VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13524, 23 August 1907, Page 7

VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

FORT-MANNING PARADE AT

DEVONPORT

The fort-manning parade which vvas held bytlio Garrison Artillery" division'on Wednesday evening proved mo?t successful. Tho division proceeded to Devonport by tho 7.30 p.m. boat, where the No. 1 Company Garrison Artillery assumed control of Fort Bastion, while the Nos. 8 and 9 Companies took charge of North Head and South Battery and Fort Takapuna respectively.

The general idea of the parade was that a hostile, cruiser had been reported as steering southwards from Cape Maria Van Diemen, having eluded the squadron in these waters, and that an attempt would be made under cover of darkness to run past the defences and destroy the Calliope Dock and shipping, and take in coal. The forts were accordingly manned, as also was the Lady Roberts, which was to act as an armoured cruiser. Two steam launches from H.M.s. Encounter wenbrought into requisition as destroyers, and there was also a cutter from the warship present. The attack was to have two phasesfirst an attack by the destroyers, which was to be met from the quick-firing guns, and, secondly, an attack by the cruiser—to meet which all the available armaments were to be utilised. Blank ammunition was served out, and the engagement began about 8.30. Searchlights were used, and eventually the two destroyers were sighted by the men at Forts Bastion and Takapuna, and the guns were immediately brought to bear upon them. Tho destroyers returned the fire, but they were officially regarded as having been prevented iron: entering the harbour. Meanwhile the party in the cutter had done a sinnr: pice o work at Fort Bastion. The searchlight there is set low down on the beach, and a partj from the cutter had landed, and concealing themselves near by, had surprised and captured the man on duty before he hart time to get the searchlight going. The party entered the light room, and tljp leads of current to the light were cut off, thereby rendering the lamp useless. After the repulse of the destroyers, the armoured cruiser entered the arena. The searchlights wore again brought into action, and the Lady Roberts was sighted steaming ahead. All the available armament was brought into action, and the cruiser *vas repelled. Tho defending party was thereby successful in preventing the attacking cruiser and two destroyers from gaining their purpose, and the port of Auckland was "saved!"