EASTER MANOEUVRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13724, 14 April 1908, Page 6

EASTER MANOEUVRES.

LARGE MUSTER EXPECTED. PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. As the time for the Easter manoeuvres at Castor Oil Bay approaches, it becomes more and more evident that they will prove an unqualified success. This happy state of affairs has to'a very large extent been brought about by Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe, officer commanding the Auckland district, who has thrown himself into the work with such zeal that his enthusiasm has caught on with both officers; and men. The result is that whereas they have previously displayed much apathy they are now very enthusiastic for a successful issue. From all accounts, it appears that instead of a miserable force being at the disposal of the officer commanding he will now have no fewer than 800 or 900 men under his control. Of this force some 200 will be stationed at Forts Takapuna., Cautley, and Bastion, while of the rest more than half will be made up .of mounted infantry, whose presence will add greater interest to the work, and assist in its efficiency. The men will go into camp on Thursday evening, and the whole force will then muster at Castor Oil Bay, where the preliminary orders will be issued. The general idea is that an attacking force (blue) has landed at Brown's Bay, north of Takapuna, its object being to secure a position dominating the forte of Auckland, and that the defending force (red) has been mobilised concentrated at Castor Oil Bay, to meet the attacking party. LieutenantColonel J. R. Reed will be in charge of the Blue force and Major A. T. Kenrick will have control of the Red force. It has been decided that there shall be no | canteen at the camp, thereby upholding a precedent which was established nine years ago. Perhaps the predominant feature of the arrangements is t hat the services of the Ad-jutant-General to the New Zealand forces have been allotted. to the local volunteers. Colonel Tuson arrived from England a short time ago, and his experience should prove invaluable, both to the officers and the men. Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe met a number of officers on Friday evening, and discussed the situation with them. Further orders bearing on the matter may bo expected from him at any time.