THE INVERCARGILL REVIEW.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1607, 15 April 1879, Page 3

THE INVERCARGILL REVIEW.

[Press Special Wire.J Invercargill, April 14. The volunteers mustered in force this morning for transmission to the review ground at Waiwera. The first train, with Nos. 2 and 3 battalions, left at half-past eight, and wis followed by another train with No. 1 battalion and a number of the public an hour later. Then the general public com'tenced to crush in, and fully three thousand persons were conveyed to Makerewa. The railway arrangements were better than usual, and the disposal of so many people was effected without confusion. A mistake, however, was made in not announcing that no trains outward would rim after noon. A few people were prevented thereby visiting the grounds. The town wore a desolate aspect all day. It seemed to be liberally emptied of inhabitants. The sham fight commenced at noon, as No. 3 battalion marched on the ground. This battalion took up the defensive position, with batteries C. E, G, and K ; the point defended being a clump of bush. Battalions 2 and 3 and batteries B and J attacked. A sharp contest ensued, the movements being well executed. The attack was opened by Major Lean, and No. I battalion, including the Christchurch companies, and was supported by Major Walsh and 2 battalion. They advanced in open order, and were received by a smart fire from the defence. Some very pretty manoeuvring ensued, but it was almost impossible to distinguish the movements, owing to the spectators and troops becoming mixed, and eventually the attack was repulsed. The battalions then marched to the review ground, a fine big paddock belonging to Mr Morton. Here a two hours' review followed, and battalion movements were gone through. The men on the whole acquitted themselves admirably. The honors for steadiness and good order in the march past was about divided by the Dunedin artillery and Dunedin Naval Brigade, which both marched and wheeled like walls. The Dunedin City Guards were also very noticeable. The Cromwell Rifles excited much admiration by their good marching. About the middle of the afternoon a heavy shower fell, and sent a number of spectators flying home by the first train. The sky, however, soon cleared again, and the day closed, as it had begrun, very fine. The proceedings were most agreeable throughout, not a hitch of any kind occurring. All the men marched to town by eight o'clock, and half-an-hour after midnight a volunteer train will leave for Dunedin. As many of the Dunedin companies as can find room will return by it. At the close of the review, Col. Stavely called out the officers and thanked them for the attention they had paid to their companies, and for the able manner in which they had commanded that day. He noticed a great improvement in the battalion drills since the men had met at Invercargill, which showed that what they needed to keep up to the mark was plenty of practice at home.