ASSAULT-AT-ARMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3412, 3 September 1885, Page 3

ASSAULT-AT-ARMS.

The Assault-at-Arms, which took place at tlie Tlieutro Roynl last evening, wos o completo success j bo much so that il even exceeded tho most sanguine — not " sanguinary," as somo peoplo might infer from tho obove heading — expectations of those who hod token a very nctivo port m getting it up. Thc Theatre was well filled, both up and down str.irs, and the showy uniforms of officers and men of tbo different Volunteer Corps, interspersed among the moro Bombro and peaceful looking dross of tho civilians, made up a picture but raroly scon. Among the officers present we noticed Lioutcnont-Coloncl Bailey, ollicer m command of tho South Canterbury Volunteer District ; Major J. A. Youn" of Winchester j Coptain Laing-Menson. of the Timnru Naval Artillery) Captain J. W. White, of the Timaru Riflo Volunteers ; Captain T. Amos, of tlio Timoru Firo Brigado, and most of tho Lieutenants and junior commissioned and non-commissioned officers of tho different corps. The ontertainment was commencod by the Timaru Garrison Bond, undor tho baton of Conductor Rowles and the leadership of Bandmaster Herd, playing that essentially military und spirit-stirring pieco " Tcl-el-Kebir " ill n manner that pleased ovoryono and colled forth great applause. Thirteen members of tho C Battery thon camo on, und under tho command of Sergeont- Major Jones went through tho dumb-bell oxorciso vory neatly indeed. Here and thero a fault was noticeable, but considering tho largo number m tho squad, tho result wos satisfactory. A company of tlie 'Timaru Rifles, m charge of Lioutonant R, Ferguson, '

were put through tho manual exercise, doing it m such an accurate way, that they were cheered to the echo. Thc men wero m full dress, looked very soldier-like, and performed tho exercise m a way that would not have disgraced a liko number of the Regulars. Some boxing between Professor Lea and a member of the Tiniaru Rifles followed, and pleased tho audience very much. Lco'b opponent was no novice, and the clever way he tapped Lea about tho face called for loud applause. Three three minute rounds wero indulged m, and m the courso of them excellent science was shown, on tho part of the Professor especially. Some pretty play was shown m a bout with foils between Sergeant -Major Jones and an amateur, but the " man of war" was rather too Bkilled m their use for his opponont. A squad of tho C.V.C. next appeared, and under the command of Sergeant Lindsay, went through tho sword exerciee and pursuing practice. The men acquitted themselves well, going through the exercises neatly, and keeping fairly good time. S.'rgeant-Major Jones next showed the audience how well, and with what little apparent exertion, the Indian club exercise can be gono through. Every movement was m exact unison, and the way he performed the elbow exercises nnd circled tho clubs, was certainly deserving of thc applause that followed. Chief Petty Officer Head then marched m a round dozen of the Timaru N avals, and after telling them off put them through the bayonet exercise. Tho way this was gone through surprised everybody, as taken altogether it was excellent. The bayonet exercise is a very showy one, especially when — as it was by the Navals— performed accurately. In the tng of war the C Battery rnn awny with the Navals, much merriment resulting, ft was the nu'lee that followed, however, which " brought dewn tho house." On the curtain rising, it was seen thnt Lieutenant Jackson and threo men of the C Battery wero opposed to Lieutenant Begg ancl a like number of the Navals. After saluting, at it they went with singlesticks, their heads being protected by the usual head gear. The fight waxed very warm, and the Artillerymen were at last driven back to a rovine, whero they were reinforced. Soon after this one of the Navals fell, his right leg having been badly shuttered bya shol from one of his opponents' ctrbines. In o twinkling Battery Surgeon P. Macintyre was on tho sceno with his Ambulance Corps, and when the Burgeon had put on a tourniquet and splints the wounded man was placed on a stretcher and taken from the field. Lator on the wounded Naval made his nppcarance on the stage, with a wooden leg and crutches. The mi'le'e nnd lho work dono by tho ambulance pleased tho onlookers immensely. The selection "II Trovatore," played by the Garrison Band m their usual good style, opened the second part of the entertainment, ancl wns followed by Sergeant-Major Jones going through the infantry sword exercise. Tho C Battery next showed how well they can perform the bayonet exercise, and that they succeeded was quite evident from tho loud applause that followed. Boxing by middle-weights (members of tho Timaru Rifles) gave the onlookers plenty of excitement, unci was followed by six sergeants and two corporals of tho Battery going through the sword exercise. This was decidedly to most people's mind the chief featuro of tho evening. Each mnn did his best, and the lot worked together like a piece of machinery. Ihe single-stick encounter and the bayonet v. sword contest, by amateurs, were good, but the sword feats that followed eclipsed them completely. These feats caused no end of wonder. First of all Lieutenant Jackson and Sergeant-Mojor Jones cut bars of lead, some Hin m diamoter. Next the Sergeant sliced o slieep m two, ond the Lieutenant did the cleverest feat of cutting a potato m two whilst enclosed m a handkerchief, without cutting the handkerchief. The feats were decidedly good, and tho nudienco were more than gratified with them. Two heavy weight amateurs next gave tho best exhibition of boxing of the evening. The mon were well matched, and used their hands inn very scientifiewny. Tho rounds were warm ones, both men entering into their work con amore. A boxing melee commenced m the most mirth-provoking way by an Artilleryman ancl Naval wound up the entertainment, nnd sent the audience homo m the best of spirits. In concluding this notico, ne must not forget to add that tho Assault-at-Arms wns taken part m by no fewer than 140 men, nnd that the success it achieved was duo to the indofatig»blo exertionß of the officers of the different corps.