OUR VOLUNTEERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4277, 9 February 1901, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS

NAVAL ARTILLERY. The work at the Naval Artillery Camp at the Forts yesterday morning aiid evening was of a very practical nature. Immediately after arrival at Mahanga Bay in the evening, and before the usual hour for sounding tho “fall-in/' the alarm rvas blown by the buglers. Not the slightest indication had been given previously, so both officers and men are entitled to credit for the very smart w r ay that everyone immediately rushed up the hills to the various forts.

In nine and a half minutes Lieutenant Biss at Fort Gordon, and Lieutenant Cooper, scored a “dead heat,” by both reporting through their telephones to the commander that their guns were ready for action. The other forts were reported a minute later. Preparing for action consists of the men reaching their positions, examining the' guns, stores, etc., fitting gp and adjusting range-find-ers, testing all electrical apparatus, loading the guu and laying on to the Heads. It will bo seen, therefore, that the gunners are a smart lot of men. This morning the camp will break up, after firing the remaining rounds in the competition from the 6-inch and 8-ineh guns at Forts Gordon and Halswell. A welcome was accorded to Troopers Franklin and ‘ Glasgow at Turakina on Wednesday night to celebrate their homecoming from the seat of war. Mr E. C. Bruce welcomed the troopers back in the name of the townspeople, and a musical evening was then spent till ten o’clock, after which dancing was kept up until early morn. A similar welcome was extended to Trooper Qevely at Bunnythorpo on the same evening, there being an attendance of about eighty residents and five other members of the First Contingent as guests. Four residents of the town made speeches to tbe returned warrior, but amends were afterwards made by presenting with a watch and chain. _ ' The troopers of the Wairoa Mounted Eifles who returned to Feilding recent-1 ly from South Africa, where they had] | been serving with the First NewZea'andi Contingent, were presented by the towns: .people with gold medals emblematical of the patriotic action in widen the troopers have been engaged. The obverse side of tbe medal shows a roughrider in war apparel, and on the reverse

side is tho inscription “Presented to s for services rendered in South Africa, 1803-1900.” The medals are surmounted by representations of crossed ri fi •.. Two hundred and thirty-four of the Nelson garrison and baud arrived in Wellington by the Mapourika about 7 o’clock last evening, and immediately proceeded to Newtown Park via Jervois quay, tho band heading the procession and playing a lively march.Shortly before 11 p.m. a train arrived with forty-four men of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles, fifty of the Grsyto.vn Rifles and fortv-four of tho Palnatua .Mounted Rifles.*