THE VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15124, 13 October 1909, Page 5

THE VOLUNTEERS.

LABOUR DAY MANOEUVRES. T.h o Canterbury Automobile Association arid several private owners have provided about seventy, cars for the purpose of transporting the troops from the King Edward Barracks to Yaldnurst and West Melton for to-day's manccuvres. This number will not be sufficient to cope with the 500 men who are expected to take part in the manoeuvres, and negotiations are being made with the Tramway Board to have the men carried by tram as tar as Riccarton, and thence they will be carried to their stations by means of relays of motor cars, returning from the manoeuvres D y the same method. Colonei iriawluns, o fE cer commanding the disfl + it last cvonin g that ho hoped that those owners of cars who had not given m their names to the Automobile Association would enter into the true.spirit of the offer and see the neqftsity of the work. Ho hoped that they would offer the use of their cars lor the purpose of carrying the troops one way at least, a movement which would not require more than one hour. At the Officers' Camp at Hagley Bark last evening a lecture was given by « i !•,, awkins on " The Co-operation oi Artillery and Infantry in the Final stages of the Attack." Every branch of the service in the district was represented at the lecture, about fifty officers being present. At the conclusion of the lecture Colonel Hawkins met his personal and umpire staff, and laid down the points that should be observed by umpires in the field of manoeuvres to-day. He H r 6l1 v " lto tlle Q. ues tion of the movement of the troops on the manoeuvre map for both sides, the matter heing treated ac strictly confidential between the officer commanding the district and his staff.

At about nine o'clock last night the artillery moved out of camp and proceeded to Yaldhurst, where they bivouacked for the night, this movement being necessary owing to tht fact that transport to-day from headquarters will take place by means of rapid march.

Tho North Canterbury, Mounted Rifles, in camp at Rangiora, are assiduously applying themselves to drill. On Monday morning they were out for squadron exercises, and in tho afternoon there was troop drill, tho day being ended with a lecture by Ser-geant-Major Wood on " Duty and Discipline." Yesterday the company had extended attack practice in Maria Andrews Park and the vicinity. Colonel Chaffey, commander of the No. 1 Regiment, is expected to visit the camp to-day, and Colonel Hawkins, officer commanding the district will make an inspection towards the end of the week. On Saturday afternoon there will be military sports at the camping ground.