THE VOLUNTEERS

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8746, 14 December 1896, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS

AFTERNOON'S OPERATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. On Saturday afternoon the Volunteers of the district were ordered to attend for one of the who'e afternoons authorised under the Regulation?. lhe Naval Artillery, who numbered about 30, under Captain Simpson and Lieut. Watson ; the H Ba'.tery 5, with Lieut Top'iss, and the Garrison Ban! about 20, under Drum-Major Simpson, met at the Railway Station, and were taken into the country by train. The Garrison Band were left at Brightwater, whilst the remainder proceeded as far as Spring Grove, and were strengthened at this Bpot by the Waimea Rifles, who had but a thin attendance. The Stoke Rifles were pioked up en route, and dropped at Brightwater. The College Cadets, being in the midst of their exams, were cot paraded. The general idea of the afternoon's operations was as follows : A force has advanced from Belgrove to Spring Grove, and has hailed to camp there. This force consisting of the Navals and Waimea Rifles, has an extended outpost line, and is cautioned to keep a Bharp look-out for the enemy (Stoke Rifles, under Captain Harkneas), who have been seen patrolling in force. The operations were confined within oertain limits. The Navals formed the left section of the outpost line, tbe Waimea Rifles the right, and were disposed on a commanding position overlooking that of the enemy, who, by the time tbeir opponents had got into position, had proceeded iA regular order, and were arranged by Captain Harkoess on a hilly poiition about 500 yards in front of the defending party. Both bides maintained a bot fire, and the Navals and Waimea Rifles, by half company, rushed and gradually drove the. enemy back to the vicinity of tbe Brightwater end of the boundary, wbon the command to cease operation was given. The whole forca was then formed up, and. eagh company m 9 d.c :

tailed" for oatpost work, Lieut.-Colonel Fitt, when the sentries had been plaoad, making an examination ot the posts. At in minuteß .to six the afternoon's work had oeased, the men having been kept bu*y the whole time. Owing to the smallneas ot the number ou parade, the work wa* not as complete as had been wished, although very good instrnction was obtained. The beat was at times oppressive, but the men worked well in spite of it. The members of tbe town oorpa ware brought in by the seven train, tbe Garrison Band playing the N avals tt Trafalgar street, where the dismissal took plaoe. Wbile the operations were in progress the Garrison Bind *ere taken to a very convenient spot, and there discoursed sweet muaio to the evident enjoyment of the inhabitants of Brightwater, Refreshments were supplied in liberal quantities, and in consequence of the heat these were muoh appreciated. Oa Saturday morniog the first competition thi? season for Messrs fauxton and Co.'s trophy was fired by the Naval Artillery, when S?aman Harford scored a win with a soore of 56. The next best shooting was made by Seaman Johnson 49, P.O. Sherwood 41, and J Seaman MoGavin 40. The rangeß were 300 ' and 500, seven shots at each. Captain Lit tie John left by the Wainui yesterday for a short holiday. Oa his return volley firing will be oommenced.