much delay the march out was easily accomplished. The column was accompanied by the district and battalion officers, and ambulance and commissariat wagons. Nearing Kaiapoi, the cyclists of that Company challenged tne advance of the Mounted Rides near White's bridge with ill success, as the mounted men rode down and captured two of the cycle riflemen. At the Kaiapoi drillshed every preparation was made for comfortably housing the troop 3, also for stabling the horses. The Rangiora Rifles arrived at 9.30 p.m., after the main body from the City got in. A few men under Captain Cresswell arrived at a later hour, or rather an early hour next morning. It wa9 arranged that an attack and defence of the town should be made, for which the Kaiapoi and Rangiora Rifles, almost fifty strong, under command of Captain G. H. N. Helmore, formed the attacking party. The former Company was divided, the Rangiora I Rifles under Lieutenant D'Auvergne on the left, Kaiapoi right half Company under Captain T. Millar in the centre, and Kaiapoi left half company under Lieutenant J. Simpson, on the right. The defence was on the south side oftheßeach road and Smith street, and the defenders in command of Captain W. A. Day, were City Guards, under Captain Creswell, on the left; College Rifle 3, under Lieutenant Norman L. Smith, centre; and City Rifles, under Lieutenant Fairburn, on the right, with the Mounted Infantry, under Captain Snow, acting as scouts. The attackers commenced operations from Horrell's bridge on the North road at 8.30 a.m., at which hour the defenders moved from the Kaiapoi drill-shed. The Mounted Rifles' scouts sent along the roads from which the enemy was expected, were soon discovered by the cyclists of the Kaiapoi company, and their progress was checked, but a section of about eight of the Mounted Infantry with more zeal than discretion having discovered an eligible spot, picketed their horses m a yard, and commenced to pepper the enemy, who were too strong, and soon had the brave defenders in trouble. Captain Helmore's tactics Avere apparently the making of a large display of force on his left Hank, which gave the defenders the impression- that would become the scene of a heavy fight, while, like Te Rauparana, who in 1829 fought the Maoris over the same ground, he sent forward his centre and right flank, the latter forcing its way through a thick and heavy scrub. In the Domain a temporary check was given to the attack and Captain Day gave his attention to the right and left of his line, while Captain Millar with his attacking force, which had ceased to fire, crept in like the wily Maori chief already alluded to and succeeded in getting through the lines of the defence. There was a brave fight near the Woollen Mill. The engagement lasted for about an hour, and many of the men on both sides when they came out of it looked as if they had been doing a full day's hard work, as they were dripping with perspiration and covered with dust. Considering the attackers had a complete knowledge of the country, and the defenders knew nothing of the locality, the work done by the latter was most creditable. The buglee having souifded, the troops formed up at the junction of .Beach road and North road, where, after a slight halt to collect the Mounted Rifles, Major Slater, addressing the companies, said as umpire for the day it was well perhaps that he should say a word or two, and give his opinion on the manoeuvres. The honours of the movements belonged to the attackers. In the early part of the work the Mounted Rifie3 went to the front with an excess of zeal, mistaking their duties, and acting in a manner which had a tendency to develop a fight on their own account. It should have been the duty of that useful arm of the service to have discovered the enemy's position, and, if possible, with the information available, reported the numbers and apparent strength of the attacking force in order that the officer in command of the defence force might have made a disposition of his troops to the best advantage. Regarding the remaining portion of the defence the infantry was too much extended to give material support, therefore the attacking party simply came through. The greatest pleasure was -given him to witness the interest taken in the manoeuvres, and the fact that .the' men one and all had their hearts , in the right place, and he hoped they would profit by the suggestions offered. The companies returned to the Drill Shed where they were dismissed for dinner. In the afternoon at 2 o'clock, headed by the local band/ under Bandmaster Hoskins, which both- played and marched in a thorough military fashion, though it is a private bandj the Volunteers had a battalion drill in the_Park, the mounted infantry being exercised on Barnley square, in front of the residence of Mr R. Moore, M.H.R. This over, a march past of all the I troops took place in the Park. It was j noticed that in this the City Guards went past with considerable precision in dressing and marching.

The parade state was: — Staff-Major Slater (comminding the district), Lieu-tenant-Colonel Francis, Captain Day v ActingMajor), Captain Hobday (Acting-Adjutant), Surgeon H. Compton Parsons, SergeantMajors Barritt, Purvis and Poster, 8; Mounted Rifles, Captain Snow. Lieutenant Bailey, 27; City Guards, Captain Cresswell, Lieutenants Sandford and Bishop, 36; Christ's Collegejtifies. Lieutenants Norman L. Smith and Merton, 20; Christchurch Rifles, Lieutenants Fairlmm and Haddon, 35; Kaiapoi Rifles, Captain T. Millar and Lieutenant J. Simp3on, 42; Rangiora Rifles, Captajj Hehnore and Lieutenant A. D'Auvergne, 15; Ambulance and bandsmen, 4. Total, 185.

Both at the sham fight and at the review there was a large attendance of the public. After the parade in the park the troops returned to the Drillshed, where they were addressed by Colonel Francis, who referred to the cheerful way in which the men had performed their duties on the march, in the field, and on parade. Although some mistakes, as pointed out, had been made in the field, much "useful experience was gained which would apply in case of emergency. The men of the city companies had in many cases left a fatiguing Satu.day's work to join in the march, and he hoped their example would have its influence on others who might have joined in. The steady battalion drill was an evidence of the great improvement which had taken place in that respect, and on the whole the first attempt at organising a flying column harl been attended with practical success. In conclusion he tendered his best thanks to the Kaiapoi bandsmen. The companies were dismissed for tea, and at 5 p.m. the bugle sounded the "aasemblyV for the march to town. The respective corps stepped away at a smart pace, and the local corps may take to itself great credit for having been in a position to house and provide accommodation for both men and officers. It seems, however, rather hard that.the companies have to pay the whole expense of the undertaking out of private funds, as we learn the Defence Department could not be induced to contribute.

Three small casualties happened. One man was slightly burned on the face with powder, another had his head out in using the rings of the gymnasium, and another had his nose damaged by a similar accident. Otherwise the services -of Snrgeon Parsons, •who was on duty throughout in the ambulance department, were not called into requisition.