THE HUSSARS IN CAMP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 28

THE HUSSARS IN CAMP.

ENCAMPMENT AT TAHUNA PARK, j JThe Otago Hussars wont into their annual JBncampment on Saturday afternoon. The lents wero .pitched at 5 o'clock, and everything speedily got into ship-shape order. Several important changes in the command fof the corps have been effected during the [/•ear through the formation of the mounted iregiment in Otago. Lieutenant Price is now |n command, and therefore is at present in command of the camp. Lieutenant-sergeant Allan has been promoted to the vacant lieuStenanoy, and Sergeant Pram takes the position filled by Sergeant-major Park, who has peen appoints lieutenant and quartermaster bf thp legiment. Major Robin, Lieutenant tend Quartermaster Park, and Quartermastersergeant Burnside are, it may be mentioned, bhe only three remaining members of the corps as it was first constituted when it was established over 16 years ago. The order of the day during the encampment will be: Reveille at 5 a.m. ; mounted drill, 5.45 ; squad drill during the day; mounted parade in the afternoon; lectures and instructions in the evening. Major Robin is in camp as instructor in the place of the Government instructor, Major Robin having received his orders a week ago from Wellington to act in that capaoity. Lieutenant Morris was the officer of the day for Monday. It may be mentioned that the new supply 'of tents, long promised and long looked for from the Government, do not seem to have yet arrrred. Two or three new tents are on the ground, but the remainder belong to that leaky, worn-out Class which gives volunteering a smack of campaigning under circumBtances not at all agreeable. The type of " mounts " this year seems to be superior to ,what has been seen at past encampments, and the corps generally presents a very smart appearance. As the staff of the newly-formed regiment has not yefc appeared, and as it has been finally decided upon, we print it herewith: — Major Robin, in command; second in command, Captain Hawkins (Invercargill) ; adjutant, Lieutenant Stronach ; quartermaster, Lieutenant Park; P.M.0., Surgeonmajor, Dr Coughtrey; Veterinary-major ■Snowball, veterinary officer; Sergeant-major, R. Gillies (Oamaru) ; and Trumpet-major, W. Rutherford. • It is expected that the whole regiment, numbering 200, will be in Dunedin at Easter .time. October 25. j The Hussars' camp at Tahuna Park stood the gale of Monday evening remarkably well, and although some discomforts were experienced the men bore themselves uncomplainingly. Yesterday a mounted parade was held at an early hour on the beach. Each troop .Was first exercised in sectional movements, including wheeling, etc. The squadron then being formed, the men were worked in cavalry drill, extension by sections, and smart advances by successive troops, concluding wilb -the formation of a service advance guard on the march back to the stables. After break' fast the morning was spent in exercises in dismounting squad work. In the afternoon the eports practice was engaged in, and at 5 o'clock the squadron paraded mounted, with rifles, for skirmishing and other cavalry work. The sight was an interesting one, and several per- i sons were present to witness the manoeuvres of the troops. The catering, which is being j done by Mr W. Wood, superintended by j !Mr Tracy, is satisfactory. ANNUAL INSPECTION OF HUSSARS. I The annual inspection of the Otago Hussars took place on Friday afternoon. Colonel Penton was unfortunately unable to come to jDunedin, as he had intended, the present disturbed European outlook doubtless rendering necessary his presence at headquarters. The inspection was conducted by Colonel Webb, commandant of the district, who was accompanied by Major Robin and Surgeon Lieute-nant-colonel De Lautour. Tho company 'paraded at 3.30 (mustering 53) in marching order, going on the fiold with haversacks, water bottles, ammunition, and great coats, the only thing left behind being packed valises. The manoeuvres comprised marching past in 'squadrons, ranking past in sections at a trot, ranking past in single files, and wheeling into line in review order. After that the squadron, tinder Captain Price, went through a series of field movements on a tactical scheme, emLracing most of the necessary duties -of an irregular mounted force. Lieutenant-adjutant Stronach. and Lieutenant Morris than exercised the squadron, after which Lieutenant 'Allen was put through his practical examination. I At the conclusion of the manoeuvres Colonel iWebb expressed himself as being highly satisfied at the way in which the troops acquitted themselves, and added that he was gratified to find that the company still maintained its high standard of excellence. He regretted that Colonel Penton was not able to be prefent to see the work done by this corps. j

HUSSARS' TOURNAMENT AND ENCAMPMENT.

The cavalry tournament in connection with annual training of the Otago Hussars was held at Tahuna Park on Saturday. The weather, unfortunately, was not at all favourable for the affair, a bitterly cold wind blowing during the greater part of the afternoon, while the rain also came on before the programme could be got through, necessitating a postponement of one of the events. Under the circumstances, a large attendance was hardly to be expected, but despite the wretched weather there wore over 1000 persons present, Lieutenant-colonel Webb being amongst the number. During the afternoon the squadron went through a number of military manoeuvres, which were watched with a considerable amount of interest. The Garrison and Industrial School Bands were also present, and played a number of selections at intervals. The details of the various events are as follow : — Cutting the Lemon (open to all members enrolled since June, 1897). — Trooper Ramsay 1, Trooper Kirkland 2, Trooper Ellis 3. The following also competed: — Troopers Applcgs-rfch, Johnstone, Shand, Helmoro, Allen, Currie, W. Thomson, J. B. Thomson, Richards, and Welljnan. Ramsay and Kirkland each made three jpoints, but the former did the work in belter style. Ellis and Currie ran olf for third place, when the former won on account of pace. ' Heads and Posts ; pursuing practice, cuts and points ; points made at rings 5m in diameter ; rings to be taken, and then dropped off sword. — Corporal Landels 1, Trooper Moreland 2, Trooper Orbell 3, Sergeant Freeman 4. The other competitors were: Sergeant-major Orbell, Sergeants Templeton and Hazletfc, Corporals Findlay and Muir, Troopers M'Kegg, Hazlett, Gourloy, Hastie, J. B. Thomson, Townsend, and Ellison. In tho first round Corporal Landels made 7 points — tho maximum number. Moreland, who was placed second, scored 3 points. Trooper Orbell, Sergeant "Freeman, and Corporal Findlay tied, and in the run off Orbell took third and Freeman fourth place. Night Alarm in Bivouac. Sections of four men. Horsey picketed at one end of park. Midway aro laid saddles, bridles, jackets, caps, kaUa, arms. etc.. and men lvine beside fcfaoia

with heads on saddles. Alarm sounds; men jump up, and either dress and carry gear to horse or bring horse to gear. Form section; No. 3 to mount; Nos. 1, 2, and 4, keeping one yard apart; double up to finishing point; kneol and fire a volley; No. 3 to bring up horses; after firing volley all mount; then each section to advance straight to its front. — Corporal Muir's section 1, Corporal Landels's section 2, Sergeant Freeman's section 3, Sergeant Hazlctt's section 4. Five other sections competed. Sergeant-major Orbell's section was second in point of time, but the men did not gain a place as they were not properly equipped at the finish. Lloyd Lindsay. — Sergeant Templeton, Corporal Muir, Trooper Orbell, and Trooper Black, 1 , Corporal Landels, Troopers Hazlett, Gourley, and Trump. Allen, 2; Sergeant Freeman, Corporal Findlay, Troopers Currie and Wellman, 3. Also competed: Sergeant Hazlett, Corporal Grieve, Troopers M'Kegg and Moreland. Tho .competition included three jumps, and at the two firing points No. 3 of each section led the horses around a flag 50 yards away. The contest was an interesting one all through, and the winners performed the task in the excellent time of 3min 29sec. The horses of all tho teams had evidently been well trained, and the jumping was excellent. The leading of the horses during the section firing, was also well carried out. The second team was very little behind the winners. The special display by the squadron was watched with a great deal of interest. It consisted of a short series of squadron movements, including massing of squadron, dismounted men forming in squares enclosing the horses and protecting them with heavy fire, squadron forming the double ride breaking to the flank by troops, and the same double ride by separate troops, followed by a circular ride by troops; filing off and performing a g_rand spiral at a gallop, afterwards reforming, liie forming into squares was the first display of that movement that has ever been given heie, and an idea was conveyed of the tactics adopted by the British force operating under Lord Kitchener in the Soudan, as on a small scalo it represents a moving square, with tho commissariat camels, horses, etc., in the centre. As may be imagined, the movements of the squadron were amongst the more enjoyable features of the tournament, but tho display had to be considerably curtailed owing to the bad ' weather. Tho Victoria Cross competition we 131 3 deleted altogether owing to the unfavourable weather. COMPETITIONS DURING- THE WEEK. Best Trained Horse. — Sergeant Templeton 1, Corporal Findlay 2, Sergeant Freeman 3, Corporal Muir 4. Best Turn-out: Man, horse, uniform, 9iid gear. — Trooper Morice 1, Trooper Gouvley 2, Trooper M'Kegg 3, Trooper Orbell 4. Best Kept Tent. — Troopers Miller, Moreland, Kirkland, and Shand 1. The whole troon competed. Sword Badges, for 10 best swordsmen.— Sergeaiits Freeman, Templefcon, Corporals Findlay, Grieve, Fox, Troopers Gourley, Morice, Ellison, J. B. Thomson, and Ellis. Champion Challenge Shield. — Sergeant Templeton (2f> points) 1, Sergeant Freeman find Corporal Find Jay (19 points each) 2; Coiporal Muir (17 points) 4. The company struck camp on Sunday afternoon, and the troops rode at once to their ye spective homes, the Taieri and Waikouaiti contingents riding out to those places.