VOLUNTEERING.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12507, 20 October 1904, Page 4

VOLUNTEERING.

THE CAMP AT WINCHESTER. Yesterday morning preparations were made for the field day on Mr Studholme's property, Kakahu. Maps of the country over which operations were to take place had been prepared by Lieutenant Burn, and the officer commanding the battalion had in company with Captains Gabites and | Studholme, visited on the previous day the ground on which the war game was to lake place. Rules and instructions for the conduct of operations were given to each officer and the Sotuh Canterbury Mounted Rifles were detailed to be the defending party. They iiad to occupy a ridge of country, and hold it against an attack by the remainder of the battalion. Mr Budd !had packed up rations for the menl and having been supplied with these and filled their water bottles with tea or other liquid refreshments. Captain Gabites and his men left to occupy their defensive position at 8.30 a.m., the attacking force leaving camp about an hour later. Colonel Bauchop, Officer Commanding the District, who arrived at Winchester by the 12.45 p.m. train, was ;akea out to the scene of operations by motor car, and there inspected the men. Afternoon tea for the battalion was kindly provided by Mr Studholme. In the small hours of Wednesday the -rder'y officer succeeded in passing a small 'isguised attacking party, under Captain billies, through the lines, and bidding liem good night, left them to their own •weac will. Presently the sound of firing jom the direction of the Wees aroused the tired troopers, many of whom had not 'ong undergone the fatigue of a smoke concert. The bugle soon rang out, sumiiunisg them to their posts, and the most -if the corps responded with alacrity. One squadron, however, was short of ab :ut 16 men, and the officer commanding, to m;\ke an'example, went round the tents and took the names of all those who had not responded to the bugle call for the "night alarm." The appearance of some men on parade l was not exactlv what would be termed full dress. One officer rushed hastily out with his men, clothed > only in a pair of trousers and a singlet; but with a sword girt round <his waist. Boots, tunics, and caps were considered

unnecessary by many of the men, who •howed great eagerness to be at. their posts, uid a still greater eagerness to get back bed. '