THE REVIEW REVIEWED.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 376, 26 April 1879, Page 20

THE REVIEW REVIEWED.

(From the Auckland Herald.) The fact that -180 foot Volunteers residing at the Thames, and 133 Cavalry residing in the Waikato district, have been euabled to meet, fraternise, and acquit themselves as efficient soldiers at the recent review held at Hamilton is now a matter of history, not only proving what lias been accomplished under disadvantageous circumstances, but showing clearly what might be done if the occasion required. First of all, the fact that over GOO well-dis-ciplined troops did meet, and, for their excellent drill and discipline, elicited the praise of military and non-military men, is a proof that these Volunteers are efficient, while the distance travelled by flic bulk of the Volunteers, and the time occupied, shows also what may be done in the way of conveyance. That a certain number of troops can be massed iu any locality is a great achievement, and that they can speedily be brought to or removed therefrom ; but that is not all. It should no longer he left to the generosity of a small community to put themselves about for the lodging and sustenance of any body of Volunteers on public duty, but such appliauces should be at baud us would enable the Volun-

teer forces to move with greater facility, and to be in a position to camp out, irrespective of the accommodation to be found in small towns. That the Government should to some extent foster the efforts of Volunteers is acknowledged, but in order to render them efficient and ready for action whenever wanted, they should be provided with the necessities of camp life. Food at nearly all times can be easily procured, but besides arms, ammunition, food, and clcthing there is another requisite, tents for sleeping under. The officer commanding the Volunteers of the district has affirmed that the men are all that could be desired, with the exception of skirmishing drill, which is impossible to be obtained otherwise than by practical work. The Government would do well to support the zeal of the Volunteers by placiug within their reach as many tents as may be required. It must also be remembered that the 600 drilled men lately reviewed with marked satisfaction form only a portion of their respective companies, to which might be added the effective strength of the Auckland Volunteers. We trust the day is not distant when the Volunteers from each district will ho furnished with such means of transit and camp life as will justify the conclusion that at all times there are 1000 men ready for any emergency, with as many good men and true to remain at home, .there were but few natives to witness the review at Hamilton, but there is no doubt the subject of the gathering together of so many white men will be the theme of conversation throughout the King country, and that the moral thereof will be beneficial to both races.