AT ASHBURTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10927, 17 November 1913, Page 1

AT ASHBURTON.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES READY TO 60 NORTH ON ViEDWESDAY. Following the meeting of Ashburton farmers held a fortnight ago, 6ays the Ashburton "Guardian," to take steps to enrol special constables and free labourers for service at Lyttelton if occasion should unfortunately , ariso, leading farmers throughout- the county were canvassed and 'circularised. The result has been that over one hundred men have volunteered to place themselves at the disposal of the authorities for the maintenance of law and order, whilst it was ascertained that many mora would at once enrol if tho position became more serious. It is understood that Mr John Studholme was asked to take command of tho Ashburton contingent. If Mr Studholme consented, it was resolved to confine the number to be held in readiness to one hundred in the meantime, and to divide this contingent into four troops of twenty-five each, these troops to be commanded by Messrs John Findlay (Lowcliffe), John Grigg (Longbeach), George S. Hardy (Rakaia), and Henry J. C. harper (Hackthome). On Wednesday a confidential circu-

lar was " issued in tho following terms:— "The Ashburton ' contingent will either—(l) Assemble ' by road at Rakaia, on the evening of Monday, November 17," and inarch through to Cliristclwrch next day; or \?) proceed to Christchurch direct-by train on November 17, or - on .the nrst subsequent day on which trucks are available. Tho procedure to be adopted depends on instructions received by me from headquarters, and will not be known until to-morrow (Thursday) at earliest. Members must be prepared for either alternative. The latest authoritative information can, at -any time, be had by ringing up'Mr J. B. Christian/ telephone No. 90, Asliburton. . '•"The contingent will be divided into four troops, as far as possible grouped in accordance with the different districts, and', will be, commanded by Messrs John Findlajy J. C. N. Grigg, George Hardy and Henry Harper, respectively. Every member will be placed under the orders of one of the above leaders for receipt of further instructions in connection with the journey to Christchurch. Each troop leader will place himself in touch with the. telephone at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, and- will give final instructions to each member placed temporarily' or otherwise, under his comr mand. Previous" notice will be sent to all telephone bureaus within the county giving the location of each troop leader. ."It "is imperative that . you personally attend your nearest telephone • burea-u at.3 p.m. ; on Saturday, November 15, and get into personal touch with Mr' —— for definite orders with regard to your journey to Christchurch. • " Members will require' to bring into' camp overcoats, blankets, waterproof sheet, change of breeches and underclothes, extra pair of boots and socks, Bpurs, towel ; and the following horse equipment, in addition to saddle and bridle, namely;— House cover, nosebag, head-stall and tie-rope for horse lines, brushes and cleaning material for horses and gear, and straps in saddle for overcoats. All baggage should be packed in cornsacks, securely fastened, and labelled with name of owner, and addressed to Christchurch. Look to your horse's shoes. ■ "JOHN STUDHOLME, "O.C. Ashburton Contingent Mounted Special Constables." : While no official information on thu point is available, and all requests far such are politely refused on the ground that the Christchurch Executive ancl the local committee are specially anxious to do or isay nothing that would have an irritating tendency at a moment of tension, it is understood says the journal, that the orders in the circular have had to be altered so that the Ashburton contingent . will leave Ashburton by the 11.15 a.m. train ou Wednesday for Christchurch. : All tho men will bo mounted, and the horses will be conveyed by the same train. It is still devoutly hoped, however, that itmay not be necessary to embark this force. A certain number of men in the county have volunteered for service as free labourers at but no steps • to enrol them havo been taken as yet. It is expected that enough men will be available in Christchurch. itself.