HAWERA MOUNTED RIFLES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8241, 13 June 1905, Page 2

HAWERA MOUNTED RIFLES.

The prophecy made some time ago that this year's training camp wouid be tho most successful one hold by the corps fur 6ome yeans has proved truc,«for the camp lias proved a success in every way, bur one— tkut of strength, which is, for'u district like Hawera, on the weak side. But enthusiasm lias made up for lack of numbers, every one in camp having worked with a mIJ, "pointers" being conspicuous by their absence. On Friday, "squadron drill" and "fire control" were practised and guard .mounting at night. On Saturday outpost work" was taken in hand, and in tho afternoon tho squadron was used by Lieut. Duncan Blair, of Wanganui, for his practical examination, Staff Captain H. H. Browne being the examining officer. _ - - /_ On Sunday morning divine service was • conducted in camp by the Honorary Chaplain, the Rev. J. A. Jacob, Mrs Jacob also being present to., officiate at the piano. In the afternoon the usual stream of visitors to. the H.M.R. camp flowed in, and tho Hawera Band rendered a choice selection of music which was much appreciated. The Squadron paraded for -an hour, after which afternoon tea was provided by the corps in the camp, and was freely partaken, of by visiting friends. Monday . morning the camp was astir betimes, an inspection by the G.O.C. having been ordered. Punctual to time tho General -was on the parade ground, ami was received with the "general salute." The Hawera Mounted Rifle Cadets, under Captain Mitchell, paraded at the same time. The inspection over, a number of movements were carried out by thet officers aud non-commissioned officers of tho squadron, after which the H.M.U. wcr« addressed by General Babington. , .The General said-he wus very, pleased with tlio creditable manner in which the moll and. houses wero turned out, and at .tho manner in which the various movements were executed. He was pleased to notice that great attention had been given to. the most, important part of the mounted rifleman's training, "dismounted duty" and "fire control. >r He felt sure -that with tho officers and men present, the corps would go ahead and maintain its high reputation as tho Hawera Mounted Rifles. Tlio general expressed « hope that next time -he met tho corps, it- would be luT its full strength, and in a big mounted rifle camp where so»no extended manoeuvres could be ,> undertaken - The afternoon was occupied I m advance guard, rear guard, and_ attack practice. To-day the squadron will proceed to the sandhills, south-west of the cam}) for field-firing- -practice,' and thfa owning Colonel Davis will bo entertained by pa6t and present members of the corps t a smoko concert in tho camp. On Wednesday morning camp WUI bo struck, and in tlio afternoon the H.M.R. memorial ablet wi'l bo unveiled at St. Mary's Church by Colonel Davis, in the presence lof the Hawera Mounted ltifl<?s, Hawera Rifles, IJ.M.R. Cadets, High SdS Cadets and Hawera Band. 5 l