ANIGHT ALARM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1382, 25 May 1878, Page 10

ANIGHT ALARM.

At a meeting of Volunteer officers held after parade last week, it was reßolved that a night alarm should be given at an early date. In-) order to practically test the efficiency of "the various corps in the district. Saturday night was the time selected, and from the fact that the general public (appeared to be pretty well aware of what was going to happens we m »y assume that the Volunteers were in readiness to turn out when the signal was given.' The attacking parby consisted of the Dunedin and Port' Chalmers Naval Brigades. - Sixty men, of the Dunedin Brigade, under Captain Smith, turned out, and 40 of the ' Port Chalmers Brigade, under Captain , Goldif, Their work commenced at' about halfpast 2 o'clock: on Saturday afternoon, when they' wenfc to PelicVet Bay " to get their boats in order and get'everything in readiness for the attack, i Two. 24- ■ pounder houitzers, and two six-pounders were placed on the brig Tower Hill, one 24-pounder ; in the Harbour Board's steam launch Reynolds which had been lent for the purpose, and another 24-pounder on a punt near the end of the Rattray street jetty. When night came six boats were manned by the Naval Brigade men armed with carbines, and commanded by Lieutenants Grant and Taylor. Captain Goldie was placed in command of the men and guns on the brig, and Captain Smith took charge of the launch. Lieutenant Grant, also had command of the battery on the punt. The attacking party were supposed to make an attempt to land anywhere between Black Jacks Point and the Stuart street Jetty, s and when they commenced firing, at about ' half -past eleven o'clock, the Artillery and rifle, men who had mustered at the Drill-shed im? mediately started along George street and down Hanover street towards the water, Lieut. - Colonel Stavely and Major Waleß in command. Advancing at the " double," they Boon reached the shore of the harbour. One of the gun« belonging to the Dunedin Artillery was posted on the Stuart street Jetty with a detachment of men under Captain Hill Jack, and another ( gun and detachment on thePelichetßay Jetty under Lieut. Mujr. Tb.9 infantry wer* ex

tended along the shore between the two jetties, to prevent any attempt that might be made by, ' the" attacking party to effect a landing. The Nava*l Brigade finding the firing from the shore' too hot, at length retired, leaving the defending - forces victorious. The firing lasted for about 'an hour. The companies turned out well., lWe "understand that there is to be another, .alarm in a few days., but the exact time is to be kept & profound secret. The Bignal upon the ■next occasion will; we hear, be the ringing of the fire-bell.