OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 22

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

THE OTAGO HU3SABS.

The Otago Husiars were inspected by Colonel Fox on Friday afternoon at the Ocean Beach. The inspection commenced at halfpast and lasted over two hour«, the operations, which were of a highly interesting character, being watched by a large number of spectators, many of whom had journeyed from town. The colonel was received with a general salute, the trumpets sounding a " flourish." After a peraonal inspection of the company had been made, the latter marched past by ilia, trotted past by troops, and galloped ptat by squadrons. After advancing in review order, the field movements took place. The company were put through a new drill, working in three troops, after which the successive movements were : Squadron columns, lines to front, advance of troops to the attack, volleys being fired on the flank, and subsequent rotirement from both flanks in extended skirmishing order in sections, with led horses brought on after the dismounted men. A. number of minor movements were alto executed. Colonel Fox, addressing Captain Eobin and the Hussars, expressed bis great pleasure at the general appearance of the troops. Everything so far as he had seen was- excellent, both horses and equipments. The drill waa very good, and the outpost work had been carried on with intelligence. The road sketches, &o. ware, also of a highly satisfactory nature, and it was with difficulty he had selected the most meritorious. He had nothing more to say, except that he had never met a volunteer corps in the colony displaying such a degree of allround excellence.

The cavalry tournament, whioh. is one of the most en joj able feature* of the annual encampment of the Otago Hussars, was held at Tahuna

Park on Saturday afternoon. The weather was) capital excepting for the prevalence of a somd* what high wind, and there was a large attend^ anoe, members of the fair sex rather pros dominating. The sports were of the usual character provided on such an oooasion, and some of toe events afforded a good deal of ftimsement. A special display by the troop, in the course of which a number of maBS. squadron, and extended movements were admirably executed, had a place on the programme, ana there was a very hearty round of applause when the corps was formed up at the close q£ I the display after a mazy movement in the forta of a circular ride, which was exceedingly effective. The Garrison Band, under Bandsergeant George, contributed * number of. agreeable selections during the afternoon, and the Industrial School Band was also present wi the ground and contributed several items. Colonel Fox, who was accompanied by Colonel Webb, was, it may be mentioned, among the spectators. The sports were carried out under the management of a committee consisting- oj Captain Robin, Lieutenants Price and Sietff wright, Sergeant-major Park, Sergeants Munre, Bbronach, and Morris, Corporal Mitchell, and Troopers Hazlett, k O. Reid, OrbelL and teary {hon. secretary). PORT CHAXMEBS KAVAL ARTILLERY. The Port Chalmers Naval Artillery Company were inspected in the Garrison Hall on Thursday evening by Colonel Fox, inspector of volunteers and military adviser to the Government. Lieut. -colonel Wtbb, command- ; ing the district, and Captain Morrison, of the Permanent Artillery, were also present. The parade state was as follows :— Captain Waters, Lieutenant Ross, 1 chief petty-officer, 5 firstolass petty-officers, 4 second-class, 2 buglers, and 50 gunners, making a total of 64. Some. 12 men were absent from parade, and this waa accouuted for by the pressure of work cm board the Unien Company's steamers. The men were exercised by the officers in company movements, and submarine mining and gunnery sections were formed for the special work in their respective branches. The submarine section was under the direction of Chief Pettyofficer Pacey, Torpedo Corps, and the three gunnery sections under Sei geant-major Parker. After a critical ext-miuation, both practical and theoretical, Colonel Fox expressed himself entirely satisfied with what he had seen and with the smart appearance and aptitude of the men. Since the amalgamation the company hay» been supplied with new uniforms and i brown leggings of the Royal Navy regulation ; pattern, so that they are now a perfectly equipppd and smart-looking body of men. They Lave aIBO been supplied with new rifles and sword bayonets, wLila the old carbines, which have beea in use for the last 20 years, have been returned into store. The members— one and all — are making strenuous efforts to render themselves proficient in their work, and are undoubtedly the making of a very imart company, while it is the intention of Captain Waters during the summer months to exercise them constaatly in the practice of boat drill and laying submarine mines, with an occasional turn of duty at the Taiaroa Heads batteries. All that is necessary is for the members to assist the officers, and from what we have seen the company will soon rank in this branch of oat defence force. DUNEDIN NAVAL ARTILLERY. The Dunedin Naval Artillery held a commanding officer's parade on Thursday evening, when there were 54- of all ranks present. After drill a meeting was held, and arrangements made to carry out the corps' annual fortnightly camp, which will be held this year (starting on Sunday next) at St. Clair Park, when both the St. Clair and Central batteries will be manned and 6in and 7in and 6-pounder Nordenfeldfe gun drill indulged in every day during the camp from 5 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. About 60 men intimated their intention Of being present. The Dunedin Navals commenced their fourth annual enoampment on Sunday evening at 6 o'clook. The site for the oamp this year has been chosen at St. Clair (the tents b«ißg pitched in St. Clair Park), instead of Tahuna Park, as formerly, and the reason for this io that one of the guns at the Central battery has been sent Home to be " chase-hooped," and the remaining 6in gun would therefore be insufficient to meet the requirements of the whole of the conpany. Three detachments, however, are being despatched to the Central battery daily, and other three detachments are working the SC. Clair guns. The latter' consist of a fin, two garrison guns, and two field Nordenfeldtf, Every morning the camp is astir at 4 o'clook, and the guns cleared for action by an hour later. Flag-signalling and rangefinding parties are formed, and an ambulance detachment will also receive practical instruction. Drill in the morning lasts only for an hour and a-quarter, as many of the men commence work early, and for the benefit of the latter a special oar leaves St. Clair at 7.15 a.m. In the evenings, however, drill it continued. About 60 men are in camp. The Naval Artillery have entered thoroughly into the spirit of their encampment, and already they display an aptitude in handling the big guns. Every morning at 5 o'clock the batteries are manned, and the several squads work the 6in and 7in guns and the garrison and field Nordenfeldts. So far the weather has been fine, and everything at the camp has settled down into the regularity and order of military discipline. On Saturday «.n effort will be made to clear the Central and St. Clair batteries for action, and the manoeuvres necasaary to repel a hostile cruiser if she appeared off the Ocean Beach will be gone through.

The Minister for Lands will advanea £BOfbr the Taieri Mouth village settlement road.

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