CITY GUARDS.

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

CITY GUARDS.

The annual company camp of the Christshurch City Guards began on Saturday afternoon at New Brighton, the camping ground being Dr Weld's paddock, which Prom the frequency with which it has been used for similar purposes, has been denominated the "military paddock." A party, under Lieutenant Bishop, went to New Brighton by the 1.15 p.m. tram to pitch tents md make other arrangements, and other members of the company followed as they jould leave their work till, at night, there were forty in camp. . A dozen bell tents and . marqupe — for a mess tent for the nonjommissioned j officers and men — were pitched. Three of the bell tents, including me for use as a mess tent, were for the iccominodation of the officers, one for the instructor, Staff-Sergeant Major Barritt, ;ind the colour-sergeant, six for the other members of the corps, one for the cook and stores, and one was devoted t6 the accommodation of members' bicycles — a very necessary provision. Sunday morning was spent in completing the camp arrangements, and in the afternoon general leave was granted. Breakfast was served at 8 a.m., dinner at 1 p.m., and tea at 5 p.m. The whole of the provisions were obtained from the local h*adespeople, and the quality of the rations and the cooking were entirely satisfactory. The attendance was about .fifty-eight. Captain' Cresswell was in command, with Lieutenants Sandford and Bishop. Lieutenant Grant, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, is attached to the company during the encampment. The men will devote the morning to company drill and rifle exercises, and the evenings to outpost duty, the attack and other work in the open. On Friday evening the staff of the North Canterbury battalion will pay a visit to the camp, and on Sunday afternoon next the corps will receive visitors. The camp will break up on the following day. The Christ's College Rifles will go into camp at Mr Monck's paddock, Sumner, on Saturday, Jan. 22. At the parade of the Kaiapoi Volunteers on Friday evening there was an attendance of about forty, and Sergeant-Major Purvis put the men through a course of instruction in attack, formation, and guard mounting. Captain Millar and ColourSergeant Blackwell were also present.