THE ENCAMPMENT AT WINCHESTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3284, 7 April 1885, Page 2

THE ENCAMPMENT AT WINCHESTER.

AUTUMN MANOEUVRES. (by our special reporter.) The encampment of our Volunteers at Winchester was brought to a close yesterday afternoon, and by evening the baggage, guns, tents, otc, were cleared away, and Mr DeRenzy's paddock once more assumed its wonted appearance. Before giving an account of yesterday's doings it is only right to mention that the church parade and service m the open air on Sunday was well attended, and the men thus showed their hearts were m their work, and that they were determined to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them by" those m command. The Ber. T. A. Hamilton, of Teinuka, officiated as Chaplain, and preached a most appropriate sermon, specially dwelling on the duties of him who took up arms, and who m a sense was prepared to lay down his life for his brother. The Infantry on Sunday spent a short time m drilling, and the C and E Batterieß of Artillery went through some field movements, while the C.Y.O. had some sword exercise and executed a few troop movements. The day was, however, spent more as a day of rest, as it should he, than a day of work, and the men put m their time quietly and peacefully. Saturday night, as also Sunday night, was most harmoniously and agreeably spent around the old camp fire, and the instruction derived from these entertainments it is hoped will be productive of lasting good. Most people know that where many Volunteers are gathered together there are sure to be one or two who can give a good song, or recitation, or spin a most interesting " yarn," and our encampment wag no exception to this rule. It was pleasing to sit out these impromptu concerts, as not a few showed themselves to be no novices at singing, reciting, etc. Yesterday, as the finale, Lieut.-Colonel Lean decided to again have a grand field day, and chose the plain to the southward of the Orari railway station as the field of operations. The " orders for the day " were delivered to the orderly sergeants of the respective corps, and posted at the Adjutant's tent at the usual early hour, and the men on becoming acquainted with these orders were quite overjoyed at ths prospect of taking part m manoeuvres almost similar to those of Saturday, but on better ground. The C and B Batteries of Artillery were the first to don their fighting garb, and by nine o'clock they were on the rnaroh for the spot to which the enemy of Saturday had shifted their warriors. To get close to the enemy, and for the purpose of " smiting them hip and thigh/ 1 a little strategy was used by Captain Hamersley, the Batteries being taken first along the Geraldine Road, and then, coming to a cross road a circuit wasmade, this movement bringing them out at a point about a mile from the enemy, and providing them with good cover to bring up theii 1 guns. The C.V.C. fell m about 9.30, and immediately went out reconnoitring the enemy's position. The Infantry marched out at 10 o'clock, and after the battalion had been told off and advance and rear guards put out, the column set out for the attack, 1 via the Orari road. The officers, we may hero mention, were the same as on Saturday, and the movements during the attack were almost similar to those on that day. The difference was a change of front on the part of the enemy, who on Sunday had fallen back on a position — not at all a strong one, by-the-bye — about a quarter of a mile from the Orari Railway Station, and running almost parallel with the railway line. The column met the Batteries and Cavalry at a cross road about a mile and a-half from the enemy's lines and a halt was. then ordered, and the arms having been piled the men were dismissed for a few minutes so. that they might be quite fresh for the bloodless combat. The echo of the call " fall m" had hardly died before away the men wereonce more on the march, this time m perfect order and ready for any emergency. Soon the desultory the attack had begun m real earnest, and the fire of the skirmishers gave the warning that boom, boom, of the field guns quickly following was evidence that the enemy was Been m large numbers, and that the outposts had been driven m. The Infantry, who had become very impatient to take part m the strife came up smartly under cover of the fire if ol^ the big guns, and taking skirmishing or( )er poured m volley after volley. Tli' d J enM ny was powerless to resist the inipefc'' aOUB charge and the well-directed fire of tbe Batteries, and gradually fell baok vn f '^ tbe attacking force, giving vent to a re*^ o jj British cheer, advanced at the do- a^ e an( j completely routed them, not rae being j e f t to tell the tule — not even r*" jUn a a cam p fire. The Cavalry, during tIIO a ttack, made two brilliant charges, the 'jj na i one especially being most gallant, *'_ n( j a grand spectacle from a civilian'*^ p" om t o f v i ew . As your " special " was w e ii U p w jth the men during the whole att»- t ,j £) jj c a most favorable opportunity of . witnessing everything, and there can be not the slightest doubt that our Volunteers behaved most admirably. The guns were worked far better than on Saturday, both on going into and m action, and " No. 1 " on each gun showed themselves to be possessed of good nerve, and to have the most thorough acquaintance with their duties. Their officers— men who aro rather chary m their praises — expressed themselves as moat pleased with the way the guns were handled, and stated they could not wish for better artillerymen. The Infantry had also, profited by their lesson on Saturday, livery man on bringing his rifle to the shoulder took a cool, deliberate aim, and kept his gun down, showing that he well remembered his officer's command, " Keep steady, and fire low." The C.V.C. behaved most gallantly, kept most perfect order, and rode "to thendeath (?)" like men. After the fight the whole force assembled m front of the railway station, the hour then being 12.30, and were dismissed for lunch, which every man had of course m his haversack. The lunch was done full justice to, the long tramp and the very fatiguing fighting having developed most keen appetites. At 1.30 horses were again put to, and soon all were " Homeward bound." The camp was reached about 3 o'clock, the march home being enlivened by the C Battery and Garrison Bands playing alternately, and by the men singing some lively and well-known airs. On approaching the tents the battalion was halted, and on each company turning to the left Colonel Lean addressed a few wordi to them. It bad, be Mid, been the moit mcoHf

full field diiv the Volunteers of Canterbury had ever lul^i p.nt m. Each movement hml Iven executed with alacrity and exactness, and tho lirins; hud been excellent. He especially praiso Tthe Rifles. who*e coolness whiUt under five had pleased him vo.y much. He then referred to the length ot time the men were m e:»np, and expressed a wish to see the stay prolonged. He, however, was perfectly u**ro thai to enuuiip Uew from Thursday '»'-' hf ' to Mon(lav m ol t; ™ ns all » unili'i- present circumstances at any rate, he could ask, and he was therefore well satisfied. Id conclusion, he hoped if he was spared to meet them all again next Easter, when he should like to spend as profitable a time as he had done this H aster. Capfain and Adjutant Newall then called out the officers, commanded them to dismiss the parade, and then addressing the men said they must, after enjoying a bathe, get their baggage m order and prepare to leave the camp. The men were accordingly dismissed, and by five o'clock everything was m readiness for departure. The Timaru and Temuka men returned home by the last train, and the Northern contingent by special train at nine o'clock. In speaking of yesterday's doings we have not yet mentioned that the attendance of the public wa9 very large. A special and an excursion train ran from Timaru, the former reaching Winchester at 9.45., and the latter, Orari about 12.30, the two trains taking out over 400 people. Owing to the uncertainty as to the day's doings only 80 persons travelled by the special, and they had anything but a pleasant time of it. On getting out at Winchester they were informed that the Volunteers were about to depart to Orari, and as a consequence a rush was made for any kind of vehicle whereby they could get a " lift " to that township. The demand was, however, too great, and as many could not hire a trap for, as the saying goes, " love or money," they had perforce to tramp it. A few decided to wait for the excursion train, which, it was soon known, was to run on to Orari, not stop at Winchester as first announced, but unfortunately the few and the hundreds who came by this train missed the best part of the attack, being but just m time to see the final charge. The excursionists were also much disappointed when it became known that the men after partaking of lunch were to be marched at once back to the camp and dismissed. As the day was beautifully fine, the number of vehicles on the ground was very large, there being for at least a mile m tho rear of the column a dense mass of traps of all descriptions, ranging from the farmer's homely spring cart to the handsome family chariot. The number of horsemen, too, •was such as to create wonder as to where they all came from. During the firing of the* big guns much amusement was caused by the way some of the animals behaved, and though " bolts " were common, no one, so far as conld be learned, was seriously hurt. One or two slight accidents ocenrred, but their effects did not last long. In concluding our final notice of tho Easter encampment of 1885 we desire to express our thanks for the treatment the Press received at tho hands of Colonel Lean and his officers, •without which our duty would not be such a pleasant one, and to bear testimony to the efficiency and physique of our citizen soldiors. A finer body of men that those but lately assembled at Winchester it would be-almost impossible to find, and we sincerely hope that the Volunteers of New Zealand may long continue to enjoy good health, and be both an ornament and shield to. their country. (B* Telegraph.)