THE EASTER ENCAMPMEENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 19

THE EASTER ENCAMPMEENT.

I ' Saturday, April 9. Perfect weath?r prevailed for fch9 volunteer ; encampment at Tabuua Park yesterday, j Although the men were out on the hills o? j the Psoinsol*. during the greater pait of the j day, a good mnuy people from the city found I their way to rV;« camp, and not a fow waited ' for the return of fehe corps, who got back somewhat footsore about 6 o'clock in the evening. The camp consists of 143 tents, affording shelter for some 600 rneu. There is also a | marquee erected, while the permanent buildj ings on bhß ground are being utilised a3 brigade i offices, officers' mess and Fergeants' mesa. The 1 catering is under the supervision of Mr Auld. i yesterday morning the reveille was sounded at 530 and guard-niovmting •was at 630 a.m. and- at 6.30 p.m. At 6.45 a.m. the men paraded, and there was an hour's drill under the various officers. Tha Eugiueera, Ibe Port Navala, and the Dunedin Navals, it might be mentioned, proceeded to Taiaroa Heads early yesterday morning. The Engineers ! Trent down ia the launch Gordon, and the Porli and Duaediu Narals were towed down in their respective launches. These corps and the whole of the available permanent forces were under the command of Captain Morrison. According to the programme tbe Engineer* were specially detailed for field work en the high ground to the south of T*iaroa Heads for ths protection oi' the batteries from an attack from the rear. The torpedo boat and the Gordon were ordered fco be ready at »11 times for work if theit servicas were required. Reverting to the volunteers at the Tahuna Park encampment-, at 11 o'clock a general ps.rade was held preparatory to the men being i despatched to the adjoining heights on the j Peninsula.

OUTPOST DUTY, ETC.

The more serious and trying work of the day comprised cutpost dufy and reconnoitring on the Peninsula — the ground that probably would be occupied in the event of actual hostilities.

At 31 o'clock in the morning the Ofcago Hu^sass and Mounted Rifles, under Captain Robin, moved out and reconnoitred tha Peninsula as far as Portobello, taking in every cross road, every pass, aud every place that could serve as ambush for any considerable body of men. Reports were sent back from time to time, frequent comumuicatioa being maintained, between Captain Robin's party and the main body. Ou reaching Porkobello the mounted, men took up a line of oubposta right across the Peninsula.

The main body moved out fsom the encsmpment at 11.30 a.m. and proceeded by both roads, No. 1 battalion, under Captain Smith, going by the Tomahawk road, and No. 2 battalion, under Major Headland, by the main Peninsula road. The battalions met near the schoolhouße at Highcliff, and were followed by the B Battery in reserve. On arrival afc Highcliff No. 1 battalion took up a line of outposts, the left resting on the main road and the right towards Seal Point Bay. No. 2 battalion had farther to go, and therefore were not obliged to take up the position, but, proceeding a litble further thxn the left of No. 1 battalion, were shown the position they would have taken up had time permitted Had they been required to actually occupy the position they could nob have returned to camp before a very inconveniently late hour — that is, after 10 o'clock at night, — and as the day was very hot their duty wos sufficiently severe.

As the counbry js impracticable for guns, and there was nothing that could be done with them, the batteries simply took up positions covering various points at distances of from one to two miles. On such country,, however, very little real assistance to the defence could have been f?ivo.n by the guns.

At 3.30 p.m. tbe return march commenced, and the mounted men and battalions reached LlKj camp between 5.15 and 5.4-5 p.m., and being diiirnissed, quickly made their way to thfcir fcetitH, quito ready for the evening meal.

Oolonol Wwiih, addressing the man on their return, said : "I am very pleased to sea the way you havo marched in. Of course you are not uaed to this sort of work, and most of you must havo got vory aore feet, but the w*y in which you have marched is very creditable to you, and the work done this afternoon is very satisfactory. To you it may only seem to bs marching up hills and back again; but it means a great deal Aio.ofhan that. It has shown you the country, has g'.ven you experience of the very work you would hive to do in action, and is very different from the glOit q£ worfc tbat can fee #o)}s \u h grill J}iyll.

Major Headland also complimented the men en the work they had done, and upon their conduct throughout the march. Ib miy be menfciened that a number of citizens vis'ted the camp and its vicinity, and were much pleased with ibs neat, soldierly, and picturesque appearance. The ssntry duty h done with zegularity and elegance, and the men seem to have dropped into regulation camp life and to have adapted themselves to it very readily. The men are cheerful and goodhumoured, with something of Mark Tapley's spirit, but; complaints are not wanting regardiug the meals, which not a few contrast unfavourably with the provision made for them on & former occasion.

The particulars regarding the men at present in camp at Tabuoa Park are as follows :—: —

Staff : Colonel Webb (in command), Major Smail], Lieut. Biatch, Lieut. Robinson, Captain Smith (Dunedin City Guards, commanding No. 1 battalion), Major Headland (commanding N.O D., in command of No. 2 battalion), Captain Milne (camp adjutant), Lieut. M'lndoe (quarter-m*ater), Sdrgeantmajjr Towler (camp sergeant-major), Sergeantmajor M'Pharson, Oamaru (brigade clerk), Sergeant-major Kibblewhite (battalion ser-geant-major), Dr Coughtrey, P.M.0., and Dr Fulton, M.O.

Obago Hussars. — Captain Robin (in command), Lieutenants Stronach, Morris, and Price, 1 pergeatit-major, 2 sergeants, 1 trumpeter, and 22 rank and file— 3o. North Otago Mounted R fles. — Captain Nicholas, Lieutenants Giliie3 and IVl'Donald, 2 sergeant", 1 trumpeter, 15 rack and file — 21.

Southland Mounted Riflea. — Captain Hawkins, 1 sergeant-major, 2 sergeants, 1 trumpeter,, 28 rank and file — 53. B Battery (Dunedin; — 1 sergeanl-imjor, 4 sergeants, 1 trumpeter, 35 rauk and file — 41. G Battery (lavercargill). — Lieulenacfca HsII and Hannah, 3 sergeants, 21 ratik and file — 26. Dunedin Garrison Band. — Bandmaster George, 1 sei'geant, 17 rank and file — 19. Invercargill Garrison Band. — Lieutensn!; Siddall, 2 aergeants, 19 rank and fi'e — 22. SOUTH OTAGO DISTRICT. Dunedin City Guards. — Lieutenants C*-aw-ford and Jack, 4- aargeants, 1 bugler, and 30 r&uk and file— 33. Bruce Rifl.s. — Captain Stewart, 4- sergeants, 1 bugler, 11 rank and file-- 17. Eitsfc Taieri Rifles. — 5 rank and file — 5. North Dunedin Rifles. — Captain Myers, Lieutenants Johnston and Stanley, 5 sergeants, 1 bugler, 45 rank and file — 54-. Highland RifliM. — Captain S!;oneham, Lieutenant Dem peter, 5 ssrgeants, 1 bugler, 28 rank and fi'.e — 36. Kailangata, Rifles. — Lieutenant JK'Laren, 1 srrgeaut, 12 rauk and file — 14-. NORTH OTAGO DISTRICT. Queen's Rifles (Oamaru). — Captain Forrester, Lieutenant Lee, 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, 24- rank and file— 29. Oimaru Rifles. — Captain Maban, Lieutenants Cork aad Scjou, 1 jergeanb, 1 bugler, 28 rank aud file— 33. Naseby Rifle*. — Captain Hosie, Lieutenants M'Lennan and White, 3 sergeante, 1 bugler, 33 rank and file — 40. SOUTHLAND DISTRICT. Bloff Navala.— -5 firßt-ciass petty-officers, 1 bugler, 21 rank and file— 27. Invercargill City Guard*. — Captain M'K%y, 2" lieutenants, 1 sergeant, 39 rank and file — 43. Goro Rifles. — Captain Boyne, 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 15 rank and file — 19. The programme for the day has already been published. The Hussars and a company of riflss, representing skeleton enemy, occupy the country between Hooper's Inlet and Portobello, while the rest of the corps take up position* at the most favourable points. Monday, April 11. The volunteers encamped at Tahuna Park are doing a good deal of very useful mork, and, antil Saturday evening, under favourable conditions. It seemed as though for once the men were to discover what tent life is like in fice weather, but on Sunday rooming the weavher changed very much for the worse. All day there was % cold drizz'ing rain, and there could have been for the men only the small consolation that it was net blowing, and that the rain was nothing like &8 bad as it was at the time of the combined cavalry camp in October last. Notwithstanding the unfavourable stats of the weather, there were numerous visitors to the camp on Sunday, and all were cordially ■welcomed and entertained. An improvement that was needed ha« been made in the rations ; the cooking is belter, and the food ia distributed in x much more systematic manner than was practicable when the men ficafe reached the camp.

As already intimated, the men have been allowed to lose time that could be profitably occupied in obtaining the valuable experience that results from camp life and field work. At 10 o'clock on Saturday morning the North Obago and Southland Mounted Rifles moved out under Captain Rjbin, as a skeleton enemy, supposed to hare made a landing, one body at Sandfiy Bay and the other at Hooper's Inlet, Half an hour afterwards two battalions left the camp, the ficsfc battalion under Capfcaia Smith and the second under Major Headland. Captain's Smith's force went by the Tomahawk road, and Major Headland's by the Main Peninsula road. The first bittalion, haviog advanced a short distance along the Tomahawk road, came in contact with a strong party of the enemy, represented by the North Otago Mounted Rifle 3. The North Dunedin Rifles, who were detached by Captain Smith to outflank this party, discovered them dismounted, and fired four volleys into them before the enemy realised tha position, when they mounted and retired. Ciptain Smith* party continuing met another section of the enemy at the farther Tomahawk valley, and here, after exchanging shots, tbe ensmy also retired. The battalion continued its march until it arrived ab the rear of _ Highcliff, Captain Smith throwing scouts forward, which enabled him to advance his column in security.

Tha second battalion, undor Major Headland, proceeded along the Upper Peninsula road, and naet the enemy aboub two miles to the west of Highcliff, near Cadzow's ateading, where the column was fired upon by what tamed out to be a small section of the enemy's force. This, howftvar, had ths effecfc of delaying Major Headland's advance for a considerable time, as scouts had to be sent forward to ascertain the enemy's position. Both sides ceased hostilities for half an hour, and on resumiag Major Headland advanced, and found the euemy in a very strong position, lining the outskirts of a wood. The position was so strong that time and reinforcements would be required to effect a dislodgemenfc of the euemy. Subsequently Captain Smith's battalion came up, and this prevented an advance, which the battalion had been only strong enough to hold temporarily in check, pending the arrival of the other force. Even with the united force it was, however, realised that the position was so strong that all that could be done was to prevent an advance.

The artillery went, out independent]} , aud had •' ivugiiig" al Lawyer's Head, andiothe afleiuoon, -ater drilling in the younds, the/ went to Sh. Olair for further range work. Ail t,Ue trooDa retjuvup.d hy '1.30 p.ity

At the camp at Tahnna Park on Sunday there was church parade at 9.30, when Divine .service was conducted by -the Rev. CurzonSiggers, and during the day the mounted officers rzconnoitred the ground which is to be the scene of operations 1.0-day — the land in the vicinity of Green Island, between the railway and the sea. Should the weather prove decent it is expected that a gcod deal of interesting and instructive work will be done by the volunteers, and that a fair portion of it will be of interest from a spectacular point of view.

The volunteers in camp at Taiaroa Heads were visited on Sunday by Colonel Webb, who, proceeding to Port in the 9.30 a.m. train, was conveyed the rest of the journey in the torpedo boat. The corps under canvas are the Dunedin Navals (40), Port Caalmers Navals (30), and Engineers (55), who, together with the Permanent Artillery (21), make a total of 146 taking part; in the encampment. Gloriou3 weather was experienced up till" an early kour yesterday raorning when a fairly persistent downpour of jraia set in, aud albhough this resolved itself during tbe day into a slight drizzle, the atmosphere throughout the whole of yesterday was pretty raw. However, the tents are pitched in a sheltered spot, and they have proved capital quarters for the men. They are neatly pitched in three rows, and on the north side the officers' marquee is situated. The corps have been anything but idle since they have gone.nndei: canvas. On Saturday the Navals ra&nned the batteries and practised laying, range-finding, &c. The Engineers were euiployed selecting permanent signalling stations on the Peninsula and at Mihiwaka and tracing out a field work oa the heights behind the battery, having chosen a v^ry strong position. Yesterday the 7in, 6in, 64-pounder, and the Nordenfek.t g-ans vere manned for action, and a Hongkong target was. towed oat to sea by tho lorpedo boat and the Government steam launch Gordju. A Hongkong varget consists of two light framework structures built upon two runners which are «et 200fii apart. This, representing a war vessel, was towed a'ong at a good speed, and followed a course which would be taken by a warship endeavouring to enter *ihe heads. The moment it came into range the 6in and 7in guns opened fitf, and soms remarkably ticcnrate shooting tnsued, the shot be'rug landed oneaf ter another be", ween the t??o terminal superstructures. As ifc entered tbe heads it was F.ubjected io a concentrated fire from the 7in disappearing gun and the 64-pounder, while fehe Nordeufeldfc played upon it with deadly effect as ib passed up the channel. Altogether the spectacle would convey the idea, to a lay caind nt any rate, that the Taiaroa Heads would oe the very list place a foreign invader would choose to effect a landing. The Engineers kept up telegraphic communication between the batteries, while a signalling squad proved most useful for conveying orders to the torpedo boat when tbe tow rope of the Horgkong target parted during the engagement. Tuesday, April 12. For 1b.3 last day of the Easier eueampnieat there was excellent weather, .bright and clear and cool, without being cold. The camp was a scene of orderly activity in the morning and late ia the afternoon ; during the rafct o! tho day, but for sentinels, ib was deserted. A great deal of public interest was displayed in the manoeuvres. . Many young people and some older ones followed the troops to the scene of active operations, and the traffic by tram and cab from the city to tho camp during the afternoon and evening was very considerable. The neatness of the camp and. the behaviour of the men were subjects for .favourable comment, aud the impression created was that the volunteers encamped at Tahuua Park would form the nucleus of. an effective defence foree — for, ia case of need, their ranks would rapidly fill up from men who aca already partially drilled.

Ab 5.30 a.m. the reveille was sounded, and the camp was soon aetir. The war news published in the Times was received with enthusiasm by officers and men and formed the topic of animated conversation. Breakfast was served ab-7 3D a.m. The North Obago Mounted Rifles and tho Southland Mouuted Rifles paraded at 8 30. And the other companies at 9 o'clock.

After an early breakfast the artillery moved off, with 25 rounds per gun, and took up a position at Lookout Point, sending two of the guns on to a poiut vi the Green Island Bush commanding the Eaikorti Stream and bridge, the road to Brighton, and all the country in that direction.

The North Ofcsgo Mounted Rifles and the Southland Mounted Rifles — the whole under the command of Captain Hawkins, of the Southland Mounted R ; fles — were sent out as » pkeleton enemy, supposed to have landed at Brighton. They were not to advance beyond the Kaikorai Stream until 11.30, when they wer-3 to act, not as a fighting force, but simply to ahow the positions that would bs takan up by an enemy.

At 9 o'clock the rifle batbilioas moved off, preceded by the Obago Hussars as a screen, and having advanced to the country overlooking the Kaikorai Valley, they took up a line of outposts. Some time after arrival, at aboub 11 30, it was seen that the enemy had already .crossed the Kaikorai bridge, and, mistaking orders, had advanced wiih great rapidiby, which was not in accordance with the rule * assigned — that of a skeleton enemy landed from boats. Instead of acting as aa enemy under such conditions mu3t have done, the force had advanced quickly and had brought tha whole of the force, apparently, to bear on the left flunk of the defenders' position. The guns opeued ou them, followed by the rifle fire ; the left flank' waa rapidly reinforced, and the enemy, had they been a real enemy, would have been speedily annihilated ; for they had got into the very worst tactical position possible — viz., between the whole of the defending force and the sea, with cliff* upon their flauk and rear, so that escape was impossible. The firing continued without; any definite result for some time ; but the object of the manceuvra was spoilt, inasmuch as a large portion ot the defending force had no opportunity of coming into action at all. As the whole attack was delivered on the left of the defending force, the troops on the right had no opportunity of coming into action, and the force returned to camp at 2.30 p.m.

Dinner was served afc once, and subsequently during the afternoon the men were paraded for battalion drill for the examination of Major Beal. The Ofcago Hussars also turned out for the examination of a cavalry officer from Oamaru. Bsfore 6 o'clock the baggage was packed and the tenta struck, and the men marched out of the ground. On dispersing at the Garrison Hall the battalions exchanged nearby cheers. The volunteers from * distance were entrained in the evening, and leffc for their respective desbinat'ons. The epcamuraent all through may be regarded as being a highly successful one. The weather, happily, was on the whole of a pleasant character, and enabled the men to get afield for the fulfilment of that drill which they alone can get at an encaniptnenfc. Although there were some little discomforts the men went r/oout their duties in all cheerfulness, hut theva was ju«fc ono little incident which, for the lime beiug, marred the sereuity of affairs. It happened afc almost the close of the encampt(eQ§. Ju fcli9 eaokine uc of baggage and utensils

a quantity of surplus loaves of bread were dl«* covered, and a great many men seized these» and fixing them on the end of their baycneW held a mock parado. They marched round tha park singing "John Brown's knapsack," and wonnd up by heaving the loaves at one another; The commanding officer appearing upon tha scene at a late stage of the affair ordered the bugler to aound ths " Fall in," and when they were gathered- together Colonel Webb expressed himself as greatly displeased with the irregular conducb of the men. The flank men of each company were then ordered to fall oub and pick up the bread which had been scattered about;. This was done cheerfully, and thus finished the only unpleasant incident in connect tion with ths encampment. The commaiiding officer (Colonel Webb) ha» issued the following after order.— "Afc the close of the Eaater encampment of 1898 the commanding officer wishes to express-his satisfaction with the work done and his appreciation of the assistance lent by all ranks, without which the success of fehe camp would nob have baen attained. Good and useful work has beea done, and although, at the first there was some discomfort in camp and oub marching for men uuaccuotomed to ifc, an excellent spirit was displayed by officers and men, which enabled the general idea to bs carried oub euccsssfully. The camp duties have been well performed, and the behaviour in camp has, on the whole, been excellent. Colonel Webb thanks the staff for their assistance without mentioning names, »s vaen everyone worked so well distinctions would ba invidious."

The following telegram was received from Wellington by Lkubenmt-colonel Webb on hia return from Tahuna Park Camp last night:—

To the Officer Commanding the District, Dunedin.

I am instructed by the Minister for Defence ta express on behalf of the Government the pleasure it has been to hear of the patriotic spirit shown by volunteeis as evidenced by the enthusiastic manner in which they have responded to the calt for attendance at Easter Camp. Arthur P. Douglas, t/nder-secretary for Defence.