ARRIVAL OF MAJOR-GENERAL EDWARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9497, 16 October 1889, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF MAJOR-GENERAL EDWARDS.

Gunkkal Edwards, C.8., a distinguished Imperial officer, who is now visiting tho Australasian Colonies, for the purpose of t inspecting tho fortifications and defence I forces, arrived in Auckland yesterday afternoon, by the s.s. Hauroto, from Sydney. It was intended that he should be received by a guard of honour, composed of tho Auckland and Ponsonby Navals, and at livo minutes past 1 o'clock,as soon as the steamer was signi lied, three guns wore tired from tho Albert Park as a signal for the volunteers to assemble. There was, however, such a poor response to the call that the guard of honour was dispensed with. At 'A o'clock the Hauroto came alongside the outer tee of tho Queen-street Wharf, and the Hon. Mr. Fergus (Defence Minister), Colonel Hume, Lieut.-Colonel Shepherd, Major Douglas, and Capt.-Commandmonb Leßoy stepped on board, and received and welcomed General Edwards to New Zealand. Without unnecessary delay they stepped into bhe carriages in waiting, and left tho wharf, and drove to the Northern Club. Tho following are the war services of General Edwards, who has 37 years' service:— He served in bhe Crimea, and was employed in the demolition of the docks 6f Sebaetopol (medal and Turkish medal) ; served in India in 1857-59, and comniandod a company of lioyal Engineers in the campaign in Central India, under Sir Hugh Rose; present ab siege and storming of Chandaire ; commanded the ladder party ab last assault (mentioned in despatches. At siege and storming of Jhanei (directed the only two successful columns of assault). At actions of Bhaettah and Koonch (mentioned in despatches). In actions before Calpoe from the 15th bo the 21st, May, and action of Goolowlee on '22nd May, in which he supported with his company a portion of bhe '25th Bombay Native Infantry which had been driven back by overpowering numbers (specially mentioned in Sir Hugh Rose's despatches for " prompt resolution in charging most successfully the very superior force of the rebels, routing them with loss, and pursuing them bill out of reach "). Capture of Cal[>et), and action before the capture of Gwalior. Commanding engineer with Colonel Liddell's column in Bundelcund in August, September, and October ; and also with Colonel Meade's column in Central India in February, March, and April, IS.">9, chairing the jungles and in pursuit of Tan tin Topee (medal with clawp, brevet of major, and C.8.). Served in Soudan campaign of 1835 as colonel on tho staff commanding Royal Engineers, and w«* present ab engagement, of Hasheen and ab the destruction of Temai. Mentioned in despatches as " having commanded the Royal Engineers in a« exceptionally able manner," and for having rendered " unfailing assistance in carrying out the many engineering operations which had to boundertaken " (medal and a clasp, and Khedive's star). General Edwards was for some years Commandant of the School of Engineering ab Chatham, and is at the present, time commander of the forces ab Hongkong. His object during his visib to the colony is less to inspect bhe fortifications and harbour defences, which General Schaw, K.E., has already done, but to see the personnel of the volunteer corps, their organisation, and discipline. General Schaw has come up from Whangarei to ir.cet General lid wards, as he is an old acquaintance, and also to bo present at bhe inspection of the volunteer forces, &c, returning again to Whangarei in a fi)\v days. UKNKKATj JKDWAIIDS , MOVISMKNTS TO-DAY. At ten o'clock a.m. to-day General Edwards will proceed to the North Shore bo inspect the Permanent Artillory under Captain Morrison, and tho fortifications. It is probable that some rounds will bo fired from the guns of position. Tho Genoral will be accompanied by General Schaw, the Hon. Mr. ITergus, Colonel Humfrey, Lieutenant-Colonel Hume, Major Douglas, Mr. Bell (Engineer for Defence), and Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd (officer commanding fclic district). After lunoh it is contemplated to pay a visit to Whitney and Son's Cartridge Factory, Mount Eden. It will bo seen by district orders elsewhere that ab 4.30 o'clock this afternoon General Edwards will inspect the South Franklin Mounted Infantry in the Metropolitan Ground, ab rear of Government House. A general inspection parade of volunbeers ordered for General Edwards will be held in bho Drillshed ab 7.30 o'clock bhis evening. As bhis arrangement doee away wibh the necessity for a daylight parade and the consequent loss of timo to those who would desire to attend on such an occasion ab all hazards, we have no doubt every company and every member will combine bo make the parade a large and fully representative one. Besides the distinguished officer who is to inspect them there will also bo present: The Hon, Mr. Fergua, Colonel Humfrey, LieubonantColonel Hume, Major Douglas, etc., and Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, officer commanding district, will bo in command. General Edwards intended devoting a fortnight to his mission of inspecting and reporting upon the volunteer organisation and harbour defences of the colony, but the Hon. Mr. Fergus, feeling the importance of having a complete report from so high a militiwy authority, will endeavour to get the General to prolong his stay for at least) a month, in order to visit the various sections of the colony. It is undersbood, on his going South, that he will join Hie Excellency the Governor ab Wellington, and proceed wibh him bo bhe various centres of population in the Middle Island en route to Dunedin.