MALVERN MOUNTED. RIFLES

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10786, 13 October 1900, Page 9

MALVERN MOUNTED. RIFLES

The Malvern Mounted Rifles, under Captain G. Rutherford and Lieuts. Deans and D. McMillan, w«nt into camp in the Sheffield Domain on Monday, for the creek's annual training. There was a muster of 71 out of a total strength of 73. The camp site is one the best that could have .baen found in the district, and is an ideal camping ground, being entirely surrounded by a beii of trees, which form a complete shelter, both for tents anc? horses. Staff-SergeantHMajor Caleman has been in camp as instructor. Captain Ruth-erford resolved to make this camp as nearly as jjossible on service lines, and stiff drill was the oid=r of ths day from the time camp was pitched. Guards'have been kept mounted at ,the gate day and night, wliile a picquet has been ccais'tantly in hand over the horses. Tbers are 19 bell t€nts, of which two are ,in use for guard! and piquet duties, and four as forage and. saddle tents. A large marques is used as a mess-room, Mr P. Burke being the caterer. The camp ■was pitched by the members of the corps, under the direction of Staff-Sergeant-Major Colf-man, and that the tents Juve stood against the howling nor'-westers and heavy rain which occurred during the first three days, says much for the work done. The horses generally are of a useful, cobby stamp, just the class needed for troop horses, and are very regular in height. The men and officers are all willing workers. Dismounted drill was taken each morning before breakfast, and looking at the .men as they drilled on. Friday morning, it was difficult to believe th-sy had only been four days in canip, and that the corps had been formed only a few .months. For steadiness and generali work their dismounted drill compared favourably with anything seen in any camp in Cantsrbmy, and their mounted work came little behind it. During the week mounted parades have been taken in the forenoon and afternoon, and these have been carried out on strictly service lines. In the marches service .guards have been thrown out, and advantage has been taken of the faflly country to .put the men through a lot of practical work. The interior camp duties are run generally upon the lines laid down in Lieut snant-Cokmel Rabin's book, the non-commissioned officers having to give written .reports each. day. On Thursday night a smoke concert was held in the mess marquee, to which the officers and some civilian friends were invited. During the evsning. songs,»cornet and violin soles, and recitations were given by the members of the corps, the accompaniments being played by Sergeant Pole, who had kindly lent the piano. The annual inspection by LieutenantColonel Gordon took place on' Friday afternoon, and so good was the work done that it palled forth special praise from the inspecting officer. At the close of the inspection Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon complimented Captain Rutherford and his officers upon the work done .that afternoon. They had a very good corps indeed, and first-class horses, and he trusted to see still further improvement. The corps were then exercised in field movements and skirmishing, the Xo. 3's filling their places -w-eIS as horseholders. There was a large attendance of the public, who appeared to thoroughly appreciate the exhibition.