Volunteer Intelligence.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2956, 30 November 1900, Page 3

Volunteer Intelligence.

The Headquarter Corps went into camp in Smithson’s paddock, off Wai-iti road, last evening, and so far as weather is concerned they have made a start under the happiest auspices. The corps paraded at the drill shed at 7.30 p.m., but it was just on 8 o’clock when the battalion formed up, aad Captain Gillies took command. Ofiicers and men looked as if they meant it, ior nearly every man was neatly uniformed, had his swag done up in collar fashion, his haversack filled with toilet requisites, and his bottle with—water no ' doubt. The Garrison Band ,(J25 strong) with bergeant Cameron and Drum-Major Elgin, was at the head of the parade, the battalion marching along Stafford street to the camping ground. The spot chosen, barring that the ground slopes a little, is an excellent one for a small camp. Tents are pitched in the small paddock near the beach, trees being on the western frontage, and gorse on the eastern. It is thus beautifully sheltered. The tents are not placed in proper military style ; the officers had to study (Circumstances more than style, and the re- ! -suit is that the tents are much closer together than they perhaps should be to ensure safety from fire and other accident. The officers’ quarters are on the western frontage; behind these are the Tmiaru Rifles’ quarters, then the Port Guards, then the City Rifles, along the eastern DounTo the south are the *tore room and rcoofcs’ quarters, and two large marquees -will fee erected this morning for mess purposes. £)wing to unavoidable delay levening 'rb was dark before the battalion was ■dismissed attfce camp, and it took the men -a goodehoui* to get properly shaken d.wn. 'This process made a scene of great activity, and as the men were somewhat hampered fey the presence of numerous spectators, it was found necessary to clear the camp of all "loiterers and followers.” We were unable to get a reliable parade state last ■night but Lieutenant and Adjutant Roden informed us that there were, roughly, about 100 men in camp. The corps represented and officers on parade were City Rifles Captain J L. Gillies (who commands the camp), and Lieutenant Amos; Port Guards Oaptaln P. Raymond and Lieutenants I)obso*y and Anderson j TimWW Rifles, ;Gaptam

W. Beckingham and Lieutenant Wood; Adjutant Foden and Sergeant-Major Bradley represented the staff. The Adjutant expects that 130 men will be in camp today. Tents, etc'., are very comfortable, and very complete arrangements have been made for catering. The camp is to be essentially a camp of instruction, and a start was at once made by posting sentries. The camp will last a at 6 a.m., parade at 6.15 a.m., breakfast at 7 a.m., tea at 6.15 p.m., parade at 6.45 p.m., first post 10 p.m., last post 10.15, lights out 10.30. There will be drill this morning, and at a quarter-to 7 o’clock this evening the Port Guards will parade for guard mounting, while the other two companies will march to Caroline Bay, one company engaging in entrenching work, the other in field firing. The targets for the- latter purpose are four in number and were anchored in Caroline Bay by Lieutenant Dobson yesterday afternoon. It will be dangerous for anyone to go on the north mole or beach while the field firing is in progress. In addition to the work briefly outlined, the companies will be generally exercised in work which is suitable to and useful for active' purposes. Every man is expected to attend and fines will be strictly enforced. It is intended that all outside exercises, such as shelter trench work and field firing, shall be carried out in the evening while daylight lasts, and outpost and patrol duty later. On Sunday, the 2nd Dec., there will be an inspection by the officer commanding the district (Lieutenant-Colojiel Moore) at 10.30 a.m., and at 11 a.m. the Battalion will march to St. Mary’s Church for divine service, and at 2.30 p.m. there will be a battalion parade. On Tuesday next, the battalion will parade for inspection by the officer commanding at 7 p.m. We may add that as part of the daily routine one officer and nofi-commissioned officer is made responsible for the order and discipline of the camp, and that the battalion SergeantMajor is to devote his time especially to the instruction of the non-coms, in guard mounting, and will see that as many as possible take their due share of this work.