UNDER CANVAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9016, 31 March 1888, Page 6

UNDER CANVAS.

VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT AT DEVONPORT.

There being no general Easter encampment of volunteers this year the Naval Artillery Brigade and the " A " Battery of Artillery determined to go into .camp for duty during the Easter holidays. The site selected is the rising ground at the back of Mount Victoria, adjoining the racecourse, in fact the steeplechase course, and the selection is an admirable one, the ground being dry and well drained on both side;'. The camp faces the racecourse, the guard tent and guns being in the rear, the centre of the front row being a large square tent (the officers'mess tent) nd the officers ten ts occupy the remainder of the row. CaptainCommandant Leßoy is in command, and Major Payne, of the N.Z. Artillery, is also in camp. The rents, in charge of a fatigue party, were forwarded on Thursday, and were erected in order that the ground which they covered might be kept dry, but they were struck at an early hour yesterday morning in order that they might be erected in proper form. The only staff officer present, besides the commandant so far is Captain and Adjutant Gerrard, of the Naval Artillery. Staff-Surgeon Tenlient, of the Artillery, sent in a letter asking for leave of absence 011 account of ill health, but, Dr. Parkinson had kindly consented to take up his duties in the camp. . At an early hour yesterday morning the " A" Battery assembled at the Drill-shed, under the command of Captain Geddes, and with two nine-pounder Armstrongs marched to the wharf, where they were joined by the Naval Artillery companies, the Auckland. the Waitemata, and the Ponsonby companies, and they proceeded to the North Shore by special steamer. They were joined on" landing by the Devonport Navals, and then •■nivhed to the camping ground. Camp was .inly pitched at the bugle sound, and the tents rose simultaneously. The Artillery, with five tents and an orderly room are on the right ; the Auckland Navals. three tents, next; then follow the Ponsonbv Navals, three tents ; the Waite- 1 mata Navals. three tents, and the Devonport Navals, three tents. The muster rolls are as follow "A" Battery Artillery, Major Payne, Captain Geddes. Lieutenant Allen, 48' all' told: Auckland Naval Artillery, Lieutenant Parker and 22 men ; Ponsonby Navals, Lieutenant Miller, Acting-Lieu-tenant Wheat ley and 26 men ; Waitemata Navals, Captain Hitehens, Lieutenants Keesinsr and Boyes, and '22 men ; Pe\ onport Navals, Lieutenant Dacre (ActingQuartermaster), Lieutenant Duder, and 20 men. After the camp was pitched a parade was called, and the rules of the camp were rea:l to the men, and then a somewhat interesting ceremony took place — namely, the presentation of'the Ponsonby company's champion belt to Seaman W right, the first winner of the trophy. The presentation was made in a suitable manner by CaptainCommandant- Leßoy, who explained that the belt was to be always the property of the company, that, the winner each year would hold possession of it for that jear, and that a clasp bearing his name would be attached to it. Seaman W right was warmly cheered by his comrades on receiving the trophy. ... After the parade was dismissed guards were mounted, and the men set to work to trench round the tents and make other necessary provisions, and dinner was then, served out. The catering for the Navals is carried out conjointly, that for the Artillery being separate. Suitable cooking apparatus has been erected, and the men seem to have made up their minds to make themselves as comfortable and happy as possible. There is no canteen, but outside the lines on the racecourse enclosure an enterprising vendor has erected ft stall for the sale of fruit, tea, coffee, and temperance drinks. In the camp itself, there is already indication of the usual merry spirit which prevails at encampments. For instance, in the Artillery lines we find one tent labelled " Government House ; Sir James Parslow s headquarters;" and a little further_on we find another tent named "Happy Valley." There are a large number of flags; and altogether, although the muster is small for an encampment, the scene is picturesque and striking. There was no special drill yesterday, only the ordinary mounting of guards, but active work will be commenced this morning. The Artillery, after a course of gundrill, will march to Cheltenham Beach with their two guns for shot and shell practice, and the > avals will go in for battalion drill and field movements.