THE OAMARU VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7569, 21 May 1886, Page 1

THE OAMARU VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

Oamaru, April 24

There has probably never before been such a large gathering of holiday-makers in Oamaru as there is at the present time, and never hefore in the history of che colony has so large a number of volunteers been brought together for an Easter encampment. The total number of volunteers in camp, including officers and bauds, is about 2500, aud as near as can be ascertained the numbers of the various corps are as follow:—

South Caxtekhuuv Urigadis.—Timaru Naval Artillery, 54; C Battery Artillery, 51; Timaru Hifles, B0; Temuka Hiiles, '37; Ashburton Ilifles, 40; Ucraldine Itifles, 3S; Waimute Kifles, 25 ; Ashburtou Guards, 14 ; staff, 3 ;— total, 321. North Cantekuukv Brigade.—Naval Artillery 42; Artillery, 77; Engineers, 43; lliiles, 135; Band, o2;—total, 597.

First Battalion- Otago Hiflks.—Staff, 4 • Band •?, G,;,°'. ty Guards, 4(S; North Dunedin llifles, 40 '; Wakari ilnles, 42--; South Uunediu Kifles, 45; Highland nines, 63 ; Uaversliiim Hifles, 41; Irish Kifles 57;— total, 359.

Otago Coimm- Voluatjsehs.—Bruce Kifles IS Last Taieri, 33; South District, 19; Kaitangata

Southland Volu.ntekrs.—Total strength, 169 OnnNAXCE.&c. - J Battery (Oamaru), 46; Oamaru llifles, 51; Otepopo Ilifles, 36; Hampden Hifles 16M Battery (Queenstown), 21; L Battery (Port Chalmers), 30; Oamaru Band, 25; Oamaru Naval Artillery, 63; Bluff Navals, 41; Petone Navals, 35Lyttelton Navals, S3; Timaru Navals, 50; Duuedin Savals! Ml B Batto^T1 "' '" ' F ~l& Cavalry. — Southland Hussars, 22 - Dunedin Cavalry, 40; Canterbury Mounted Hifles, 24; Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, 49;-total, 135. Grand total, 2200.

THE NAVAL ATTACK.

lhe cami) on Saturday presented a very busy appearance; all was bustle in preparation for the great event of the - encampment— the naval attack. There was, however no confusion, and everything seemed well planned lhe Engineers and Naval Artillery corps paraded early in the morning, and having received 20 rounds of ammunition each they marched into town and boarded the various vessels as follows:—Dunedin Navals (Captain braitn) and Peninsula Navals (Captain White) s^s Plucky; Port Chalmers Navals (Captain Gqldie), s.s. Reynolds; Bluff Navals, s.s. Beautiful Star; Lyttelton Navals (Captain M'Lellan) s.s. Ohau; Timaru Navals (Captain Laing Meason) and Petone Navals (Lieutenant Davy) Hmemoa. Just before 11 o'clock the infantry paraded in drill order, and the artillery were also on parade, under instructions issued to Major Hammersley, the men having all previously buen supplied with 20 rounds of ammunition. The brigades then fell in in mass of column—No. 2 brigade in front—and inarched out ot the camp. As the long column wheeled from the racecourse paddock into the main road and marched towards Oamaru the sight was indeed a fine one; such a military spectacle having never before been witnessed in this island No one except the guards on duty was left in the camp. It was a sweltering hot morning, but the men seemed to enter into the spirit of the movement, and on the main road being gained the strains of "One more river" and "John Brown's body" mingled with the harmony of the brass bands and the shrill pipes of the Highlanders. A halt was sounded just outside Oamaru, and the men enjoyed a brief respite atter their brisk march. Water seemed to be in great demand, and it was an amusing si"ht to see the thirsty souls who were not fortunate enough to possess flasks rushing through the gates and fences to the water tanks of the neighbouring houses. Meanwhile the cavalry had paraded m drill order, and Colonel Whitmore was busy inspecting the progress of earthworks on shore. On the esplanade near the gasworks, and just fronting the beach, might have been seen a number of artillerymen and our local engineers working like Trojans at the earthworks for the protection of the batteries lhe excellent manner in which they did their work was remarked by a high authority, aud the only pity seemed to be that they were kept at it so long on such a warm clay. They had in position a battery of converted 64-pounders and long 24-pounder stationary guns, with four 24-pounder howitzers. While the operations in connection with this battery were progressing, the main column had once more got together, and just as the hour of noon was striking they marched into Oamaru with the various garrison bands playing marching tunes. The townspeople began to gather in large crowds in the main thoroughfares, and the concourse was greatly swelled by the large number of passengers who came by both the north and south trains; the 17 carriages in the express trom Dunedm were crowded with people, and two engines were required to convey the heaw tmn to Oamaru, three being used over the steep gradients of the Blueskin line. As the troops were entering the city, Admiral Scott's little fleet was seen steaming slowly out of the harbour to the southward ; the Hinemoa (the flagship) leading, followed by the s.s. Beautiful Star, Plucky, Ohau, and Reynolds, towing boats with as many riflemen as could be accommodated without hindrance to the rowers. After steaming about two miles to the south the Hawea ■m°m^ edul) was met and taken captive lhe fleet then returned, and at 1 o'clock was seen slowly rounding the south point in the direction of the harbour. Admiral Scott's demand for a large sum of money and provisions and coal having been refused by the warlike people of Oamaru, he threatened to bombard and pillage the town. The officers on shore however, conscious of their superior force, took little heed of his threat, and without the least hesitation or sign of fear they told him to do his worst. He at once proceeded to do it The squadron approached in fighting order-a flash and pufi of smoke appeared over the vessel's side, and the boom of the first cannon sounded over the waters, thus indicating that the battle ot Oamaru had commenced.

Colonel Whitmore, who had been watching these movements from the shore, had quietly set about the disposition of his men in order to meet the attack by damaging the fleet and completely annihilating any landing party that might attempt to get ashore. With this obi'ect in view the No. 1 brigade, under his personal command, was marched behind the railway station, and the other brigade, consisting of 530 infantry, with artillery and engineers under Lieutenant - colonel Stavely, took up a position near the batteries 'on the esplanade where the Howitzers almost immediately re sponded to the fire from the admiral's flagship Ihe flagship and vessels astern, after firm-- six rounds each, despatched their boats to force an entrance, covering them the while with a brisk hre. The artillery then came up at the double trom behind the railway station, and very quickly had three batteries, consisting of two Armstrong guns each, in position, the Dunedin men being particularly smart in their manoeuvring. By 2 o'clock the cannonading became pretty brisk; the Hotchkiss rapid-firing gun on the flagship dealt out destruction to the batteries on shore, but the Howitzers and Armstrongs replied with a steady fire. The infantry were meanwhile deploying along the shore keeping under cover as much as possible As the flotilla moved off the end of the breakwater the Armstrongs quickened their fire, the men who were working their guns splendidly now being supported by the riflemen, who had come round to the right flank. The scene at this sta*e was indeed a fine one, and, excepting in the absence of bloodshed, the mimic warfare must have been as like a real engagement as possible. From the heights above theharbour a splendid view of the whole proceedings was obtainable. The waters of the bay lapped lazily over the shelving beach undisturbed by wind or swell. Immediately in the foreground the Armstrong batteries were belching forth their fire and smoke, and all along the beach a thin columu of blue smoke denoted that the long lines of infantry were busy u-ith their small arms: while away on the left flank the dense smoke from the Howitzers curledfgracefully seaward. The hills on the right were dotted with thousands of spectators—a queer throng of rich and poor, old and young; while behind all, the white buildings of the town, relieved here and chere by a few trees and plantations on the hills, formed an appropriate background for the pic-

After some 20 minutes of pretty brisk work there was a brief lull in the firing from the fleet. The cause was not at first apparent but it appeared that one of the mines had not been exploded as arranged. This was owing to the wire connecting ifc with the batteries having been cut by one of the steamers in going out of harbour. Firing on the shore, however, was kept up with a briskness that indicated very smart work. The boats were not successfulm their endeavours to force an entrance under the heavy fire from the town but the vessels still replied, firing fast. The torpedo boat, which had previously done a preliminary canter in the basin, now steamed out from the end of the breakwater, and as she cut swiftly through the water the lines and speed of the trim little craft were greatly admired. She discharged a torpedo near the Reynolds (which had come into the harbour to support the boats) the water being sent high into the air. This manoeuvre was supposed to have disabled the Reynolds Things were now being made pretty warm for the fleet, for just at thip point the two guard boats were driven off by the troops on shore, and the other boats having been sorely peppered by jiho riflemen, also began to beat a hasty retreat. The large mine which had been placed under a dummy boat in the harbour was now blown up, and a cry of surprise escaped the lips of the onlookers as the little vessel disappeared in the vast column of water tint shot high up into the air for 200 ft or more and then fell in graceful showers back into the parent ocean One large large piece of wood was shot high up on the shoreward side of the column, and a long rope was seen coiling in snakehke form just above the apex of the column. When the waters had subsided there was not a vestige of the littletlummy craft to be seen, but the muddy waters marked for a considerable time the spot where the explosion had taken place. "While this was going on the torpedo hnnt was skimming out among the ileet, which now being much battered began to : etrcat ; and thus ended the first naval attack on the port of Oamnrii.

Altogether it was an unqualified success, and the officers and men must profit a good deal by this experience of Easter Saturday, ISS6. After the con test numbers of volunteers were seen limping about as if suffering great agony, and some: had their heads bandaged and their hands in slings; but this was all done in fun or for the purpose of getting a lift in the ambulance waggon, and so far as I can learn there has not been the slightest accident of any kind.

THE BAND CONTEST.

The band contest was held in the evening in the public hall, which was crowded to the doors. Bight hands had entered for the contest, viz,.: the Christchuroh Garrison, liivereargill Garrison, Oamaru Garrison, Timarn Garrison, Kai-

korai Volunteer, Addington Workshops, Stanmore, and Timaru City Band. All these bands, except the last-mentioned, had previously taken part m contests, though so far they had never met m one competition. The present contest was arranged on the plan generally adopted in England, the judge being confined in au adjacent room out of view of the competitors, and the bands all playing one piece of music, allotted to them some time before the contest. Herr toclierek, the judge, in making known his decision commented at some length on the individual periormances of each band. The award was as toUows :-Invereargill Garrison Band, 1 ; Oamaru Garrison Band, 2; Stanmore Band 3 Mr fecherek strongly commended the performance of the Timaru Garrison Band; he also expressed regret at the absence of the Dunedin Garrison Band.

Oamaru, Monday Evening. _ The Easter encampment may now be considered at an end, as most of the companies leave for home this evening. During the past few days the town of Oamaru has been a scene of bustle and activity. The hotels have all been crowded, aud visitors have had to put up with a good deal of inconvenience. Parlours, dining rooms, and even billiard rooms have been brought into requisition in order to provide sleeping accommodation for the great influx of holiday-makers. Large numbers of our citizen soldiers are noticeable every evening on the pavements, and give the place something the appearance of a garrison town: On Sunday the men were enjoying a well-earned rest after the hard work incidental to the naval attack, and all day long large numbers of uniformed men were going to and from the camp on foot and in all manner of conveyances. The men had all been served with 20 rounds of ammunition, which was to be expended in a sham fight on Monday in one ot the paddocks of the Ardgowan estate, near the reservoir, a little over a mile from the town Accordingly, after all the preliminaries had been arranged, the brigades were formed in column ot route, Canterbury leading; while the cavalry were early on parade to take up their position as pointed out by the officer commanding The jNaval Artillery, under Captain Goklie, formed the 3rd regiment of the Canterbury Brigade lhe Oamaru force proper was detached from the Canterbury Brigade, under Major Sumpter, and constituted the enemy. They were iurnished with two guns, detailed by Major Hammersley, under whose direction the artillery brigade, with a goodly numbers of field guns, were placed. Signallers trom the engineers corps were directed to follow the staff and the brigades, the remainder of the engineers being attached to the South Canterbury regiment. The plan of the fight was as lollows:—Major Sumpter, in command of the hostile force, was supposed to have advanced to capture the reservoir, with the view of depriving the town of water. The volunteers, on receiving news of his intention, marched out to meet him and a desperate battle ensued, with the result that his whole force were driven back and ultimately taken prisoners. Some very good movements were performed by the battalions, while the cavalry also did good work, and the batteries discharged their blank cartridge with commendable promptitude from an eminence on the left rear of the attacking force. Some of the majors were evidently not up to the movements aad at times there was a good deal of fogginess about the fight. Major Wales' battalion seemed to be better handled than any of tbe others. This engagement was not, however like the naval attack, destined to be a bloodless one; for, unfortunately, during the manceuvrings or the B Battery of Artillery (Dunedin) awheel trom one of the gun carriages came off, and falling on Corporal Bsquilant, inflicted rather severe injuries to his leg. Surgeon Coughtrey, of the Dunedin Cavalry, at once attended to the sufierer, and afterwards ordered his removal to the Oamaru Hospital. The iujuries were found to consist of a sprained and bruised kuee-ioint and a crushed foot.

On the completion of the sham fight the assembly was sounded, aud the brigades were once more on the march back to camp, where dinner was served at 1 p.m. Meanwhile large numbers of the public were also wending their way campward. The trains from north and south brought their quota of visitors, aud the Hawea made her appearance just before 1 o clock with a great crowd of excursionists from Dunediu; so that by the time the division paraded in review order at 3 o'clock there were 7000 or 8000 spectators on the racecourse. The march past was rather an imposing affair. Most of the Dunedin companies bore themselves well, and in comparison with the other corps acquitted themselves most creditably. First of all came the cavalry, the Canterbury Yeomanry, in their scarlet unitorms, leading. Immediately following was Captain Stronach with his Southern Hussars— a nne body of men, with a prettier uniform than their brethem from north of the Waitaki following close on the heels of the mounted mtantry came the ordinance companies The B Battery (Dunedin), with their Armstrong breaehloaders, a smart company of youue fellows, looked remarkably well. Among their number might have been seen one soldierlylODkmg young fellow wearing Tel-el-Kebir medals. Then came the naval artillery companies, the bluejackets of the Dunedin company marching past the saluting point in their well-known excellent style.. Following were the various rifle companies, engineers, and cadets, the City Guards company marching well, and the Highland Rifles receiving a round of applause for their fine appearance. The troops having been reviewed, the encampment might be considered at an end me commandant of the forces returned his best tnanks to the brigadiers and offlcers commanding the several brigades, batteries, and corps comprising the force assembled at Oamaru for the support given to him by them during the camp instruction. He was also anxious to convey to all officers and non-commissioned officers or the force his high appreciation of the exceedingly creditable manner in which they had performed the duties allotted to each. The camp ot instruction being the first on so large a scale ni"l. of course, brought much to the front for which smaller camps could not have furnished opportunities of instruction. He had observed with great pleasure, that the troops had, although without previous instruction, picked up what was his intention in the operations, and that they had in no instance tailed to do their part fairly well, while m most cases they had admirably succeeded in carrying them out. He wished to return his heartfelt thanks to Admiral bcott, Captain Hume, and the other officers of the staff, whose willing exertions had rendered the camp so successful. He also desired to thank all the volunteers for their maintenance of discipline and order, and in doing so he begged of them to continue to do as well until they reached their homes. That was most important. The good name of the force depended upon it, and one volunteer could, if he liked, disgrace the forceby larrikin rowdyism; and he trusted that those volunteers who had clone so well at Oamaru would enable him to report to the Governor that not one such man was to be found in their ranks. It was his pleasing duty to communicate to the troops a telegram that he had just received from the Premier It ran as follows:—« Wellington, 26th April. Hon. bir G. Whitmore, Oamaru. The Government is exceedingly gratified at the success of the encampment. Please return on behalf of Government thanks to officers and men for their attendance, and state our gratification at their success.—Robert Stout."

_ The following is the latest return supplied of the number of men in camp:—Naval artillery, 360; infantry, 1151; artillery, 282; engineers, \)i; staff-sergeants, 9; bauds, 97; total 1998 • cavalry, 137;— grand total, 2135. The departure of the troops commenced on Monday evening. At about 8 o'clock there was a great crush at the railway station, and whenever the trains were got ready the men scrambled into the carriages after the manner ot a mob of sheep. The open trucks were crowded to excess, and the men, after having been ou their legs from half-past 4 in the morning till dark, must have felt the midnight journey in these trucks very much. The railway authorities had a hard time of it, and, though the trains were sometimes late, deserve every credit for their exertions. The following are the names of the various bands and bandmasters who accompanied the volunteers in camp :

Cliristchurch Garrison Invercarciil Garrison

Mr Dorm Mr Siddall

Oamaru Garrison Timaru Garrison Addington Workshops Kaikorni Sfcanmore Timaru City... Dunediii Garrison Dunedin Navals Queenstown ... Port Chalmers Navals

MrPhelounc; Mr Sydney Wolff Mr Pooley Mr Stratton Mr D. M'Killop Mr Hobt. Woods Mr Wishart Mr Coombs Mr Frnser Mr M'Connell

The following vessels and navals took part in the naval demonstration :—

n n „ ~. ( Lyttelton Navals G.G.S. Hmemoa (nag) ... J Timaru NavMs (I'etone Navals _ Invercargill Navals Dimedin Navals Peninsula Navals Port Chalmers Navals

Beautiful Star ... Ohau ... Plucky '.'.'. Keyndlds Hawea (captured) Torpedo boat.

semblage, the Hons. P. A. Buckley and J. Martin, M.L.C's., Mr Cooper (under-secre-tary), and other gentlemen from Wellington were present. After the close Colonel Gorton, of the New Zealand Militia, at the request of Lieutenant-colonel Stapp, addressed the brigade, and summed up the movements of to-day in the sham fight. He gave the palm of victory to the attacking force: In the review he said the Wairoa Light Horse were best in the first march past, and the Alexandra cavalry aud Wairoa best in all movements. The Bulls Mounted Rifles were very good for the time they had been enrolled. With the movements of horse, foot, and artillery he was greatly surprised, as they were far better than he expected. He particularly mentioned the Naval Brigade and the Nelson Cadets. In a sword-bayonet competition this morning the Wellington City Rifles were the victors. The ball which takes place to-night promises to be a great success. The volunteers leave at midnight.