Victoria Valley.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 44, 12 June 1906, Page 3

Victoria Valley.

(From our own Correspondent.) With the Volunteers Encampment in our midst we have had quite a martial appearance for the past week. The Mangonui Mounted Rifles went into camp in Mr. F. White’s paddock on Saturday, May 26th, and struck camp on Saturday, June 2nd. Unfortunately the weather was hardly ideal for comfort under canvas, and so the proposed programme could not be properly earned out. But some good work was done nevertheless, and much experience gained. The instructor, Staff-Sergeant Major Coleman, who has lately taken over the No. 1 Battalion, seemed to be rather dissatisfied with the amount of work done, but was satisfied with the quality, and complimented all on their enthusiasm. On the Sunday evening a church parade was held at Kaitaia, and almost the whole camp marched there and back. On Tuesday night rain fell almost incessantly, and iu the morning preparations were made for draining the camp. Several of the tents were swamped, and in one case the occupants were obliged to pile up their blankets and sit on them till daylight. The whole of Wednesday was wet and no parades were possible; the only thing to be done was to tum-to with spades and get rid of the surplus water. Fortunately, however, Thursday was an improvement, and the weather gradually cleared till on Saturday it was all that could be desired. Some outpost work was earned out on Friday, but the enemy was not located, so on Saturday the whole force fell back on Kaitaia where some shooting practice was earned on, The company was then dismissed, the officers encouraging the men to attend to their drill and make themselves as efficient as possible. The camp was in charge of Lieutenant Shannon.

Mr. J. White of Okaihau, is at present in the district, looking up old haunts. He is staying with his brothers, Messrs. F. andC. White.