INSPECTING TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1914, Page 9

INSPECTING TROOPS

SIR IAN HAMILTON IN CANTERBURY MEN COMPLIMENTED. (BY TELEGRAPH.— PItBBS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, Ist May. Owing to the heavy raia that had fallen overnight the manoeuvres that had been decided upon were cancelled. Operations were therefore altered to divisional inspection of units and a short display of tactics by the infantry, artillery, and mounted men. General Sir lan Hamilton and party arrived by special train about 9.30 a.m. After the general salute the troop* were thoroughly inspected by the Genera], who rode through the lines. At the conclusion of- the inspection the Maxim detachment of the infantry brigade were put through the practice of coming into action, under their instructor. ' • The men did their work smartly, and _ were complimented by General Hamilton, who said they perhaps knew that he had seen a great deal of that sort of work. _ They bad done well, but should be a bit more nippy, and should take what cover they could on the spot as quickly as possible. SURPRISE ' MO VEMENT. The commander of the infantry brigade was then informed, while he waa in the middle of an intricate movement, that he was attacked on the left flank, j The manoeuvre was sprung on the bn- I gade as a surprise, and it is to the commander's credit that the new disposition of his force was dealt with so ' satisfactorily. Scouts were thrown out, i and the men advanced by short dashes until a strong filing line was built up within 400 yards of 'a belt of trees in which the enemy was supposed to be concealed. The firing line and its sup-i ports were composed of the Ist and 2nd Regiments. The flank attack was entrusted to the Coast Defence Infantry, and the 13th Regiment formed the gener-, al reserve. At the critical point, the "Charge" was .sounded, and the .men surged forward with fixed bayonets, yelling and shouting Sir lan Hamilton expressed his satisfaction at the work done. In a paddock a quarter of a mile away the artillery was drawn up, and after the inspection (which also included the Christ College Cadets gun teams) the artillery came into "action in battery column, and fired a few blank rounds in sectional and battery fire. The limbering up and general work of the men was good, and was eulogised by the General. MOIINTEDS ;AT; AT WORK. ' The next troops to be inspected were the Engineers and Mounted Signalling Corps. . Then came the turn of the mounted brigade, under LieutenantColonel R. H. Rhodes, the brigade being drawn up in a tussocky area a mile west of the camp. After the usual careful inspection of all ranks General Hamilton instructed the troops to act as 'if in j South Africa. ' His message was to the effect that mounted troops were 'being | sniped at from a belt of trees half a mile in front, and he was also concerned about his right tlank, which was menaced by the enemy taking possession of a low ridge. ' In a moment the air was full of noise of galloping hoofs as squadrons sprang to take up their positions. The Maxim detachment and their supports held ( the ridge, 'the horses being left under cover, and ihe other squadrons dealt very effectively with the situation in front. . The reserves (the Kaikoura squadron) went last into , action, and their work was characterised by plenty of energy. Sir lan Hamilton said that he was glad he had not had to go away without seeing such a fine lot of horsemen in action. , j At the conclusion- of the mounted manoeuvres the troops formed up and marched .past the General. The ceremony was ah impressive one, the whole column 'being fully a mile long. The marching, , dressing, and deportment of the " men were good, and ' the massed bands added to the effect. THE GENERAL SATISFIED. After the march past the ] troops formed up in hollow square, and were addressed by General Hamilton, who expressed his satisfaction with the work done. The men, he said, had tackled the problems set them excellently, and he was pleased to be able to compliment them upon their work. The General then turned to the assembled officers, and said :—" Gentlemen, you have had a hard time with all this rain and wet. When they want to get gold they, pour water on mud and the gold is left. I hope, gentlemen, that you understand my little analogy. To find out the stuff a man is made of he must be put to a ! certain amount of trial. I think that no one's health has suffered to any extent, j and the men certainly seem cheery, keen, and full of go; and when men are. like that,' it is the officers who are largely responsible, and they deserve credit. I have had an interesting day, and am satisfied with what I have seen." Sir lan Hamilton then said that that day he had been asked to be honorary colonel of the 2nd South Canterbury i .Regiment. He would have to ask the King's permission first, but if that was obtained, he would have the greatest pleasme in acceding to the request, which he would consider an honour and pleasant memento of a good day.