REVIEW BY LADY PLUNKET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12933, 12 October 1907, Page 9

REVIEW BY LADY PLUNKET.

AN UNIQUE OCCASION. Tho little township of Culverden waa -resterday the scene of a ceremony which, it-is claimed, is unique in tho history of New Zealand.. Tho North Canterbury -Moiinteil lvifles, No. 2 K«giment, was honoured some time ago by Lady Plunkot's atwlrtanco of tho titlo of -honorary Colonel of tho liniment—the iirst occasion on record on which tho wife of a New Zealand Governor had in this manner identified hereoif -with tho volunteer movement. It was natural therefore that the Kegiinent, gratified by this mark of favour, should be still further giatiiiw.l when it Ix-camo known that tho Hon. Colonel, intended to review her command during the fcpring encampment. ilio squadrons combing tho Regiment— tiio Amuri, Cast. Nortli Canterbur)', and Kaikoura Mounted Riiles—went into camp on Thursday evening on a portion of tiio CurvorUen cetatfc, «tuated to tho east of tlio township. Iho miisUT oi tho squadrons was only a lair one, tho total roll comprising about 100 names. Tiio Kaikcura wiis very poorly •represented, but the othor Mjuadroiw put ionvard' sutisiactory compkv meute. _. 'Jlio weather at Culverden on Thursday afternoon, when her Excellency uriivod, was beautifully tino and mild. During the night heavy rain fell, iiut morning broko with a elixir sky and a strong north-west galo. The volunteers were occupied during tho forenoon with a teams shooting match, and shortly after this was finished tho squadrons were marshalled into tho racecourse, where tho rovimv was held. Tho regiment was under the command of Lieut.-Col. Chaffey, V.D., and tho officers, of tho varioua squadrons wero —Amuri, Captain Adjutant Johnson, Lieuts. Northcote and Overtoil; Cust, Captain Millton, Lieuts. Hunter and Chapman; N.C.M.H., Lieute. Fantham and Moody; Kaikoura, Lieuts. Gray and Allison. A very lively interest was token in tho review by tho rcsi-d-mta of tlio Culvorden district, and thero was quite a largo attendance when the lion, colonel wus escorted to the parado ground. Her Excellency, who rodo Mr Marmaduko Bethell's chestnnt hunter, Span, woro a most becoming adaptation of tho regimental uniform. Iho cap was a neat tliroe-eornorod ono, undistinguished by any decoration other than the gold regimental badge. Ihe absolutely plnirt tunic wos nicely relieved by a shining black shoulder bolt, with gold facings, and tho customary white riding gauntlet. An ordinary riding skirt, also of the regimental dark green colour, completed tho uniform. Her Excellency sat hor mount with an ensy grnco and confidence, and quito acted up to tho roputation which had preceded her visit, of being nn accomplished horsewoman. Her Excellency's A.D.C., Captain Lyon, woro tho uniform of tho Tenth Hussars, and his mount sported tho regimental leopard skin saddle-cloth. Her Excellency, who wns escorted to the parado ground by Colonel Davis (Inspector-General), Colonel Hawkins (Offiber Commanding the Di&triot); Captain Lyon, and staff officere, was received with tho royal ealuto by the regiment! Tho salute was roturned, and her Excellency then inspected tho squadrons, Lieutonant-Colonel Chaffoy end the officere already mentioned being in attendance. The ceremony of inspection over, tho KingTs colours were consecrated and presented to th© regiment with all due formality. The colours wore laid across tho drum, and consecrated to tho service of Ins Majesty by Captain-Chapkin, IVaer, who invoked th© Divinei blcesing oh thorn. The colours were tbon, handed to her Excellency, and Lieu tenant Northcot© advancing reoeived.thont from hor on bonded knee, her Excellency saying, "I present these colours in the narao of Urn Majesty, Kine Edward tbe Seventh." Tbo lieutenant, retired with the colours, aaia tho general salute «oncluded thia iwtoroetmg ceremonial. The regiment thon formed for the, march past, while her Excellency and attendants took up their positions at the ialuting base. The Amuri Squadron took the lead, tho ropreaentaiUvee of tho Oust, North Canterbury, and Kaikoura squadrons following in that order. Passing the ealuting point in fairly close order, tho regiment made a. bravo ami handsomo chow. Tho dark green uniforms and whit© helmete, with plumee, were remarkably effective looking. It wae, in many respects, an irnprossivo eight, and it must have given .many of tho spectators a new end better idea of ouja mounted voluntoera. After the inarch past tho Regiment made a "general advance," and tho royal salute was onoe moro given and acknowledged. ' At this stage of tbo proceedings her Excellency presented to. Captain Chaplain Fraor a long-servioe, medal, to mark his completion of aixteen years' mr-vico in tbo Regiment. The officers -wore thon presented to her Excellency, and after tho übiquitous photographers had dono their duty towards immortalising the occasion, tho Hon. Colonel kd the squadron from th<* parade ground back to Culverden. During the progress of the review the Waiau Baud played several selections.