EASTER ENCAMPMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7677, 9 April 1903, Page 3

EASTER ENCAMPMENTS.

(Faoji Ouu Coßnsai'ONi>*NT.]i

WELLINGTON, April 9. The- Wellington Volunteer Battalion is much pleased Vri&h the Jv.isUh* manoeuvres planned for riiem by Colonel Collins. Thereare critics who declare that the optnitionst ought to bo close, to the city, to teach i<he men their proper work of defending it. But the idea is that an enemy has landed n.t Foxton and wants to strike at Wellington with the railway lino to help him, and itis good sense to hci-icl that Foxtail is a. more likely spot, for a-n enemy to so.le.ct. Yuan any other, at all events o-n the west coast. Colonel Collins's idea is to destroy tLc. railway and force fhe enemy t.o advance by the coast, if he advances at all. Before he begins, Colonel Collins inte-nn? to cross lihe river and light a decisive 'bat lie with hi,m. Should ha hi foiled ho. will retire by the con.Mu with his land flank protected by t-hc-bi<; Makeura Swamp. The local Volunteers are the enemy, and they are as pleased as the Wellington man at the work. T!i>e orders here are very compreftftnvive a.nd. complete, and if duly carried out, the :non> will leani something more t'haai tho>> usual "senbry go" and march-paivt, with cnnipi fire.? and smoke concerts at nicrht. Some.

effort- was made to confine the ojxirariens to lines where t'he.'i'e are no publichousos, but Colonel CWilins did not see his way to stand dictation, and tflio poor soldier will not be deprived of his beer. The Navals here are d [."appointed tbi they «re not included on the programme.

The Taranaki Ihißfctry Battalion will go into camp to-night at Hawera. Eigiit corps will be represented.