THE SHAM FIGHT AT THE HEADS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1825, 12 November 1886, Page 17

THE SHAM FIGHT AT THE HEADS.

Early on Tuesday forenoon the town in the vicinity of the Garrison Hall and the wharves presented quite a military appearance. A large number of the city and suburban volunteers, together with several country corps from as far south as Balclutha, assembled and proceeded to embark on the steamers that were to convey them to the scene of the day's operations. Even the big dredge was pressed into the service, and steamed away from the cross wharf bristling with red coats shortly after half- past 9. The various excursion steamers were also crowded, the Union Company's Ohau carrying the ' greatest number of passengers. The Harllour Board's launch Reynolds, which left the wharf at hajf-past 9, had on board Colonel Whitmore (commandant of the New Zealand forces) Colonel Sargood (of Victoria}, Lieutenantcolonel Wales, Major Gordon/Captain Stronach (of the Dunedin Hussars), Surgeon Coqghtrey, and Inspector Moore (of the police force). The Kaik was reached about 11 o'clock, when it was found that a good number of the ) troops had already disembarked. Preparations -were- at once, commenced with the view of carrying out the sham fight, and the Kaik presented quite an animated appearance with the steamers and a host of small craft off shore, and the various companies of the attacking force marching away to take up their respective positions on the Peninsula. Lieutenant-colonel Wales was in command of the attacking force, and Major Goring hao command of the defepce. The enemy was supposed to have landed at Wycliffe Bay and marched in the direction of the South, fiead with the view of, taking possession of the fortifications there. The preliminary, arrangements took up a good, deal of time, but eventually about half-past I. Major Andrews brought up the No. 2 battalion, after a stiff march fiom the Kaik, to an eminence on the heights of the Peninsula, about a mile from the heads. His men having taken up an almost impregnable position, extended in two divisions and awaited developments. The first warning of the approach of a hostile force was received in the shape of a steady canonade from a battery of Armstrong guns under the command of Lieutenant Pioudfoot, who took up a position near the landing place at the Maorisettlement. A brisker fire was immediately afterwards directed from the dredge No 222, a little further down the harbour. Major Goring had meanwhile given orders for the mancevuring of the No. 2 batallion which formed his first line of defence, the men availing themselves to a great extent of the natural bush as a means of cover. Not long after this position was taken up the Ordnance battalion, which_fprmed the right wing of the enemies forces, was seen advancing under Captain Smith from the coast line to the southward, whileithe left wing, composed of the rifle corps under command of Major Reeves, got within range from the harbour side of the Peninsula. This advance was covered 'by the Armstrong guns at the Kaik and the other guns on board the dredge. The enemy were allowed to approach within easy distance, and when about 500 yards distance from the eminence occupied by Major Goring the order to commence firing was given. A brisk peppering was kept up between the two forces for some little time till the first line of the defence retreated, when the firing was taken up. by the remainder of the battalion which had been held in reserve. The enemy, however, were not to be denied, foradvanciiißatthe double they once more compelled Major Gorjng's forces to fall back. A brisk fire was maintained at intervals for half an hour — the defence party, composed mainly of the countrycorps, meanwhile retiring in the direction of the fortifications. Some of the country corps did notapppar to advantage in the retreating movements, but Major Gorjng by tareful supervision managed to keep his forces in decent order. When nearing the South Head a detachment of the High School Cadets who had been supplied with carbines belonging to the Permanent Artillery were •ailed into requisition, but the retreat still continued. Commandant Goldie had meanwhile brought the dredge down stream with the view of bringing hjs guns to bear on the fort, but the Permanent Artillery, who were very smart in handling their big guns, replied to his challenge with a will. The defence party also brought the torpedo boat iuto play. Notwithstanding all this, however, the second battalion had to retire under shelter of the heavy artillery at the fort, which now opened a withering fire upon the enemy as they came into view on the crest of a hill overlooking the fort. This manrauvre must have put fresh coursge into the hearts of the defeirdi»g riflemen, for thay quickly, rallied, »n<3

firing briskly and cheering lustily they commenced to beat back their opponents. - The scene at this stage of the contest was a very effective one. The continuous rattle of the musketry, combined with the roar of the heavy artillery at . the fort and the firing from the field pieces of the 6 Battery, was as realistic as miiuic warfare could very well be. Just at this stage -the rain came down rather heavily,- and the battle being at an end the volunteers were drawn up in- review order before the inspecting officer. Colonel Whitmore briefly addressed the men, stating that he was pleased to see so good .a turn-out and such a large amount of enthusiasm displayed among the various corps. He afterwards complimented the High School Cadets on their appearance, and promised that before another year was over they should be supplied with new carbines, which were now on the way out. The men were then dismissed, and the various companies pro ceeded to re-embark in the steamers which had conveyed them from town. Some really hard work was done during the day by most of the corps, the marching being very severe owing to the rough character of the country traversed. The only fault to be found with the proceedings was that the operations were made to extend over too large an area, in consequence of which the attacking party must have found it difficult to keep up a thorough system of communication. The Engineers did what signalling was required, and a number of the High School Cadets, who had been instructed by Surgeon Coughtrey and Captain Morrison, acted as an ambulance corps. Inspector Moore had a posse of police on the ground, but their services were not much required. The parade state of the Ordnance battahon, which has been supplied to us, is as follows : — Duaedln Navels: I captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 sergeant-major, 4 sergeants. 57 gunners ; total. 67. port JSavals: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 sergeantmttjor. 4 sergeants, 4i gunners ; tutal, 49. Peninsula Kavai6: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 sergeant -major, 4 sergeants, 49 gunners ; total, f>7. B Battery : 1 captain. 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeantmo jor. 4 sergeants, 46 gunners ; to'al, 53. L B-ittery: l captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 sergeantmajor, 3 sergeants, 31 gunners ; total, 44. fcngineers : 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 sergeantmajor, 4 sergeants, 47 gunners ; total, SR. VOLUNTEER REVIEW AT TIMARU. Timabu, November 9. The local volunteers celebrated the Prince of Wales' Birthday by the time-honoured field day and sham fight. Tho scene of action was located around the village of Wai-iti, about three miles .from town. The place was early in the morning occupied by the Timaru N avals and C Battery of Artillery, under command of Major Hammersley, who placed two howitzers in a position to open fire on the enemy from any quarter. The i rest of the men had in the meantime been thrown out in skirmishing order, and placed themselves under shelter of fences, plantations, &c. Very soon the signalling party signalled the approach of tho advance giard of the enemy, composed of the Timaru and Geraldine rifles and Timaru cadets, under command, of Major Newall, district adjutant. The main body of the opposing force having come into sight, one of the howitzers opened fire, and in" a few minutes the sharp firing of the skirmishers was [ heard. Major Hammersley's men then retired and took up a firm stand close to the howitzers, from which position the opposing force were unable to dislodge them. The fight waxed very hot for some time, and it was only after repeated charges by the enemy that they were driven back beaten from the defenders' guns. The action was very well carried out on both sides, and it proved a most enjoyable outing for the men. The weather being beautiful a large number of townspeople turned out to see the fight.