OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3690, 30 July 1886, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Taking advantage of the half holiday yesterday, the town corps went m for a good afternoon's serviceable drill. The battalion was timed to be told off at 2.30, but owing to Bomo delay on the part of members of the C Battery it was fully 3 o'clock before this was done. The Navals, Rifles, and High School Cadets mustered at Messrs Gracie and Go's

Horse Bazaar, Colonial Bank Buildings, and the O. Battery and Garrison Band at the headquarters, High street. On the latter marching up_ the battalion was told off into four companies — Navals, Artillery, Bifles and Cadets, and after the command " form fours, right," followed by "quick march," the whole of tho men, under the command of Lieut-Colonel Bailey, marched along the Main North Road to the lively strains of the quick marches "Attention" and "Fond Memories" to the Maori Beserve, Waimataitai. There were on parade tho following :— No. Officer of m Men. Command. Garrison Band ... 10 Bandmaster Wolf Naval Artillery ... 38 Captain Meason ' C Battery 45 Lient. Jackson Timaru Rifloa ... 41 Captain White High School Cadeta ... 35 Captain Wilson On arriving at the rcservo the men smartly front formed company, and then after forming quarter column on the leading company, marched to tho level grjund at the northern sido of the paddock and wheeled into line. The companies next performed the general salute, and wero inspected by the officer commanding, who was attended by Major and Adjutant Newall, Major Hamersley and StaffSergeant- Major Jones. This over, the various companies marched past m quick time and at the double. The effect of this was at the beginning marred slightly by the sergeant m charge of the band not having got the " office " and consequently taking his men outside instead of iaaide the points, but afterwards tho colonel instructed him, and matters then proceeded smoothly. The marching was fairly good, and when at the double tho cadets were to be complimented on the excellent way they did thoir work. The line movements were only fairly well done, the Timaru Rifles several times not getting Ibo word of command ul> Uiu pruour Uiuo. As usual the "old corps" — the 0 Battery — did splendid work, and the Navals also showed up well. After a short spell the battalion moved to tfao right m oblique echelon ; formed companies square and prepared to receive cavalry. Then reformed line and retired to the road from which point tho Colonel exercised tho men m tho new form of attack from tho fours deep formation. One of the main improvements m skirmishing drill sought to be obtained by this method is the prevention of men of different companies becoming mixed when tho supports havo reinforced tho skirmishers, and tho reserves havo closed up for the final charge. The system is upon its trial m this colony. It has, wo understand, been discussed by military authorities at Home without, however, having been adopted. The attack proved very successful, but we are of opinion some improvements are necessary before itwill be universally adopted. The attack formation shortly put is thus : — Column m lino ; fours deep ; front rank acts as fighting line ; next rank as its support, at about four paces interval ; rear ranks act as reserve force, closing up for final charge as before-men-tioned. After the attack the battalion was marched back to head-quarters. The whole of the movements occupied a hour and a half ; were gone through thoroughly, and m most cases smartly and well. During the spring and summer months a number of these afternoon drills are to be held, and it is therefore incumbent on all volunteers who heartily desire to see the movement flourish to be careful to attend as many as possible, so that they may become thoroughly well grounded m their duties. On the way back from the ground the band played the marches " Better Days" and "Bclphegor," the music proving very enjoyable. The parade was dismissed shortly after five o'clock. Despite tho fact that the weather was very cold and " raw" tho number of visitors was very large, and they took great interest m the proceedings.