THE CAMP.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2762, 17 April 1900, Page 2

THE CAMP.

THE CLOSING SCENES. Yesterday the Easter Camp was brought to a moat successful close, with a general engagement with an imaginary enemy, located on Saturday as strongly entrenched along the’ valley and downs leading from Hay’s corner on the south towards the Levels Valley and Cliffs road, about north-west of the camp, and extending along a frontage of three to four miles. The ground from which the attack was made could not have been better chosen, and, witnessing the defence from the highest point, it was marvellous to note how the fire shot along the downs and gullies from end to end,

The camp was early astir, and many were disappointed to note how dense was the fog that covered the whole of the land which was to be worked over. The mounted brigade were divided into handy troops and divisions, rode out and took possession of all the roads and other lines leading to the British front. The scouting and outpost work was well done despite the fog, and it was again most interesting to watch how carefully horses were led to cover and their riders took up positions at corners ov on haystacks, etc,, so that they could get a good view of the country and report at once to their officers. While the mounted men were engaged at this work, the infantry were taken to the rear of the hill, and their outposts and skirmishers had come into action just as the cavalry were galloping back. Colonel Cordon and the North and South Canterbuiy Battalions were engaged away to the south, and Colonel Webb and his Brigade of Otago and Southland men away to the north. The brow of the hill was lined with men, and by noon the defence of the position was general, the rattle of the rifle lire, from the northern front rigiit along to that in the south being almost continuous for nearly half an hour, and the E Battery with their 9prs shelling the enemy’s main stronghold with deadly effect. The Battery was admirably worked, and held a most commanding position. Prior to the engagement commencing Colonel Bailey and his staff rode right along the front, and during the defence the orderlies were kept very busy indeed. The Engineers attached to the Battery did excellent work, excavating, etc.,

and the Ambulance had similar practice to that of Saturday, rendering genuine aid in several cases. While the first battalions were extending and taking up advantageous positions the reserves indulged in sports of various kinds, but when the order to “ proceed to the front” arrived jumped into the firing line with smartness and enthusiasm. The mimic battle was watched with the greatest interest by thousands of spectators from “ New Zealand Hill,” the fog fortunately lifting Just as the whole force had entered the firing line, and though the smoke from the big guns and from some of the companies’ small arms in the valley, hung very low, the lengthy frontage could easily be outlined with the naked eye. As a spectacle the public were delighted with what they had seen, and we may add here that the noise of the “ bombardment” was plainly heard at Timaru and Temuka. The order to “cease firing” was given about 12 20, and in very short time the Brigades of mounted men had reformed, the Battery had come out of action and received the command to march, and the battalions had got together again.

All then came in “ flushed with victory ”to the parade ground. Here the army was formed up for the march past, and a splendid sight was presented. The order of march was as follows : The Mounted Brigade headed by Major Slater, after whom came immediately his officers and then the troopers of the Otago Hussars, the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles being the rear troop of the brigade ; then followed the E Battery and their 9-pr. Armstrongs, fully horsed; the Christchurch Garrison Band, the Engineers, Colonel Gordon and his staff, the North Canterbury and South ; Canterbury Battalions with Major Day and Lieutenant-Colonel Moore in command, respectively; the Southern Brigade with the Dunedin Garrison Band, Nos. 1 and 2 Battalions, with Major Smith and Lieutenant-Colonel Headland at the head of the respective commands, the cycle corps, and the bearer corps. The march past was a most picturesque sight, and was so good as to elicit a very warm commendation from the Commander of the Camp, Colonel Bailey. After marching past in troop, the Mounted Brigade came past in single file, and it was then plainly seen how well the majority of the horses were trained, and an opportunity was also given to see the quality of the mounts, which, despite the hard morning’s work, were going and looking very well; quite half of the horses were as good as could be seen at any parade in the world. After the mounted parade had been dismissed the infantry advanced, and at the word of command from Colonel Gordon gave the general salute, a movement which was done in excellent time and with commendable evenness. In the march past the whole of the infantry were very steady, the applause being particularly hearty as the South Canterbury Battalion, with Captain Gillies and the City Rifles at their head, passed in review, tt was watched by all the visitors present, New Zealand Hill being crowded with people, and a good many others being at the saluting point. The ceremony concluded about 2.10 p.m,, and the men on return to their camp did justice to their dinner. At many of the tents visitors were most hospitably entertained, the officers especially having numerous tent parties. The order had previously been issued—- “ camp to be struck at 3.30,” so that as soon as the meal was comfortably over, bugle sounds were numerous, and busy scenes were presented on every hand. The Mounted Brigade (with the exception of the South Canterbury men) had to truck their horses at the Washdyke and take their baggage to the Levels, and be ready to entrain before 9 30 p.m The infantry had orders to be ready about the same hour. While the review was going on a squad of Engineers were busy filling in the trenches and taking down the posts which had been used in connection with the telegraph and telephone services. Prior to the closing scenes Lieqtenanfer Colonel Bailey, the Commander of the Camp, issued the following divisional order “At the close of the Easter camp at Timaru the officer commanding wishes to express his satisfaction with the work done by the troops and to thank all the officers and volunteers for their hearty co-operation. He desires also to record his appreciation of the great amount of work done by Captain Palairet, Major Wright, and those noncommissioned officers and men who assisted in the preparation of the camp. The medical and sanitary arrangements have been ably carrie out by Lieut. Colonel deLatour, P.M.0., and the health of the men has been good throughout. There has been no complaint as to the rations and contract supplies. The canteen has been well conducted, and the general behaviourof the volunteers has been excellent. The thanks of all are due to Mr Ohas. N. Orbell, of the Levels Estate, for bis kindness in permitting the camp to be held on this station, which must have caused him considerable inconvenience. The only regret is that the camp must be broken up to-day (Monday), as the ordinary associations of the volunteers will not admit of sufficient numbers remaining for seven days as desired by the Commander of the Forces. (Signed), C. S. Bailey.” On Sunday evening the non-commis-sioned officers held a most enjoyable smoke concert, at which a lengthy vocal programme was gone through. A huge camp fire was also lighted and kept going till about 10 o’clock, a most enjoyable time being spent. We may add here that the train service yesterday was greatly appreciated, and Mr Marcus was given many thanks for the convenient way in which the trains were run. Of course, one or two of them were much crowded, but this was to be expected, for as soon as the inspection was over the crowd made a break for the train. The fare—ls return —was much appreciated also, the read charges, especially on Sunday, when it was 2s each way, being thought by many to be rather too much. To tell the truth, the railway department missed a “golden" opportunity by not running specials on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The first, men to leave camp last evening were the Waimate Eifles, who left by the 3.25 special to catch their train home. Next to come out were the Timaru companies, who left camp shortly before 5 o’clock, and in command of Captain Gillies and headed by the Port Guards marched home by road. This was very commendable, the more especially as a hard day’s work had been gone through. The Southland men went through Timaru by special at 7.26, a double train for the northern men loft Timaru for the camp at 8.15, and being divided, the Christchurch infantry left the Washdyke at 9 36, the Otago infantry at 9.53. A train with the Otago mounted men left Timary at 10.50, and one with the North Canterbury men left Washdyke at 11 p.m. This meant that Mr Marcus and his staff had as busy a night as they had a day, and so far as we could learn it was got through without mishap of any kind, and without a murmur of complaint. To-day a fatigue parly will clear the camp, and sheep will once more graze on a spot which for the pa»t week has been the base of the "Battle of the Levels.”