CAVALRY INSPECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 90, 26 November 1872, Page 2

CAVALRY INSPECTION.

From a Correspondent, llayixg been present at the inspection of the two Cavalry Corps at To Awamutu, I hope you will forgive me. for sending you a few remarks on their perlbrmanccs at drill. They are made with a friendly feeling to both corps. I may safely say that few districts could turn oufc such a line body of men as I saw present on Friday, last. Their uniform was neat, useful, and soldier-like, the horses Al, and saddlery very good aud in good condition. The Cambridge Corps having been such a short time at drill could not be expected equal to (heir brother Voluutcers of To. Awamutu. Very unfortunately the carelessness of one of the flank men caused the whole corps to get into coufusion, and gave the spectators an idea that they wero. deficient in their knowledge of drill. The To Awa.mutu.men were wry steady, and I may tell the Volunteers that nothing is .-■o likely to give an old soldier a good opinion of a corps as seeing., them steady and silent when on parade. The. Cambridge meg. have evidently not been under such strict discipline, and certainly gave vent to their opinion in too loud a, tone of voice, as a continual buz was going on in their rear tsaops. I do hope that they will correct tins, as they are a really fine body of men, and unless steady and "no talking," thay will never master their drill. In advancing in column the men did not appear to know which iiank they were marching by, and consequently one minute, were open to two or three fce,t intervals in another crushing up, so that one felt for their poor legs. The sword exercise, was fairly, done, though the cuts and points wanted more life in them, aacl, the- time was .hurried when working in their own time. Marching past was good. The officers fail most signally in speaking out to the mpn, they appear afraid of giving tho word of command too loud, which is impossible, It is a very curious thing that-Volunteer officers will never speak up, as it is one of the most necessary things, particularly for Volunteers, that the men should get the command loud and distinct. Tn whccling.the inward men thought of bringing the outward Hank round with them, and consequently the centres of the troops were over shooting the line, making the wheels appear very jbad. Common,,qare ia,all that is necessary, so that the men who have the longest distance to wheel round may have time, and not bo left in, the rear by those nearer the pivot. Some non-commissioned officers checked the men in such a loud to;i,o that 0113 might have mistaken it for a command, instead of modulating their voice sso as to reach their man without attracting general notice. Taking the drill as a whole, both corps deserve praise for the progress they have made, taking into consideration the short time they have for instruction. The Te Awamutu men were evidently much more advanced than their brother volunteers of Cambridge, but I hope next inspection to see them as good as thc.Te Awamutus are now, and "Jackson's Own "-will, I hope, keep the start they have got. I wish every success to each corps, and am sure that when men give up thei.t time and work their horses, as they must at drill, they deserve every praise anfl consideration from their brother settle.is and the government. Ladies of the "Waikato take an interest in the movement, and show that you take a pride in. the gallant gentlemen who.eome forward to defend your hearths and homes, and then the Waikato Cavalry will" increase in numbers and efficiency so that they will be an honour and a credit to our district. The. greatest praise is due to Staff-Sergeant-Afajor Fraser for the manner in which he has brought on the volunteers, and under his able instruction it is their own fault if they do not turn out efficient drills. Xo one but a person who has had experience can tell the test it is of a man's temper to instruct volunteers, and unless an instructor comes down heavy now and then he is no use —he can say as the boy's father said when he flogged hnn, •'lt is a}l for your good." v