“THOSE WERE THE DAYS”

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4042, 2 May 1938, Page 5

“THOSE WERE THE DAYS”

TE AWAMUTU VOLUNTEERS. INTERESTING REMINISCENCES.

(By

y G.R.)

OZd soldiers never die! The Navals were pretty to it (jh— But Te A wain at it's Cavalry Were quite superior stuff! —SPAATBBEER. I frequently meet members of the old troop who attended the Easter encampments, at Thames, Te Awamutu (1881), and Papatoetoe (1885); also Takapuna (1887). They were full grown men that long ago. Yet half ot the men in the Papatoetoe camp are still living, which I think proves them to be of superior stock. They are widely scattered now—in Australia Auckland, Nelson, a number in Raglan and Whatawhata. The ones stilt in this district are C. and W. Alexander, E. Bridgman, F. Gibson, J. Hol den, W. Kirkham, H. North. W. G. Park, G. Rigg, H. Short, C. F. Storey and T. Weal (the latter being the trumpeter). No doubt there may be others, whom I do not remember just at present. The troop was formed in the early ’Seventies and was commanded by Major W. Jackson, with A. Kay and W. S. Rutherford as lieutenants, and ■ some seventy troopers. AN EARLY ENCAMPMENT. In 1885 the troop, under Captain Rutherford and Lieutenants Bruce and Wilkinson, and 70 men attended the Easter encampment at Papatoetoe. A few of the incidents that took place are that the troop were invited to the Auckland races, on Easter Monday, as guests of the club. This caused some jealousy, and at night the ropes of the marquee, under which was the canteen, were cut, and it fell on to the proprietor and two barmen who were sleeping there. The cry for help was “Cavalry to the rescue,” and in an hour everything was in order again, with the loss of a few bottles of grog broken—and a few missing. An armed guard was provided for the rest of the week. The Naval Brigade had an unbroken iecord of some years standing for the military tug-of-war held at these* camps, but they were beaten in two straight pulls by the Te Awamutu team, whose ten men averaged 14 stone 8 lbs against the Navals’ 12 stone 10 lbs. The losers had more skill at the game, but could not overcome the extra weight and muscle ot their opponents, six of whom were young giants, straight out of bush camps and as hard as steel. WAR SCARE IN THE ’EIGHTIES. In 1886 there was a war scare, which caused a rush to the ranks of the then volunteer corps. There was a rumour that Hie militia were to be called up, which meant all single men between 17 and 55 years of age. Many young folks got married—and so passed into the second class. Others preferred the cavalry to infantry. The result of the scare was that a number of new corps were formed. In Auckland Dr Legcr Erson formed a troop of Lancers. Captain C. Smith a troop of cavalry, a torpedo corps, ot which the present Mayor of Auckland was an officer; coastguards, sea scouts and many othei corps now long ex tinct. In 1887 the Easter camp was at Takapuna, and was a large one. The local troop from Te Awamutu was at full strength, 80 men. The weathei was good and the camp was voted a great success. MI LIT/ RY LAW. As showing that the animus between the Navals and the cavalry’ was not dead, when the bugle sounded on the third morning only’ one Te Awamutu horse was ar. the picket lines, and it had been painted to represent a zebra—the rest were in the pound at Devonport, and the pound-keeper refused to give them up until his fees were paid! There was a little further delay, when Scrgt. Thomas Gresham, a lawyer by profession, came along, armed with an Act of Parliament, which he read to the pound-keeper, and some of the authorities, and others who had collected to see the fun. He commenced thus: The Defence Act. 1886, part 8, section 102. Any duty or toll leviable at any pier, wharf, quay, ferry or bridge, or at any' turnpike, gate or bar. or at any other gate or bar on a public road, shall not be demanded from volunteers when on duty, and the horses used by’ any of the same while serving in the discharge of their duties, shall be exempt from seizure. God save the Queen! “Now,” declared the sergeant, “we are not going back to camp without the horses, and if we have to use force to break the gate, we shall take the pound-keeper back with us a prisoner!” The old man thereupon unlocked the gates, and was afterwards paid a good sum for his trouble. The horses were really better in the pound that straying on the roads. SHOOTING AND DANCING. The chief event of the year was the annual shooting match against the Waiuku troop, this contest taking place year about at each place. Three trial matches were fired and the ten highest aggregate scorers were picked as the team. At the date appointed the carbine match took place, with a dinner in the volunteer hall at night. Next day’ military sports were held on The racecouhse, and the cavalry ball in the evening. This was “the ball of the year,” and was anxiously’ waited for. and afterwards talked about for weeks. THE TE AWAMUTU TROOP. The volunteer hall at this time was 1 built on land given by the Govern- i ment, who also gave £lOO in cash; the balance was found by the troop and their friends. The volunteer in those old days had to supply everything ; but accoutrements, viz., horse, saddle, pit and bridoon bridle, uniform, helmet, fnrage cap, leggings and spurs. To become a member of the Te Awamutu troop he had to be balloted for and then pay’ an annual subscription. Those were the days! Plenty oj work! Plenty oj fun! And one pound i week to do it on! —SPAATSBEER. <