LORD KITCHENER.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12724, 21 February 1910, Page 4

LORD KITCHENER.

THE WORK DONE AT DUNEDIN. [United Pbess Association.] Dunedin, Feb. 20. Contrary -to expectations th© force of some 2000 men encamped at Abbotsneld were not called out unexpectedly, and paraded for inspection according to tne orders previously issued at tt a.m. yesterday. .Lord Kitchener, accompanied by tho Jfnmo Minister and members of the Defence Council, arrived- by motors from-Dun-edin snortly after 8 o'clock; H© and ins party were provided with horses, and immediatiely proceeded to inspect the assembled troops. The mounted titles made a very tine display", ' aiul cliere is reason to believe were very favourably viewed by the Field Aiarshal. .. Having seen tlie mounted men march out ot camp, Lord Kitchener inspected the infantry, B Battery, engineers, ambulance corps, etc., ano. then, stationed himself with the x'riine Minister and watched the four battalions follow the cavalry in th© direction of Abbotsford. Orders given by Lord 'Kitchener to LieiutenanitColonel Smythe, who was in charge of the forces, were to defend Dunedmfrom a suppositious ©nemy reported bo be landing at Taieri mouth. Between the camp and the Taieri moutn Hill," Scrogg's Hill, and Table Hill, is a chain of hills leading-from Table Hill towards Dunedm affording a live of retreat. Lieutenant-Colonel .Smythe made the arrangements promptly and thoroughly. Th© country in the vicinity of Dunedin has been his special study since his appointment here. Saddle Hill and its vicinity have necessitated his particular attention. He ordered the B Brigade to take a defensive position at Jeffrey's Hill, occupying Scrogg's Hill as a false position, two regiments of mounted troops and on© section of - cyclists being told off as a protective force, and wer© to occupy Scrogg's Hill. Reconnoitring towaras ihe Tai©ii mouth an advance guard of two companies of infantry and one squadron of mounted troops were detailed, and a roar-guard of one company, leaving two battalions as tho main body stationed on the north sid« of Saddle Hill. The engineers on the right flank threw up entrenchments, and the left flank was - similarly strengthened. A field telephone was laid down, flag signallers appeared on all the hill tops, field ambulance . got into xjosition not far from headquarters! The B Battery at headquarters was lield in readiness to proceed to i the front, and all the dispositions were completed soon after midday, j winch, considering that it was after -9 o'clock wlien the fore© left camp, was remarkably quick work. By thus placing his force- Lieutenant-Colonel Smytho was able to command two main roads leading from the Taieri mouth, and while occupying a particularly strong position, had available- a satisfactory line of retreat along the chain of hills, which also offered excellent opportunities to the defending force. While the arrangements were being made, Lord kitchener, accompanied by his -staff, was appearing unexpectedly in different parts of the country over whieli ttu* operations were taking place. Persons interested remarked upon th© | consumiug energy of the Field Marshal and the rapidity with which h© travelled. At on© moment he was on th© distant ihillside a short distance in advance of his hotly pursuing staff. Ten minutes later the little party was descried at an entirely different point of the compass. Lord -Kitchener visited every unit of the defending force, and while staying only a moment, he seemed to 6ee everything. He seldom spoke, and made no comments upon Colonel I Smythe' s dispositions. About 1 p.m. h« ordered the force held in resrv© at ! headquarters to reinforce th© fortified positions, and th© two battalions, ! mojuiited rifles, nnd B Battery moved I rapidly out to tho front. Lord Kitchener watched these movements I closely. He took one more look at the engineers' fortifications, and with scarcely a word he launounced that h'e 9 ha'd seen sufficient, and ho rode to the foot of the hill and caught tho motor car and returned to Dunedin. At.. '2 p.m. the march back to camp commenced. " The troops returned to their homes tc-^Jay. Lord Kitchener left Dunedin with his sister in a motor car this morning. H© was expected to spend tho afternoon with his sister (Mrs Parker) at her Jiome at Kurow. He will leave Oamaru for the north by the second express to-morrow, and go on to ,Christchurch. i PREPARATIONS IN CANTERBURY.