SHAM FIGHT AT TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 8

SHAM FIGHT AT TEMUKA.

Early on Saturday morning the Temuka Volunteers and a few Cadets of the Timaru Artillery force were astir erecting a masked battery amonget the flax, at the southern end of the town of Temuka. The battery was composed of two guns. Captain Young and the officers of the Temuka Volunteers, accompaniidby Bergeont-Mojor McPherson of Oumaru, later on virited lbe ground, and decided on their plan for the defence ol Temuka, and by nine o'clock the infantry of lhe defeuding force proceeded towards the Temuki bridge, throwing out an advanced guard with feelers to look out for the attacking force, which was under the command of Captain Jackson, and consisted of the C Battery N.Z.A. under Lieut. Wardell, and the T.A.V. Cadets under Sub-Lieut. Mohon, numbering m oil between 50 and 60 men. When between the Temuka and Arowbenuo bridges, the enemy ai peared m force, witb artillery m their rear. Heavy firing then commenced on both sides, the Temuka advanced guard being compelled to retire on their supports. The whole of the defending force, numbering about 40 men, then advanced, but were shortly comueiled to retire to the Temuka bridge, where they attempted to make a stand, throwing out a body of skirmishers on both sides of tlie bridge, and keeping up a continuous ond heavy fire. They were, however, gradually forced to the Temuka end of the bridge, where they took up a splendid position, and held it for a long time, only abandoning it on the attacking force pouring m a heavy fire from their artillery. The defending f^rce took shelter behind a sod embankment, and the Temuka Artillery then commenced pouring into tbe ranks of the attacking force a most destructive fire. The Timaru force still continuing to advance, Oiptein Young sent out Sergeont-Mojor McPherson with a flag ol trucPj upon wbich Capioin Jackson at once gave orders to cease firing. It having heen agreed that the attacking party should be allowed to enter the town, they were closed and retired to the northern end of tbe Temuka Bridge where they were joined by the Temuka men, and marched into the town m column of route. Tbe Timara force marched at the head of the column, the rear being brought up by the Temuka Rifles, lhe whole under the com mand of Captain Young. After marching through Temuka the battalion proceeeded to tbe Volunteer Hall, where the men wete addressed by Captain Young, who m a few hearty words thanked tbe officers and men for their attendance, and intimated that a luncheon was awaiting them m Ihe hall. The men were then marched inside, where tbey piled anne and broke off, sitting down to a substantial and tempting spread, to which the hungry warriors did ample justice. The following toasts were then duly honored ond responded to : — " The Queen and the Royal Family," " Tbe Army, Navy, and Volunteers," coupled with the nan#s of Sergeant ■ Major McPherson, Lieutenant Wardle, and the Temuka Volunteers. After lunch tbe whole force fell m, marched to a vacant spot near the Railway titation, where a Royal salute and felt de joie were fired with commendable precision. Battalion drill was then gone into under Captain Young, and executed fairly well. The battalion was dismissed at about half-past three, and Bhortly afterwards the following appointments were made by Captain Young, the Co-n---mnndon t: — Captain Jackson to be Captain of ihe day, Lieutenant Wardle, Garrinon Adjutant; and Sergeant-major Macpherson, Garrison Sergeant-major until the breaking up ofthe garrison. Orders for guards, nickels, &a, were also issued. The Timaru men were quartered m the Volunteer Hall, and victualled at the Crown Hotel. A guard of the T.A.V. Cadets wos posted ofter tea, ond were relieved at midnight by a guard of the C Battery, which continued on duty til reveille at 7 a.m. The guards did tbeir duty well, and made prisoners of a f.w unfortunates wbo were either disorderly or attempted io pass after "lights out* wilhout ihe countersign. A picket of the Temuka Rifl s piraded at 10 p.m., and remained on duty till midnight, patrolling the streets between 11 and 12 p.m. They had, however, little to do, as no Volunteers were found out after hours and the lown waß quiet. We should aleo mention lhat a picket of the T.A.V. Cadets was cent to the roilway station at 5 30 p.m., with orders to allow no Volunteer to leave witbout a pass from his commanding officer. The piecaution, of course, proved unnecessary. A battalion parade was held on Sunday morning, Captain Jackson being m command, and a church parade at 12.30 p.m., tbe battalion attending a special service at St. Saviour's. At 3 p.m. precisely the Timaru fo-ce commenced itß homeward march, being escorted bs for as the Arowhenua biidge by a guard of honor of the Temuka rifleß under Captain Young. All behaved splendidly on the marcb, and arrived m town at 7.30 pm. m capital order, tlte time actually occupied m marching being under four hours, as some time was spent at the Arowhenua Bridge, taking leave of the Temuka men, and three otber halts were made on the way, We should mention that the Timaru men went out by rail as far as the Arowhenua on Saturday morning, the gun and its detachment going by tbe road, lt was originally intended to march tbe whole out, but owing to the very bad wealher they could not be got together m time.