VOLUNTEER NOTES,

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 16

VOLUNTEER NOTES,

Bt " Sbktbt."

Easter manceuvies for 1905 have proved another tribute to that wisdom which seeks to make this reriod of four-days' training as much as possible a «ounterpart of active service. The introduction of live ammunition this year proved of considerable value to those concerned, and if there was on the whole somewhat of a clatter and din a!ong the firing line as orders were hurled to and fro, and if it was the case that in many instances certain death would have been the portion where heads were indiscreetly and ofteu unconsciously •exposed, the fact of having gone through this experience, and having acquired the lessons thus taught will certainly make for a higher and more practical effic:enov in those who attended. The use of ball cartridge and shell, however, implied a certain disadvantage, inasmuch as there could be no initiative on the part cf an enemy, such as was the case last year. The absence of an active encmv, of cour=e. made the duties lighter, outposts not being l-equired to hold l^obition throughout the entire night. The near presenoa of an active, scheming, watchful enemy, whoje movements may not be anticipated, gives a zest to the manoeurrcs. and draws upon ihe \ ersatilityand resourcefulness of a.'l concerned.

It is extrerr.elv gratifying that the practice involving such possibilities in the way of accident should have been accomplished throughout th-e colony without on-e serious calamity. The casualty whereby a corpora! at Barewcod s; - btained slight concussion was a scmewhat mysterious affair, inasmuch as there was not a mark to indicate the cause of the mi.->hap, while the injured man himself could offer no explanation. Fortunately he was soon well enough tv move about the camp. Report tells rt a certain corporal who. succumbing to the allurements of battalion football, is still looking' for the Volunteer who*e more vigorous foot left its punt upon the ankle of the corporal aforesaid.

Private Frazer, of the Queen=.town Rifles, will probably not soon forget his first night's expedience in tho Waianakarua camp. Awakened at midnight with a violent and inexplicable nain in one of his ears, the man rapidly became worse, and the services of the Field Hospital Corps were requisitioned. Sergeant Vine, acting promptly, soon brought relief to the painmaddened man, and Sur?eon-major Evans subsequently extracted a large brown insect — a species of be-e.t'c — from the rifleman's ear. The incident, natura'lv enough, created soi'-ie concern in the Queenstown contingefit's quartern

Provost Sergeant Provo had something of a sinecure at Barewod — a circumstance doubtless due to the efficiency of his police supervision. The veteran was not likely to find any pleasure in that which involved Ino particular activity, and it can be ' imagined that his perennially youthful breast heaved at the thought of his being at ease whilst others were in the thick of the conflict. The only case of insubordination was provided by the horse secured ; for the drawing of the telegraph cart, and as this was some way out of the provostsergeant's department, no arrest was made. Whether this animal belonged to any labour organisation which held Easter sacred from labour is not known, but certain ifc is that the quadnu>ed displayed an inveterate hostility towards anything in the shape of service, and caused endles3 trouble to the section it was hired to ass st. The attendances at the various camjjs were, needlers to say, not excessive in relation to the number of Volunteers in the district. Barewood had the most, but even then but a small percentage — merely sufiicient to enable them to echo the sentiments of the Presbyterian divine who informed his congregation that '* they had not had a very prosperous year, but. thank God, the Methodists over the way hadn't done any better ." The No. 3 camp (Lovell's Flat) was marked by good feeling amongst the ranks, and good work was done by all. On Saturday, at 8 a.m.. B Company relieved A Company in the outrio-t line, B waiting until the main body arrived, then taking its place in the firing line. C Company was thrown out to make a feint attack on the right, and to open long-range volleys at target. It pro\ed to be most difficult to see the head and shoulders at the distance, so very little firing was done j until within 600 yards. B Company pressed home the frontal attack, with A Company in reserve. The work was well done, cover being taken advantage of splendid'y. A halt was called for lunch, which the Q.M. had in readiness at Mr Nelson's. In the afternoon a retirement was made by sue- ] ce=sive hives until the whole battalion was j out of danger. The day's work b^ing done, the battalion marched home to camp. Sunday was to be a day of rest, but feme small point being wrong with the trenches constructed the day before. A Company was parad-ed and marched out to alter and repair them. The battalion paraded at 2 p.m. to attend Divine service in the Lovell'a Flat Church. Mr P. B. Fraser preached a capital sermon on courage. Monday was ; a repetition of Saturday, excepting that the ! targets were shifted somewhat, ard Colonel I Robin was on the scene. After the battalion had arrived in camp the colonel addressed a few words to the officers on the work done that day, fchowinsr some maps to illustrate his points. Camp being struck, troops were entrained at "5.38 and 7.35 respectively. : From various sources I have gathered the I following interesting details of company work : —