OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1991, 23 October 1886, Page 2

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

THE REVIEW.

The weather yesterday was all that could be des'red for the military manoeuvres in connection with Sir George Whitmore’a visit to the and district,there was, consequently, a very large attendance of the public, The infantry assembled in Market Square at 2.30 p nr. and, under the Hon Major Bailie and Major and Adjutant Webb, marched to Draper’s paddock where the commandant’s inspection was to take place. Capt Dodscn had previously arrived fiom the Hussar camp with his troop, and, after exercising them in a variety of movements,'which were exceedingly well executed, had drawn them up to await the arrival of the infantry, who presently came up and formed on the left of the Hussars, Shortly before 4 o’clock Colonel the Hon Sir George Whitmere, K.C.M.G., with Capt Peake as aide-de-camp , rode on the ground and was accorded a general salute. Colonel Whitmore then inspected the whole force, which afterwards marched past the reviewing point, led by the Hussars. This part of ohe afternoon's manoeuvres was exceedingly well performed, and, as the Hussars again approached at the trot, tho Colonel exclaimed, “ Very good, indeed.’’ The cadets, especially, whee’ed capitally. The Hussars then dismounted and Major Baillie exercised the infantry in company drill, after which Major and Adjutant Webb put them through the manual, platoon and sword-bayonet exercises in each of which the men acquitte? themselves well. Major Webb then threw out the Hussars as an advance party to meet an imaginary enemy, and the infantry followed ia skirmishing order. The Hussars met their supposed foe, and, after firing hotly for some minutes were compelled to retreat and cover the infantry, who were now supposed to be hotly engaged. The latter eventually repulsed the enemy and thus left an opening for the Hussars to engage in pursuing practice. In all these manoeuvres the Hussars displayed much efficiency and steadiness, the excellence of their mounts being a’so the tlmnio of general admiration. The whole force was then formed up in square and Sir George Whitmore was pleaded to address to them some very compl mentary remarks. No. 1 Company (Blenheim Rifles), ho said, had been about aa perfect in their movements as they could well be, and the cadets also showed much efficiency. There was nothing like training young lads, and he hoped they would stick to their work. Although laboring under great disadvantages both tho Hussars and the Spring Cr«ek R fles h d much improved since ho last inspected them, and he particularly congratulated the Hussars on their evident determination to over, come all obstacles and give even * yet better account of themselves. The infantry then marched to the Hussar camp, where they were dis* missed, and Oolopel Whitmore took the Hussars in hand himself, show* ing them some new movements, after which Lieut. Collet exercised the troop ir squadron drill. After about half-an lnur s drill, under tho eye of the Commandmt, the trcop moved off to their camp, where they / dismounted, and C ilonel Whitmoro rode on to his quarters at the Criterion Hotel. The arrangements were most complete, and everything passed off without a hitch oy a n acc’dout. Thanks to the foresight qf Sergt, White, who had stationed his men at diff rent parts of the field, there was no crowding on to the ground, although a very largo number of spectators were present. Following are the parade returns: Staff, 4; Marlborough Hussars, Capb Dodson, LieutsCollet^CLrkjSurgepn Nairn, and 30 non commissioned officers and troopers; Blenheim Rifjes, C ipt. Rogers, Lieut- Griffith? aud Lieut. Fowler, and 47 rank and file, Spring Creek Rifles, Li Wa'-Bon and Lieut. Soper and 3 rank and file ; Cadets, Capt. Lucas, Lieut. Pasley, and Lieut. Griffith*! and 39 rank and file ; total a* ranks, 167.