OUR VOLUNTEERS IN CAMP.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 34, 18 November 1899, Page 5

OUR VOLUNTEERS IN CAMP.

The chief factor in the success of the camp held on the Queen’s Park, was undoubtedly the splendid weather experienced from first to last, making outdoor life a pleasure, and the fact that the work was so carefully planned out was highly instructive, being faithfully adhered founder the Adjutant’s orders, was another factor, and Captain Henderson and the officers of companies may take great credit tor the way the training was imparted by them. The details of field work, the formation and duties of scouts, reconnoitring patrols, outposts, picquets, etc., was, of course, given due prominence, and proved very congenial work to all, while the N’.C.O.’s in charge of sections were detailed for field sketching with results on paper very satisfactory to their officers. In this connection I understand Captain MacKenzie purposes shortly to start a class for instruction in this branch, which should have good results. Guard mounting each night from 9 p m. to 12 p.ra. was undertaken by the corps in rotation, and that it was performed in earnest was found by civilians and volunteers alike, a few of the latter being detained in the guard tent for outlasting their leave on one or two evenings. Where a number of men are gathered together things are apt to get noisy at times, but I do not think anyone could find much fault with the volunteers in this respect. On one occasion when the gates were closed for the night, there was a most unseemly disturbance outside, caused by a bunch of ‘ Uitlanders ’ who had imbibed too freely and perhaps imagined themselves in proximity to Oom Paul. As drill was cot concluded nightly till about 8.30 or 9 p.m. the men had not too much spare time, but on two evenings they provided camp fire concerts, at which some really fine singing was heard, the chief performers being Sergt. Wills, Privates Wakelin, Lister, Baines and Pasco, P.O Pretwell and Bugler Urquhart, that fine song ‘ Eileen Allanah,’ by Mr M. South, being splendidly rendered. The Awarua’s double quartette party, with musical (?) accompaniment was listened to by those who couldn’t get away ! The Garrison Band drew a big crowd on Monday evening, and regret was expressed by many that the presence of the City and Pipe Bands was not also arranged for. The marching-in states of the different companies were given last week, but as each of the • corps received additions on Friday and Saturday, the total number of men under canvas was about 128, made up as follows:—City Guards 39, Oreti Rifles 45, Awarua Rifles 44. On Sunday afternoon a church parade was held, the Ven. Archdeacon Stocker officiating and delivering an admirably appropriate address. The final day, Wednesday last, was utilized for a sham fight, the scene of operations being the Park north of the camp, but through the Oretis (the attacking force) being late in leaving camp, the few available bits of cover were taken up by their opponents — the Guards and Awaruas before much of an advance was made; the result being, therefore, the retirement of the kharkee boys, and the end a victory for the defending party. Camp was struck at 7.30 by bugle call, and after photos had been secured by Mr Ross of the battalion and companies separately, for insertion, T Believe, in the Navy and Army

Gazette, the corps marched to the Garrison Hall, headed by theGarrison Band, where speeches were made by Captains Henderson and Mackenzie, and hearty cheers given by the men for their officers, thus marking the close of a moat enjoyable time with right good will.