EASTER MANÆUVRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10098, 6 April 1896, Page 6

EASTER MANÆUVRES.

SATURDAY'S TACTICS.

A LENGTHY DAY'S FIGHTING.

It was known on Friday night that an early start would be made 011 Saturday morning, and that in all probability there would be some rough tiring work, and in the Remuera camp the detendiug party made all necessary

preparations for moving out of camp by daylight. It was generally understood that the attacking forces under Major Pirie, who wei 9 baulked ou the previous day in their attempt tojcross the Tamaki, would renew the attempt to effect a lauding oil tho east bank of the river, aud endeavour to advance ou Orakei bridge, but how it was proposed to accomplish this was of course unknown to Captain Robertson or his forces, and it was necessary to prepare for a defence on all points. The reveille Bounded at 4 o'clock, breakfast was served at half-past four, and just as daylight broke the troops moved out through a thick dense fog which obscurod everything. The mounted men were Bent to the right flank from St, John's College along the Panmure road, to see whether any attempt had been made to repair the Panmure bridge, so as to effect a crossing but they found no one in occupation, and they patrolled between Panmure Bridge and Sandy Beach. The St. John's College Cadets moved out of their own camp in the College Grounds, early, and took up their appointed position as advanced outpost, to watch the mouth of the river, as boats might bo expected to cross there with the attacking forces. _ They were supported on the right by the King s College Cadets. One gun was fixed 011 a commanding position overlooking the mouth of the river, this being commanded'by Sergeant-Major Kearsley, while the second gun was on the St. Hellers Bay road, about 10!) yards from its junction with the Kohimarama road. The le A roll a Rifles, under Captain Cochrane, and the \ ictoria Rifles under Captain White, acted as reserves. There was a long wait before the commencement of hostilities, the St. Johns Cadets having been posted for about four hours in one position before the enemy came in sight. Meanwhile word came to the headquarters that tiie enemy's guns hail crossed the I'aumuro bridge, and were advancing up the road, and Captain Robertsou advanced a kud and sent two companies to intercept them, and the Mounted Infantry under Lieutenant Webster concentrated on the same point, but it turned out that there were 110 guns, only the horses, and the men in charge of them. These were promptly made prisoners, aud it was ascertained that the guns had been dismounted and placed on board the Government, launch Isabel, ami as the horses could not be taken by boat, they were sent round by the bridge. The noncommissioned officer in charge pleaded that he had a pass from Colonel Goring, but it was not in writing, and Lieutenant Webster refused to accept his word. After some delay, however, Colonel Coring came up, and on his assurance the gnu horses and the men 111 charge of them wore released. I lien the Victoria Rifles were withdrawn as the boats were expected at the mouth of the river, and Sergeant-Major Kearsley had his gun posted at the junction of Reuiuera Kuad with the Panmure Road, with instructions to sink the boats as soon as they came 111 range. He opened fire with shot when they rounded the point, and then followed up with shrapnel shells, but the launch with the boats in tow continued on towards the left bank of the river regardless of the firing, to which they did not reply. On approaching tho shore the cadet corps opened ou them , with a destructive rifle fire at 400 yards I which was reduced to 100 yards as the boats controlled to approach. In all upwards of 1 40 volleys were poured into the advancing boats from an unseen enemy who were firing from the cliff above them, and not a shot was fired in response. The boys were loudly cheered for their splendid conduct, and the opinion of the experts watching the event was that in actual war neither man nor boat could. have lived through these withering discharges of musketry even if the boats altogether escaped injury from the big gun. ' Having effected a landing the attacking force advanced aloug the hilly ground under such cover as they could secure towards the Bastion fort, and several engagements and skirmishes took place and both parties claimed special advantages, but they were unimportant in themselves. Tne attacking force did not pursue their march to the Oralcei Bridge, but went into camp at the Bastion. Captain White, with the Victorias, moved 011 to the Orakei bridge but saw no one there. There was no enemy in sight and lie fired a few volleys across the bridge to show that they were in possession of it, and the South Franklin Mounted Infantry, who had been sent to support them, .hearing the firing galloped to tlieir assistance, but fortunately their services were not required. After some further manoeuvring and reconnoitering, the action closed, and the troops returned to camp, which they reached . .at live o'clock after nearly 12 hours in the field iua hot sun, and moving for the most part over rough country. The whole of the troops worked well and cheerfully, and the conduct of tlio college boys was beyond all praise. LieutenantColonel Goring again officiated as umpire, and he had the assistance of Major Banks and Major Tonks. , During the afternoon His Excellency the Governor and Lady Glasgow, accompanied by Lady Augusta Boyle and Captain Preston, A.D.C., drove out to the Tamaki,and watched the light for some time with considerable interest, and Major Elliot, His Excellences private secretary, also rode out to the scene, aud keenly criticised the various movements. Men and horses were so tired that the camp on Saturday night was very quiet indeed, all except those 011 actual duty retiring to their tents shortly after satisfying their appetites with a hearty dinner, which the cooks had in readiness for them.

— I YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. CHURCH PARADK AND BAND PERFORMANCE. Breakfast was served up at the usual hour, and at nine o'clock the troops assembled for church parade, forming for the purpose a hollow square, of which the fourth side was formed by the band. The Rev. G. B. Monro, of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Reinuera, officiated, preaching an earnest and appropriate sermon from the text, "Put On the Whole Armour of God." A collection was taken up in aid of the Bruunertou relief fund, the amount collected being £1 18s BJd. After church the inspection of tents took place, and the first prize was awarded to the tent occupied by Sergeant-Major Dalton, of the South Franklin Mounted Infantry, the second being awarded to Sergeant Preston's tent, in the Victoria Rifles' lines. The tent of Corporal Morrin, of the King's College Rilles, was a picture of neatness, but in their anxiety to excel the boys did too much, for they removed the tent-bag and other appointments to their mess-tent, and these were of course missed by the inspecting officers; but although disqualified On this ground, a special prize was made up for the occupants of Corporal Morrin's tent. A large number of the public assembled at the Remuera camp, yesterday afternoon, attracted no doubt by tho charming weather, and amongst them was a very largo proportion of ladies. We also noticed His Honor Mr. Justico Conolly and Mrs. and Miss Conolly, Mr. W. Crowther, M.H.R., Major Banks, Major Tonks, and a number of ex-volunteer officers. The Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Hunter, played in beautiful style the following charming programme : —''Ora Pro Nobis,' 1 " Bohemian Girl," " Life Dreams Farewell," selections from " Louisa Miller," " Hours of Beauty," "Say au Re voir," and that beautiful selection of waltzes, " Flowers by the Wayside." Iu an interval between tho selections, Lieuten-ant-Adjutant Grant, the staff representative in camp, announced that a collection would be taken up in aid of the Brunnerton miners' relief fund. A number of the officers gave their services to go round amongst the crowd with the result that £6 Is IOJd was collected, and this with what was collected at the church parade makes a total of £8 Os 7d.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. What course of operations may bo pursued to-day we cannot say, but it is certain that the sharpest fighting will take place at Orakei bridge, across which it is understood the enemy will force a passage at all costs, with a view of marching on Auckland.