THE VOLUNTEERS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12494, 22 March 1909, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

INSPECTION BY COL. DAVIES

Davies, C.8., Inspector General <of the Forces, had reason to be well satisfied with the muster that turned outior him at. Brightwater -on (Saturday afternoon, there being an attendance of 330 of all ranks, as. fol- & WS: r?-T,-? attery > 35 > Wakatu fr lte TJM cS ' 15,-Eirst Battalion Nelson Infantry, 97;- Cadet Battalion 144; Bearer Corps, -18; Garrison Band, 14; Unattached Officers, 4District Staff 3. ««*>,*, The College Cadets made an especially good On detraining the whole of the troops were faced towards the Brightwater hills, southeast of the railway station, when Col Davies briefly explained to the officers his intentions for the afternoon. They would be required to carry out a small tactical scheme, it being assumed that a hostile force had been reported by the inhabitants. to have been seen at .dawn^in a south easterly direction from Brightwatei-. The idea was for the force to move as oh service towards the enemy, the forward movement of the force to be covered and protected by advanced flanks and rear guards, the mounted men also to be used for reconnaisanco. This scheme was handed to Lieut-Col Joyce, O.C.D. -who detailed the various parties 6w..ing to the uncertainty of the weather m the morning the H.- Battery guns were not taken to Brightwater, but Captain Madigan was required to take up gun , positions. Lieut-Col Harkness provided tlie advanced and : flank guards and Major Broad an escort to the Battery, the main body of troops and the rear guard, whilst the mounted patrol was under' the command of Lieut Rutherford. The whole forces advanced about 1100 yards ascending the adjacent hills when, a halt was made. Colonel Davies assembled the principal officers and -went into tlie varying situations peculiar to the country, and each of these officers had an opportunity of giving an idea as. to -how the troops should be disposed of and the position attacked, the Inspector-General making criticisms therefrom. Outposts were established by the infantry,. Colonel Davies examining each post and pointing out the best methods for the sentries and groups to adopt in view of approaching bodies. The afternoon's work provided some capital instruction but owing to the lateral distance covered several parties neglected that very important duty of keeping in touch' with one another and the consequence was that many.- of the men were unable to appreciate what was being gone through by tlie bulk of the force.

Before entraining for town Colonel Davies addressed the troops, commenting on the obvious necessity of frequent holding of such parades to enable field work to be undertaken. They must practice field work and then, the men would take pleasure in turning out and so enable their officers to handle them in various situations. Some of the work that afternoon may have been dull to some of the men, who did not know the scheme that wasbeing carried out, but it must not be forgotten that it part of their training. He was exceedingly pleased with the trim turn out, which was very creditable.

Colonel Davies in the evening delivered a lecture to officers and noncommissioned officers at the Technical School on the "principle of protection to troops . halted and on the move," with, explanatory diagrams. There was a capital attendance. -■-• - . The Inspector-General, leaves for Blenheim this morning, and will inspect the local Volunteers on Wednesday afternoon

The Motueka Mounted Rifles had intended to be present at the parade on Saturday, but were prevented owing to the state of the weather in the early morning. The- section >of the Wakatu Mounted Rifles who attended are .to be commended for it. Some of the men had to ride long distances and during the journey got wet through.