THE OTAGO HUSSARS.

Evening Star, Issue 7350, 24 October 1887, Page 2

THE OTAGO HUSSARS.

Colonel Wales, the reviewing officer on Saturday, was attended by Majors Gordon and Callan and Captain Milne as staff officers, and the troop was commanded as follows: Squadron leader, Captain Stronach ; right troop leader, Lieutenant Maclean ; left troop leader, Sergeant-major Robin; squadron serre file. Surgeon Coughtrey; squadron guide, Sergeant Park; adjutant, Sergeant-instructor Roberts By four o’clock, the hour fixed for the review, Tahuna Park was attended by a large number of visitors, who, however, found the outing anything but a pleasant one, and were glad to crouch for shelter under the lee of the fence, as a whole gale of wind was in its prime, and the sand was blowing about in everyone’s eyes. The boisterous weather was an inconvenience also to the troops, for at times the word of command had to be guessed at by those ten yards away from the speaker, and the blinding sand troubled the horses in no slight degree. Notwithstanding this disadvantage the troop went through their movements in a satisfactory manner, their wheeling being especially the subject of favorable comment from the spectators. The review movements were as follows March past by squadrons; trot past by troops; rank past by sections in single files; charge from reviewing line to saluting point. These movements executed, the following field exercises were then gone through Charge front; right and left back ( charge front to right and left; retiring from both flanks j re.-formjng line to front; full squadron formed up for sword exercise and pursuing practice. The afternoon’s work was brought to a conelusion, by Instructor Roberts putting the men through an exercise known as the' “spiral,” a pretty movement consisting of inarching round by lessening circles to the centre and then reversing till the original circle is formed. Colonel Wales then addressed the squadron, expressing his satisfaction with the manner in which they had .comported themselves under rather disadvantageous circumstances. The week’s training had evidently benefited them considerably/ and .he was satisfied the Colony j had in them tile mwletts of a most useful corps which could be employed 'on active duty if occasion arose. Yesterday morning the men went through some sword and carbine exercises; and the following .order was read at mess : Tahupa ParJ: Encampment, Sunday, /October 28, 1887. The officer commanding the Otago Hussars see)res to notify bis satisfaction with the ouster of the men, and their general conduct and hearing while in camp and on duty. Those members of the trepp who have absented themselves from duty without glvjng sufficient reason will he either Sued or compelled fo leave the (roop. The country mem‘ ers ot the troop who have left their ordinary vocations for the purposes of; this training are specially deserving of note. , The absence of Lieutenant Qow through sickness in | his family has been a matter of genera) regret to both officers and men. The officer commanding trusts that 1 during the interval between this and next training the individual members of the troop will continue to pay that attention to drl'l and to soldierly training,. which contributes so materially towards making the. irobp more and more efficient, ' r (Signed)' '• D. Stronach, ' ■ • Officer commanding. At two o’.cjook, .being in readiness, the tenfcVfif? jpro&y 'mili- ( tavy fashion at flip sound <?f the canvas was put in its Jashfngp upcl AW* away to the store, and the pnoan)pwnt flf 1887 ended. The men express entire satisfaction at the catering during the week, which was undertaken by the Coffee Palace management. The food was good and generally Teddy to time, which was no easy task the gales of wind that have prevailed. - ' The annual general meeting/)? th e Hussars I was held in the namp on Friday jjigh>, w fipp a statement of the troop’s financial position was made, and it wqus found they coiild now provide all tba'mieiuD.ere Vlfh hoofs and breeches, so-as, to complete, theft and still leayp a smaßbalapcu |» hand.