THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

Evening Star, Issue 4896, 9 November 1878, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

Show days appear to be a necessity with every organisation of men. Musical associations though frequently possessed of a considerable credit account at the bank, look forward to and prepare for their periodical concerts with as much interest as though their existence as a, body depended upon the success of their exertions ; firo brigades, though their members may be drilled to perfection and able to cope with the mightiest conflagration, work xip their demonstrations with all possible care and diligence ; trade societies are nothing without their inevitable processions and flaunting of banners, although they may very likely have nothing special to fight for and no particular reason for exhibiting themselves in public; and it is therefore not to be wondered at that in connection wioh the volunteering—which is dually assuming large and national importance—the periodical parades and occasional reviews are regarded as the very life and soul of the movement. This is perhaps as it should be, for drilling by gaslight and marching about muddy streets on dark nights are rather too much like hard work to render amateur soldiering very attracHve ; and, although we should not like to go so far as to say that any of our defenders have joined the force for the sake of the uniform alone, there is no doubt that wearing it occasionally, and marching about before the gaze of the assembled public in all the smartness of military straps, buckles, and appen-d-.yes, is _ very gratifying, and to say the least of it, give:; the men an interest in foeir self-imposed labors, and appeals to their' amour pro«rc with most satisfactory results. Apart from this "show" vio*r of the matter, however, it is unquestionable that field-days on a large senile do a deal of real good to the service by making the individual components of the rank and file acquainted with the newest tactics in the art of war, and by teaching them how to move about and handle their weapons with a minimum of danger to themselves and a maximum of risk to the enemy, real or suppositious, who may confront them; and to those in command of the manoeuvres tho experience must be invaluable, as manifesting their skill or otherwise in handling their men. Reviews, then, may bo looked upon as indispensable accompaniments to volunteering; and, this point being established, it will be evident that the military spectacle which took placo today was an ovenb of considerable interest to the whole Southern island, for, whether viewed as regard 3 numbers or efficiency, it may bo sa'd to huve been the fin' st affair of the kind ever held m New Zealand.

At breakfast time to-day the weather was so unpiopitious that the majority of the weather-wise prophesied that the review would liavo to be postponed. The rain fell in a continiuus pour, and the clouds were so thick and su> charged with water that it looked as if it wnild rain for a week. With gloomy faces and lmlf-weti-fcdunionßs volunteers from dozens of different companies were to be seen dodging about from the shelter of one verandah to another, every now and then casting a glance heavenward and anon curung the ill-luck that threatened to disappoint them of their holiday, which it appeared likely they would have t J spend in hanging about stiange hotels or else in ted. However, at about half * past nine the rain ceased, a rift appeared in the hitherto-solid cloud canopy, then the sun shone out, feebly at first, but gradually increasing in piwer till all the sky was clear; and thenceforth the weather was as fine as one could Avish, although the ground was necessarily sloppy. Before another half-hour had elaj>sed, i.e., by ten o'clock, the men began to muster at the rendezvous in Custom-house square. Among the tirst to arrive were tho Inveicargill contingent, who, commanded by Captain Heywood and headed by their band playing "King the Bull, Watchman," wheeled rouad into Bond street in good order. The brass band at'ached to the luvcrcargillitos—the members of which, by-the-bye, have donned caps fitted with most unmilitary-lookiug feathers more adaptid to a fancy dresa than a soldier's uniform—attracted, as usual, a deal of notice from the assembled mob by their really excellent playing. Further round towards the Cargill monument the other companies shortly afterwards fell in. Thesecomprised'men from Christohurch, Timaru, I and the various Otago country districts, besides the metropolitan corps. Noticeable by the peculiarities of their dress were the Chri itchurch City Guards, win are furnished with a black helmet surmounted by a a; ho and a plated clu'ia wreathed snake-f;uhion over the top, and the '. A '".>k.>ri Hides, wbo were yest*)\<ny sup -Hod with all-black helmets whichmake tho men look exceedingly ferocious and soldierly. The tout ensemble of the scene at the square when nil tho companies had fallen in was very picturesque. There were the light grey tunics of the Tokomairiro warriors; the d irker grey suits of the East Taieri men ; the blue jackets of tho Naval corps ; the scarlet with white facings cf our own City Guards (who, however, wore Shorn of their glory by the substitution of tho white uuggarce for the busbj), and several other bodies; the blue and white dresses of the Artillerymm from all parts j and the green-black coat.s of the Wakari men—each helping to display the smartness of a neighboring battalion and to form a agreeablydiversified tableau. Aii interesting feature of picture was tho number of cadet corps engaged, nearly every company having its youtnful auxiliaries In the matter of bands there was no scat city. Thero were the Invercargiil B&nd, the Head - quarters Band, the the North Duncdin bugle-band, the City Guards Land, and mv<ral other minor kinds. After waiting for abjir. w hour in the square, the time buing occupied in calling the rolls an 4 other such like exercises, tho force marched away via Princes stivet to the Forbuvy. Tt-c ■dvi'.nccd £,uard was a tompaiy cf the City •.>i..vd", folh'wHg «vh\eh vvere the Artillery, and i-hfu the Vii iousmfn.ky divisions. On the arrival of the men nt Forbury Park »it a qi-atter pasr. twe've, a stiif nor'-westtr was Wowing. Notwithstanding the heavy rain in morning, the ground was tolerably dry, and it was decided to proceed with the line of attack at once. . The infantry' corps were stationed'iu tho centre of tho Park a much preferable vantage ground to the sandhills, which weie

selected on the occasion of the review last year —and the Artillery corps with their ordnance occupied positions under cover of the gorso hedges. At this time the attendance on the enclosure, exclusive of volunteers, was about 1,500, while double that number were on the Bandhills. Tho skirmishers wore relieved and reinforced by the supports, and the whole of the movements reflected credit on those who weie iu command. The plan of action was—The Naval Force, having previously taken a position in the southwestern corner of the park, where six guns were in position, the infantry were maiched.to the attack in three columns. Major "Wales's battalion forming the right attack, No. 2 (Major Macrorie's) the left attack, and Major Stewsid's the centre attack. Mnjor Wales's br.ttalion extended for attack to the right, Major M.jer.>rie's to the left, and Major * tawardccommanded the centre. Having advanced until close on the supposed enemy, the fire from the deferring force was supposed to bo getting so aeveie (hat the roscrves reinforced the fighting line. The attacking force wa3 then driven back temporarily, and the defending army threatened the right flank of Major "Wales's battalion, which extended one company to the rtghtfln.uk to rei.el a flank attack. Advancing aiid retirii gin skirmishing order then took place, when No-i. 1 aud 2 battalions formed square to receive cuviilry, and No. 3 battalion (m the centie), not having time to form Bquare, being deployed, and prepared to receive cavalry in line in both flanks. With this the sham fight terminated, ai d parade movements followed. There was a general ralute, aud a few more parade movements the brigade marched past in co'umn, and returned past the saluting point in mass of quarter column, aud the manoeuvres were over. The men were theu formed into squares for the purpose of receiving cavalry, after which they formed a mas* of quarter-column facing towards the g.and stand. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Colonel Wbitmore, now came upon the groundn aud was received by a general salute. Next tho men wheeled into mass of qnarter-column, which movement was very well executed, and then formed line 3 to the left. The total strength of rank and file on tbe ground was No. 1 Battalion, in command of Major Wales.—City Guards, G2; North Dunodin Kiilos, 40 ; South District Rifles. 34 ; No. 1 Waikari, 62; r*ortobello, 32; Waikouaiti, 19 ; City Guards Band. 20. Total, 269 No. 2 Battalion, Major Macrorie in command. —lnvercargill Band, 25 ; Artillery, 41; billes, 45.; Riverton Rifles, 19; Queeustown Rifles, 12; Arrow Rifles, 15; Bruce R.fles, 34 ; East Taieri.27. Total, 218. The West Taieri men, though on parade at the Customhouse, did not fall in on the grounds. No. 3 Battalion, in charge of Major Steward, Oamaru. Oamaru Artillery, 21; Oamaru Rifles, 42; Hampden Rifles, 35; Christchurch Artillery, 31 ; Otepopo Rifles. 33 ; Christchurch Engineers, 30; Timaru Artillery, 27; No. 5 Kaiapoi RtfltF, 29 ; Temuka Rifles, 25; Headquarters Band, 20. Total, 293. No. 4 Eattalion cadet*-, in e immand of Captain Murray.—High School Artillery, 42; No. 1 City Guards, 42; North District, 42; South District, 28 ; Normal, 47 ; Christchurch, 29; Oamaru, 43 ; Oamaru Citizens, 37 ; Waikouaiti. S7: Timaru, 22. Total, 369. Dumdin Artillery, in command of Lieutenant Muir—twenty men, two 121b Armstrong guns. Timaru Artillery, one 241b howitzer; U»maru Artillery, one 241b howitzer; Christchurch Artillery, one 121b Armstrong gun ; High School Artillery Cadefp, one 61b Armstrong gun. The defending force consisted of Captain Goldie, P.0.N.8., in command; DunedinNaval, Captain Smith and 65 men; Port Chalmers Naval, Lieutenant Taylor and 60 men ; Dunedin Naval Cadets, Lieutenant Cutten and 75 men ; Dunedin Naval Drum and Fife Band, 20; Port Naval Cadets, 30. Total, 250. There was also connected with this defence force Surgeons Hocken (Dunedin Naval), and Assistant-Sur-geon Murphy (Dunedin Artillery). The staff officers present were—LieutenantColonel Stavely. in command; Major Lean, Christchurch, Brigade-Major; Captains Reid (Wakari), Pillans (Clutha), Stanley (Dunedin Naval Cadets), aide-de-camps; storekeeper, Sergeant Paxton; staff-sergeants, Stevenson, Harrison, M'Kay, Smith, Towler (Invercargill), M'Pherson (Oamaru), Sculley (Queenstown); armoury-sergeant, Sergeant Mills ; staff-bugler, Bugler Black. The total number on the parade was about 1,450. After the men had received the Defence Minister the following movements amongst others were gone through :—Deploying into line of quarter.column and to the left; quartercolumns on the right of battalions ; line of quaiter-columns on the centre battalion; changing fronts; forming mass and marching. In marching the movements of the Naval Brigade came in for a large share of praise. In the afternoon the weather cleared up beautifully, and the attendance on the ground-stand and grounds swelled enormously; while the many hundreds of heads on the sandhills behind reminded one of the appearance of those parts at race-time. To-night the officers of companies in Canterbury and Otago entertain the Hon. Colcnel Whitmore and the Hon. Mr Sheehan at dinner at the new Oddfollows' Hall, and to-morrow there will be a church parade. On Moaday afternoon the Invercargill band give a promenade concert on the Caledonian Grounds, and it is to be hoped that, with fine weather, the public will attend in large numbers in recognition of services rendeied by the premier i and in New Zealand.