Caster Encampment.

Southland Times, Issue 19265, 1 February 1904, Page 4

Caster Encampment.

In the last District Orders Colonel Robin, 0.8., has given an outline of the work that will bo done by the combined forces of Otago and Southland, at the Easter encampment at Waipahi. It ia years now since as much interest has been taken in an Easter camp as is being taken this year, and, given the fine weather that all branches of the service have been experiencing •in their camps this, season, the Waipahi camp will furnish instructive outing for our defenders. The' South force, which will be under command of I4eut.-C01.. : Hawkins, and will, consist of all tho Southland companies, to which will bo attached half a Battery of field artillery, half » company oiE^s^efirs, and u half a Bearer corps^wiil assembie-at Waipahi soon after., midjxight on the Thursday night, andiwUl take up the defence of the township aad surrounding country, payiag/Bj£clai cuttention to the railway line. The North force, under the command of liieui.-Col.jSmith will, with the exception of being atronger by a battalion of infantry, be of a similar composition. It will form the attacking force, and will assemble at Clinton on the same night. The country offered to jthe Defence Department is admirably suited for the worb, having an area of some 80,000 acres, and the struggle for supremacy between North, and South will extend over three days. Hitherto, in these manoeuvres, there has been a tendency to overwork ..the. corps; and. more particularly to jump the men rignt into hard graft im-medlately..-'on arrival on the scene of operations, when all are short of tooth sleep and lobd. . ;With the 'experience he gained in * sSuth Africa of working tired men, Color.^ RpbJUi has provided in the orders- that v qperatloiu* . ahall not commence iliil noon on Friday, thus allow ing the men to got fairly comfortable in their quarters. Special attention Is being given to the commissariat department, and Jt ia quite likely that Defence stores will be erected at Waipahi to assist in the work of pro- : vidlng. for the -larga number of men expected. Colonel Robin will come to Invercargill to meet the officers and discuss the proposed work as Boon as rough maps, of the locality have been prepared. i)uri»g the " hostilities '", he will not in any way interfere with the ideas of the commanders, but, w.ljl act as Chief of the -XTmpiro.^ staffs and iafothft^oncluaipn.: of the engagement will. assume command of .the whole force and for a short' time conduct a combined attack, on the, Bite chosen. To -mountedv men , this will be the best j opportunity vpf^ tjhowing their capabilities ..«•_. scouts.. and!patrol9._ and to. some of the country .squadrons who claim to have Auc& fine crofls-«ountry men and horses in their ranks, work ..will be allotted that wUI give them the che. ace of showing what they really can do. Not only that, but by attending this camp and their annual training they have practically earned the capitation for the yoar without other parades.