THE LAKE DISTRICT VOLTUNTEER REVIEW.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 834, 8 April 1885, Page 2

THE LAKE DISTRICT VOLTUNTEER REVIEW.

. » [by our special correspondent.] No more pleasant duty has fallen to the lot of the writer than being " told off " to chronicle the events connected with the Easter Review at Queenstown. The affair had been looked forward to with deep interest by the Volunteer officers and men of Lake and Southland Districts ever since permission was granted by the Defence office for a review of the troops of the combined divisions. It was first contemplated to have an encampment on a large scale, embracing Volunteers from all parts of the South Island, and preliminary steps were taken with this end in view. Circulars issued to commanding officers elicited replies of a favorable nature that in dicated a very large attendance. To meet the demands upon the resources of the Lake District in view of such a great influx of Volunteers and visitors as were likely to be present on the occasion, every effort was intended to be put forth, and no doubt the caterers would have been equal to th<emergency. However, the Minister of Defence" deemed it wise not to grant the encampment on the scale projected, the chief reason for refusal being that the transport <>f men and material by rail would seriously interfere with ordinary traffic during the holiday season. The interdiction of the Defence Minister put a damper on the efforts of the Lake officers, and for a time it was thought that no gathering would take place at the Wakatipu this year at all events. However, the Southland officers were anxious that the Lakes should be the rendezvous of a military gathering, even were it only on a smaller scale, and at their suggestion the subject was again opened up with the Wellington authorities. After some consideration and delay, leave was granted for a Review of the Southland corps at the Lakes, and the outcome of that occasion is the subject of thin writing. And at this point it may be remarked that if the unqualified success of the meeting just closed may be accepted as an index of what an affair on a larger scale would have been, then there is reason to question the wisdom of having refused the encampment first applied for. However, 1 pass over what might have been, and will proceed to deal with the Review in the shape which it ultimately assnmed. It is right that here it be recorded that the officers of Lake and Southland Districts worked for some weeks previously with great energy and harmony, and the citizen's committee at Queenstown also lent the most valuable assistance towards making the meeting a success. Fortunately the united efforts of these combined forces were backed by another and not less important element in the shape of fine weather. In this latter respect nothing better could have been desired. Throughout the four days' proceedings the sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky, and the evenings, although just a trifle chilly, were calm and enjoyable. The arrangements for billetting and messing the officers and men were in the highest degree excellent, and evoked nothing but complimentary terms from all concerned. The Gr Battery of Artillery and Invercargill Rifles were encamped under canvas in the Park, where every provision was made for their comfort. The whole force otherwise was lodged at Eichardt's and M'Bride's Harp of Erin Hotels, and at both places the arrangements were most complete and satisfactory. Previous military gatherings at other parts have left unpleasant memories, and it is therefore all the more gratifying to record that the present occasion gave rise only to sentiments of general approval. The first troops to arrive at Queenstown wore the men comprising the Cromwell Rifles and Band, under command of Lieut. Jolly. The men reached Queenstown by Craig and Co.'s coaches about 7 p.m. on Thursday, and were soon comfortably quartered at Mrs M'Bride's hotel. Major Thomson, commander of the Battalion, Lieut Kohn, commander of Invercargill Rifles, together with a detachment of men had reached Queenstown in advance, and superintended the fixing of camp in the Park. On Friday morning the Southland corps arrived by the Mountaineer, too early for the formal reception that had been arranged by the local companies. The Southland Hussars, under Captain Burwell, reached town shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday, having safely negotiated the overland passage from Kingston a hazardous passage, the making of which bespoke commendable courage on the part of the horsemen. The troop was escorted into town by the Queenstown Band, headed by Lieut. Dewar, and their arrival was warmly greeted by a large gathering. At intervals during the afternoon the garrison was enlivened by selections of music by the various bands, while many visitors betook themselves to admiring the scenery from points of vantage, others in boating, etc. The demonstration in the Park commenced at 7.30 p.m. The local M Battery mounted the 12-pounder, and fired 15 guns in honor of the memory of General Gordon, the massed bands—lnvercargill, Queenstown and Cromwell—playing in grand style the " Dead March in Saul." Their performance was a most impressive one, and was listened to by a large audience with the utmost attention. The gun firing was carried out in excellent time, and the whole of this part of the evening's programme was carried out with precision and good taste. The promenade concert afterwards was also highly appreciated, the playing of the Invercargill Band being generally and deservedly admired. The Queenstown Band also distinguished itself in a lesser degree by some excellent music. The concert closed about 10 p.m., and by midnight the town and camp was quiet and all lights out. Saturday morning opened gloriously in the matter of weather, and the men were astir at an early hour. The day's work opened with the shooting competition, for which seven teams of seven men each entered. Firing did not commence till between seven and eight, and it was quite 2 p.m. before the last squad finished. The arrangements for the firing were in keeping with the other fixtures of the gathering. Three revolving targets were put up for the competition, and the markers and scorers were all qualified men. Captain Jenkins, Arrow Rifles, was the officer in charge. As will be seen from the detailed scores appended, the Cromwell team proved the victors, with an aggregate for the seven men of 443. For Captain Brown's District Belt—which was fired for between the three local corps—Corporal Thomas, Cromwell Rifles, proved the highest individual scorer, becoming possessor of the trophy with 79 points. Thus the Belt remains with the Cromwell Rifles pending the next and final competition, which takes place on 24th May. The scores of the respective competing teams are as follows :

After lunch, the battalion was formed up, and marched to the western terrace, where they were dismissed, and the afternoon was taken up with sports of various kinds. Without going into details of these here, it will be sufficient to note that one or two of the events caused a good deal of interest, notably the tug-of-war. .Six teams competed—lnvercargill Rifles, Bluff Navals (2), Riverton Rifles, M Battery, and Cromwell Rifles. Cromwell defeated the Inver cargill men, but succumbed to the Bluff Navals, who in turn had to give way to the superior strength of the Queenstown men. In the 250 yards handicap, Volunteer Strake of Riverton breasted the tape a couple of yards in front of Volunteer Goodger of the Cromwell company. Tilting-in-the-ring by the Hussars was won by Trooper Powell. In sword exercise the Hussars were adjudged the best, and Invercargill Rifles took the prize for bayonet exercise, there being only two competing teams, from the same company. Owing to darkness settling down a number of items were omitted, but altogether a very pleasant afternoon was spent, satisfactory alike to Volunteers and visitors. The Band contest in the evening brought together a large audience in the Town Hall. Only the Queenstown and Cromwell bands competed, and first place was awarded the Queenstown band, who played with care and good taste, the pieces being " Elmira " and the " Royal Musketeers." The selections by the Cromwell Band were " Forest Queen" and " Hours of Beauty." Bandmaster Fraser conducted with great efficiency. Considering its strength, the Cromwell band acquitted itself well, but it was weakened by lack of instruments essential to success in a competition of this kind. They received a very cordial reception, and had no reason to feel disheartened at the verdict of the judges—Messrs Siddal and Ferguson of the Invercargill Band. After an interval of ten minutes, a musical treat of great merit was afforded by the Garrison Band, who played beautifully a number of selections, giving an hour's enjoyment such as never has before been experienced in the interior. The Church Parade on Sunday forenoon was a pleasing feature in the proceedings. The " assemble " was sounded at 9 a.m., and the battalion was put through an hours' drill before dismissal for church service. The forenoon was somewhat cloudy, but by noon the sun shone out. Most of the garrison spent the afternoon in a visit to Arrowtown, every available trap and horse being put into requisition. The Hussars also went to the neighboring town, which for some hours was particularly lively. During the evening a promenade concert of sacred music was given by the Queenstown and Cromwell Bands, who played on board the Mountaineer steamer moored alongside the wharf. There was a very large public audienc-, who enjoyed the musical performances with evident gratification. Monday morning the battalion was early astir and soon on the march to Frankton—between four and five miles from headquarters—where the Review took place. Major J. Thomson was in command, and Captain S. N. Brown was reviewing officer. The battalion worked with great steadiness, and earned high commendations. It was made very noticeable that for practical instruction the handling of a battaliou was much more useful to the officers and men than would have been a brigade. The moving of the latter is too cumbrous and invested with too much formality to be effective as a maans of instruction—which certainly should be the primary aim and object of Volunteer encampments. Active work while in the field is what the men want, and the exercises at Frankton were of the utmost advantage to both officers and men. The strength of the battalion was : Staff—Captain Brown (Lakes District), Reviewing Officer; Major Thomson (Southland District), Commanding Battalion ; Sergt.-Major Scully (Lakes District), Garrison Sergt.-Major ; Sergt.-Major Blackmore (Southland District), Battalion Sergt.-Majoi\ Bluff Navals.—Lieut. Creagh and 26 men. Southlaud Hussars.—Capt. Burwell, Lieuts. Forbes and Finn, and 24 men. G Battery.—Capt. Feldwick (Junior Major), Lieuts. Evans and Ross, and 24 men. M Battery.—Capt. Wilmot (Garrison Adjutant), Lieut. Dewar and Mehaffey, Dr Douglas, and 29 men. Invercargill Rifles.—Lieuts. Kohn and Hawkins, Dr Galbraith, and 41 men. Riverton Rifles.—Capt. Acheson, Lieuts. Reid and Robinson, and 20 men. Cromwell Rifles.—Lieut. Jolly and 16 men. Arrow Rifles.—Capt. Jenkins (Senior Major), Lieuts Healey and Stoddart, and 20 men. Bands. —Invercargill Garrison Band, 25 men ; Queenstown Band, 20 men; Cromwell Band, 13 men.

As before indicated, the Review was a very marked success, and afforded not only a great deal of useful instruction to the partakers in it, but considerable pleasure to the large gathering of onlookers. After a variety of battalion movements, a sham fight took place, which conveyed with impressiveness the stratagem of actual warfare. The formal inspection by the reviewing officer was an interesting feature, and the effect was in its way perhaps as striking as any item during the day. The March Past was also a feature in the programme, and was worthy of the commendations it elicited. In the infantry, the verdict for steadiness and deportment lay between the Invercargill Rifles and those of Cromwell. Nothing could well exceed the beauty of the spectacle generally—magnificent weather, well-appointed and active troops, ably handled by Major Thomson, a big crowd of interested spectators, and scenic surroundings of striking grandeur—all contributed to render the scene one likely to be long remembered. It woidd be wrong to omitmention of the part taken by the Southland Hussars. Their presence and excellent drill added very greatly to the general effect. The horse-racing did not attract much attention, and it need only be noted that two of the events were won by Cromwell horses —Haricot and Magician. The ball in the evening was a brilliant affair, and brought to a close an event which may be marked as an important page in the history of the Wakatipu District. From beginning to end the Review was an eminent success, creditable alike to the promoters and those attending from the Southland District. It only remains to say that the utmost good order prevailed throughout, and the guards and piquets found their duties anything but oppressive. This sketch merely deals with the actual events of the meeting, and perhaps next week more special remarks may be made on the military aspect of this pleasurable assembly.

Cromwell Rifles. 200yds 400yds 500yds Tl. Corp. Thomas 23 31 25--79 Col.-Sergt. Crabb... 25 23 22--70 Corp. Menzies 28 23 14--65 Vol. Scott 19 23 22 - -64 Lieut. Jolly 21 24 17--62 Vol. Anderson 19 16 20--55 Vol. Keay 21 6 18--48 443 M Batteky. Sgt. -Major Morgan 21 27 11--59 Capt. Wilmot 23 14 11 - -47 Corp. Salmond 23 14 18--55 Gr. Bodkin 26 16 19--61 Corp. Gilmonr 24 17 22--63 Bugler Moore 26 24 20--70 Lieut. Mehaffey ... 23 23 1S- - 64 419 Ikvercakgill Rifles (1st) Sergt. Nichol 26 16 23--65 Corp. Cumberbach 23 21 18--62 Vol. OToole 24 16 22 -62 Sergt. Peters 22 18 9--49 Lieut. Hawkins ... 26 25 12 -63 Sergt. Pattei-son ... 23 20 24 -67 Cr.-Sergt. Dunlop 20 18 10 -48

Riverton Rifles. Capt. Aitchison . ... 16 28 23--67 Vol. Cummings ... 20 11 15 — 46 Vol. Crocket ... 22 13 19 — 54 Vol. Forsyth ... 23 27 17--67 Vol. M'Kay ... 17 19 18- — 64 Vol. Ramsay ... 28 12 12- — 52 Lieut. Robinson ... 17 16 22 — 55 405 Arrow Rifles. Capt. Jenkins . . 21 16 30--57 Lieut. Healey ... 18 18 8 - — 42 Lieut. Stoddart ... 22 14 15 — 51 Cr. Sgt. Fletcher .. 19 11 20 - — 50 Sergt. M'Whirter. ,.. 27 11 13 — 51 Sergt. Chalmers ... 22 25 23 — 70 Vol. Hay ... ... 21 G Battery 12 16 — 59 380 Corp. Pelligrew . .. 15 ' 11 13- — 39 Gr. M'Natty .. 23 19 14 - — 56 Gr. Williams ... 23 13 18- — 54 Gr. Watson .. 21 8 5--34 Gr. Craig ... .. 19 21 14--54 B.S.M. Harvey . .. 25 24 15--64 Gr. Hunt ... ... 1G 20 15--51 352 Invercargill Rifles (2nd). Corp. Hawkins . .. 17 9 20- - 46 ■Sergt. Roe.., ... 25 12 S - -45 Lieut Kohn ... 25 11 o . -38 Vol. M'Natty . ,.. 18 15 5 -38 Bugler Nash ... 16 12 5 - -33 Corp. Crowther ... 26 22 11--59 Vol. Patterson ... 25 15 10--50