VOLUNTEER NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3646, 24 January 1899, Page 2

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

THE CAMP AT NEWTOWN PARK,

Tim camp of instruction held by the Bifle Battalion at Newtown Park broke up on Saturday afternoon, camp being struck at 3 o’clock, and tho men marched back to town headed by the Garrison and Bugle Bands playing alternately. The march of the men into town attracted much attention, and large crowds of the 1 public followed them to the place of dismissal. In spite of the bad weather experienced, the camp was a complete success, excellent work was done, and the week’s sojourn under canvas will bo a pleasant remembrance to all who wore there. Tho work performed consisted of battalion drill, outpost duty, forming advance and rear guards, attack and defence, skirmishing, guard mounting and relieving sentries. The men were aroused by the reveille every morning at 4.30 and : were at drill at- 5. After -an hour’s instruction breakfast was served, and the men left camp to attend to their daily work; dinner was ready at 6.30 p.m., and the men wore on parade by 7,30, the instruction’’ lasting till 9 p.tai., guards mounted at 7.15 and sentries posted. Tattoo at 9.45, last post at 10.15, lights out at 10.30. Such was the daily routine of the camp, the result of which [has been the means of giving increased knowledge to the officers and men of their duties as soldiers. Many practical lessons were learnt, and no. time was lost in drillshod movements. The total number of men whowont through tho camp was 458, the average daily attendance being about 375. The now companies wore well represented throughout,: and it-was pleasing to coo-the friendly rivalry that existed between the Zealandia and Post and Telegraph Corps, who vied with each other to put the most men on parade, with the result that both corps had ox- '■ cellcnt musters throughout, in fact all corps except the. Guards kept up a good average. The attack on the camp came off on Saturday morning, and was not as anticipated made by an outside corps, but by one of tho corps in camp. At 3 o’clock the Zealandias, who wore selected for the purpose,, stole quietly out of camp and .took up their positions on tho hills surrounding. At 4 a.m. they opened a heavy, fire on the camp, , the alarm sounded, and within live minutes over 350 men were present undpr arms ’at the alarm post. Tho Guards, under Captain John Duthie,.woro the first out. The corps wore tola off to their posts .-to protect the camp. The Civil Service Rifles, on whom the rear defence devolved,' allowed tho attacking force to pass their right flank without seeing thorn. The close sounded and the men returned to camp, and were then engaged clearing up a-iid. preparing for striking camp in the afternoon. Tho behaviour of tho meu in tho camp on the whole was good. This, speaks well for the men themselves, and the tact and administration of discipline by the Commanding Office, Major Collins: Valuable services were rendered hi their respective duties by Captain Duthie as major. Lieutenant Harcourt as canip adjutant, .Lieutenant Henderson as quar{hr-mastor, and .Stalt-Scrgcant- Major Filin as: drill instructor and camp sergeant-major.