THE VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6073, 10 January 1898, Page 1

THE VOLUNTEERS.

E BATTERY. On Saturday afternoon the E Battery of Artillery began its annual camp, the locality being St Leonard's Square, Sumner, a site admirably suited for the purpose. It i 3 dry, well sheltered by trees, large enough to afford ample accommodation for the camp and room for much of tho work to be done, and adjoins a field where various movements can be conveniently practised. An ample supply of water has been provided by the public-spirited action of some Sumner residents, who defrayed the cost of an extension of the water pipes to the site. There were no facilities on the ground for bathing, but an ingenious shower bafch has been constructed under the trees. Toa bell tents for the officers and men have been pitched along the eastern side of the.square„and on the west side are placed a large marquee' as a mess tent for the men, a smaller' one divided into two compartments for the same purpose for the officers and non-commissioned officers, the cook's and store tents and the kitchen. The four guns which were taken to camp— two are ih Wellington undergoing repairs — have been parked near the centre of the ground, which was spacious enough to permit of their being placed at full intervals of 19ft. A fatigue party left town to pitch the camp by the 2.5* p.m. tram; The guns left? by road at 2.45 p.m. Saturday afternoon and evening were spent iii putting the camp into shape. On Sunday a very good beginning was made with the work of 'drill. Some sixty members were present, under Captain Donald and Lieutenant Cowlishaw. The morning gun.. was- fired k at 0.30 a.m. At 6.3o .there was a parade for cleaning the guns ancl fatigue duty ; at 8 a.m., breakfast ; at 11 a.m., a parade for foot drill and musketry instruction; at 1 p.m., dinner : afc 2.15 fulldress parade lor inspection ; at 5 p.m., tea ; 730 p.m., retreat and evening gun ; 9.45 p.m., first post ; 10.15 p.m., last post ; 10.30 p.m., lights out. A competition arranged among the members for a pi_e for fche cleanest gun, was won by No. 3 detachment, that of Corporal Symes. All the guns were found to be in admirable order. In the afternoon a large number of ladie3 and other friends of the corps visited the camp, and were /hospitably entertained with tea and other light refreshments. The camp was iv very good order ; the tents were creditably tidy, and the interiors of some were decorated— in unmilitary fashion — with flowers. The Engineers' Band, bhirty-one strong, under Bandmaster Pooley, came from town and played very pleasingly during the afternoon. It may be noted that the commissariat arrangements were very good, and that all supplies were obtained locally. The following routine was prepared for the week: — Morning Sfiui and reveille, 5 a.m. ;. parade, 5.15 a.m. ; breakfast, 6.30 a.m., tea, 6.30 ; p.m. ; parade, 7.30 p.m. ; first post, 9.45 p.m. ; last post, 10.15 p.m. ; lights out, 10.30 p.m. The men attend to their civilian avocations during the daytime. The work appointed for the mornings was foot drill and musketry instruction, and for fche avenings artillery drill. Staff-Sergeaut-Blajor Purvis attended to give instruction in the former. Application was made for the services of Sergeant-Major .-Burbery, Government instructor' in; gunnery, but so far "no reply has been received. A church parade will bb held on Sunday next, and the camp will break up on the following day.