EASTER MANÆUVRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10099, 7 April 1896, Page 5

EASTER MANÆUVRES.

YESTERDAY'S MOVEMENTS.

THE ATTACK ON AUCKLAND.

The Easter manoeuvres of the Auckland Volunteers were continued and concluded yesterday under circumstances not quite so favourable for out-door movements as the preceding days, for heavy rain fell in the morning, and there were some disagreeable showers in the afternoon, but on the whole tho weather proved more favourable than the

[ morning promised. Hie previous day's fighting left the enemy, consisting of the three Naval companies and half the "A* Battery, with two guns, in camp at the Bastion fore, to which they had made their way after crossing the Tamaki. ihe defending forces-the South Franklin Mounted Infantrv, Victoria and Te Aroha Rifles, a half of the " A " Buttery with two guns, and the King's College Rifles—wero in the camp at Remuera, and the St. John's College cadets were in their own camp on the College grounds. It was known that the attacking force would attempt to force their way over the Orakei bridge to march on Auckland, and plans were laid accordingly. At 9 o'clock the troops marched out of camp and St. John's College cadets were detailed

'as an outpost to watch any approach of the onemy from St. John's, the Te Aroha rifles being sent out to support them while the remaining forces with the two guns marched 011 Or.ikei Bridge. The guns wore posted in strong positions for the defence of the bridge, and scouts were sent across to reconnoitre, hut finding the coast clear, the South Frankin men dismounted, and with the other corps skirmished towards the enemy's camp, the guns, as already stated, covering the bridge. The attacking force opened with their, two guns, when the defending forces came in sight, and the latter retiring,a brisk fire was maintained rouna Orakei. The defence of the bridge having been withdrawn, the Navala crossed under a heavy fire from the cadets. The Kings College Rifles were posted on -Mr. J. L. Wilson's grounds near the beach, and the Victoria Rilles near the head of the basin. When the main body of the Navals crossed they marched on the Orakei Road and made an attempt to junction with the other body, which came along the lower road, but a junction having been effected by the King's College Rilies and the Victorias, the enemy's main party retired to Reinuera Road. There was heavy firing at this point. The South franklin's, To Aroha's, and St. John's College Cadets kept this column in check while the other division advanced along the lower road, the King's College boys and the V ictorias covered by a gun firing and retreating under cover up through the steep incline and Ayr-street to the Mauuksti Road, from whence they fell back into the Domain near the site of the old redoubt. In the meantime the two forces of the attacking party-bad junctioned and marched in force from the direction of Newmarket, a well served gun under the command of Lieutenant Lipscombe opening a heavy fire of shrapnel on them from the clump of trees where the block house stood as they advanced along the road. Before this stage the Te Aroha Rifles narrowly escaped being cut off, ami they would undoubtedly have been captured had it not been for the timely aid rendered by the Mounted Infantry. Tho defendiug forces were compelled to retire to the hill adjoining the cricket ground, brisk firing being maintained as they retreated up the hill, and a gun played from their end on tho advancing forces, who did not attempt to advauce further. There was a very lino exhibition of attack and defence in the open during this part of the manoeuvres. "Cease firing" was sounded, and after a little time the defending forces joined tho attacking forces on the crown of the hill, and the day's proceedings wound lip with a march pott 111 quarter-column and 111 column, and the troops advanced and retired in review order. During the march past Colonel Goring called out, in commendation of their excellent marching, Well done, cadets," but recommended some of them to keep their eyes off the ground, I The troops were then formed into a hollow square, and they were addressed briefly by Colonel Coring. lie said: " Officers and men, I wish to address a few words to you before wo break up. I shall not now go into the matter of finding fault or giving praise. That will come in due season. _ But I heartily thank you volunteers for turning out as you have done. We have marched and fought over 14 miles of ground inch by inch—the ground over which an enemy might come—and we now know every inch of it and how to take advantage of our knowledge. You have done your work cheerfully and well, and I thank you; but the pity of it is that amongst a community of 50,000 people you could hardly muster 300 willing to turn out to protect or learn to protect your homes, your wives, and your children. That is the pity of it, but it is all the more credit to you who have turned out. The boys have Bet an excellent example, but I hope tho day will come when men will be forced to come out to learn how to protect their wives, their families, and their homes." There was a large muster of the public in the Domain, in the afternoon, and some difficulty was experienced in keeping the crowd back so as to leave room for the march past. ~ l , Ver >' e . v ' M°nsignore McDonald, Catholic chaplain of the forces, was present, lie was out with the headquarters at Orakei in the morning, but he obtained leave to visit the racecourse, where his services might he required. He was present at the accident in the hurdle race alluded to elsewhere, ami after rendering what assistance lie could, rode on to (he Domain where he was present at tho review and at the breakup of the Easter manoeuvres. The forces were then inarched off the grounds by Major Pirie to Manakau Road headed by the Garrison Baud. Here the South Franklin Mounted Infantry broke off to inarch to Reinuera in order to embark in the train for Pukekohe, and the College R lies also broke off to march to their respective headquarters, whilo the main body marched through Parneli and Auckland to the Drill Shed, where they were finally dismissed.

In the meantime the encampment had been struck, and everything made ready for transporting the material to store. Nothing could he better than the management and conduct of the camp under Captain Wilier, Quarter-master. There was not a single complaint from first to last, and the catering of Messrs. Nohlo and Johnson, and the cooking of the cooks employed by the individual companies gave every satisfaction. Altogether, although the encampment differed from previous ones, and the men and boys had a great amount of heavy field work it was the moat instructive that has yet been held in Auckland. [by TELEGRAPH.—press association.] Du.vkdin, Monday. Ihe Easter Volunteer Encampment was brought to a close to-day with a sham attack upon the city. The enemy was supposed to have landed at laieri mouth, and was attempting to make its way to Dunedin, when the volunteers were called out. The defending force was adjudged to have defeated the attempts of the attacking force. Although the weather has not been pleasant, the volunteers put in a lot of useful work.

, _ Nelson, Monday. The weather durine the holidays has been showery and unpleasant till to-day. The volunteers in camp at Stoke had their work interfered with, hut not stopped, and some very good work Ims been done. Tho camp was a line one. They were occupied with a sham fight, in which the West Coast Corps formed the defending force, and the signalling squad of the Grey Rifles were complimented by the Adjutant. This afternoon there was a review and inarch past. At the conclusion Colonel Pitt complimented the men on their general good conduct. The Marlborough and West Coast men proceed to their homes early iu the morning.