ASSAULT-AT-ARMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3719, 2 September 1886, Page 3

ASSA ULT-AT-ARMS.

«. The Assault-at-Arms held last evening m the drill shed to celebrate the opening of tho new drill shed, and the proceeds of which were m aid of tho building fund proved, as we fully expected, to be very successful. Tho shed was m every wat suitable for such an entertainment, the sitting accommodation was excellent, and the attendance of tho public was very good indeed. Lieut. -Colonel Bailey, several visiting, and all tho ofliccrs of the garrison corps wero present m full uniform, and as many of the men of tho corps wero also present m uniform the scene «as a very animated and picturesque one. His Worship tho Mayor (Mr John Jackson) deliverod a short antl very appropriate opening address, and tho Garrisou Band under Mr Wolf played tho overtures m their usual finished etylo Tho band also played at intervals during tho evening, and their mu*io was most enjoyable. Souio of the High School Cadets commenced on the programme proper with the dumbell excroise, under the command of their drill instructor, and went through the exorciso fairly well. Later on three of the cadets gavo a first-cluss performance on a double trapeze, and a large number of the cadets did equally good work on the horizontal and parallel bars. On Iho horizontal bar tho cadets were assisted by a well known late Ashburton High School boy, who showed up well amongst his companions. The biyonet excrcieo by squads of tho Waimate and Timaru Rifles, under Captain •Studliolme and Sergennt Beckingham respectively, was well and smartly gone through, as was also the cutlass cxercieo by the Timaru Kavnls. The boxing, fencing, and sword v. biyonet contest, by amateurs, were not the least attractivo items on the programme, and the cavalry sword exercise, by the C Battery sergeants, corporals, etc , was first rate. Tho Scotch reel and Highland Fling, by wellknown Ashburton amateur dancers fairly carried tho audience away, and they wero as much delighted with the siilors hornpipe, wliieh was danced by a well-known bandsman. Tho hose reel practice by tho Firo Brigade, and the "dummy" rescue created quito a seneation, while tho guv drill and dismounting of the 2 Ipr howitzer by Sergeant Hughes' detachment was voted the beat-executed item on tho programme. Tho funny elemont w-*a introduced at the end of each part, considting of a singlestick melee and a kangaroo race, both of which created great merriment. Taken altogether, tho programme was a lengthy and very good ono, and the way it was carried out must have pleased tho committee very much. For this ovoning there will bean entirely fresh programme, when wo hope to again see a full " drill shed."