Notes on the Easter Encampment

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 123, 6 April 1893, Page 3

Notes on the Easter Encampment

[By Blank- Cartridge. [ Up in the mornin' 's no 1 for me : Up in the mornin' early ; I'd rather gan« supperless to my bed Than rise in the mornin' early. This sentiment may be all very fine for folks who live in luxurious ease, but it won't do for soldiers, or, ns people prefer to call us, volunteers. Sharp at 4 o'clock on Friday morning those of the Manchester Rifles who intended to go to the encampment at Johnsonville were assembled on the railway platform, while those others who had promised to go but whose hearts failed them at the last moment, were snugly ensconced in their beds — the proper place for them. The men soon settled themselves into the cool and airy truck, supplied by the Authorities, where they made themselves as comfortable as possible ; while the officers were packed into a stufly little first-class carriage, which was filled to overflowing with perspiring men, and the stifling fumes of tobacco-smoke. As far as real comfort w.'nt the men were the best off. On arriving at Palmerston North there was plenty of time for all hands to get a good breakfast, which most of them did. The " Cafe de Paris " was well patronised, and deservedly so, becanse the cooking and attendance was really first-class, which reflects favourably on the proprietor, Mr Black. Having abandoned - without the smallest feeling of regret— onr timber truck, we were all placed in comfortable carriage?, provided by the AVellingtonManawatu Railway Company, and a few hours rapid transit brought us to the scene of our intended operations— the village of Johnsonville. I have no intention of giving any description of that pretty little place, nor of the manners and customs of the inhabitants, because I saw very little of them ; but what I did see convinced me that they are, for the most part, well clad, good looking, and well fed — and what more can any body want to make them happy. The several companies quickly fell in on the railway platform, whence they were inarched on to the plateau, where the tents were pitched, and halted. It was soon discovered that • 4 first come, first served " stands good always, for there were no tents left for us. However, the Napier Rifles gave up a couple, so we were soon under canvas, cleaning and pipeclaying our arms and accoutrements, which had been somewhat shorn of their brightness by the journey, and a slight sprinkling of rain which met us on our arrival. In the afternoon good work was done in company and battalion drill, and the physique of the men on parade showed to great advantage, especially those composing the country corps. The Manchester Hides amalgamated with the Napier Rifles, the commanding officers of the respective corps, Captain Chicken and Lieutenant Kirton, both being old friends and campaigners. This made things very pleasant, and, as both corps were provided with excellent cooks, " all went merry as a marriage bell," at meal-times especially. A detailed account of the military evolutions performed would be uninteresting to the general reader, and those who took part in them already know all about them. I will say, however, that every man did his level beat, which made easy work for the Commander, Colonel Newall, and his subordinates. By the way, it struck me that Colonel Newall had a great deal too much to do, but he did everything well. I saw him roll ovor a man who was annexing hay from a passing cart (the Sybarite wanted to make a pillow of it) and in the evening haul down the flag placed near his tent. He superintended a court-martial, or received an application for leave from a sub. with the same equanimity. He saw the first man out of the trains aud the last man in when the encampment was finished, and, while being strict and exacting in discipline, he added greatly to the respect and esteem in which he was already held by all branches of the forces under his command, by his invariably urbanity and good hninonr. " Give a dog a bad name and you may as well hang him." It is a melancholy fact that where there is any mischief done in or near the camp it is put down to the Navals and the crimes committed in one camp, years ago perhaps, are continually raked up against them. They would appear to be unable to resist the temptations of ducks, sucking pigs, or cabbages. Oh dear, it was " pretty to see " the faces of the men when Colonel Newal), with a tone of wild expostulation aud gentle sorrow in his voice, said ; " Now, men, I hear that sonic of you came back into camp yesterday afternoon with some esculent vegetables called cabbages and cauliflowers ostentatiously borne aloft, which had been collected from a garden on an adjacent height (there are more adjacent heights round Johnsonville than any place I ever saw. I say this, not the gallant Colonel) and rumours have reached me of a captured sucking pig having been brought " into camp," of course everybody knew he meant the navals as the offenders. The best of the joke was that the cabbages had been donated to the men by the owner, who, as a return for his kindness was invited, with his wife and family, to dine at the camp next day. The porker was hidden in A temporary grave, where no doubt he lies to this tlay 1 because the cook was afraid to exercise his culinary art upon tbe body as the " sweet odour " would have betrayed him, and thus delivered him and all concerned over to justice. It wasn't the navals who bad it either. The fault I find with tbe navals is this, they have an idea that the correct thing for them to do is to emulate the obsolete II Jack Ashore." This is a mistake, for they only succeed in " acting the goat," which is silly. Man-'o-war Jack is now a sober and very respectable individual, thanks to the encouragement which is given to temperance oo board of Her Majesty's ships of war. On Sunday we had Divine service, and had the pleasure of hearing an excellent and appropriate sermon from the Venerable Archdeacon Tuckey. The singing was led by a couple of brass instruments, the players of which had quite new and, apparently, independent notions as to how the tunes of " Onward Christian Soldiers " and the {{rand " Old Hundred " should go. When J heard the meek and mild murmer in which the men sung, I felt astonished. »• What ! " I said to my self, " can these be the men who made the ' Welkin ring and the wild hills echo ' with their powerful lungs last night when they drank • Sweethearts and wives,' and sang songs with fearful and wonderful choruses" They were the same men, but were under the iron hand of discipline, and controlled by respect for the fine-looking old clergyman who had been so earnest in his desire and hope that they would all be good citizens, as well as good soldiers should the occasion ever arise for them to do their duty in defending their hearths »ud homes against an invading foe. After dinner the camp began to fill with visitors from Wellington, who either arrived by train or drove up in private carria«es I saw " attached "to one of the latfer 'a manservant in livery— or what looked very like it— a half-hearted sort of affair ' A long hat, but without the usual cockade, surmounted an intelligent face which had opened " many a time and oft ' to receive the " meally murphy of dear Q ld Ireland. A brown coat, with the other continuations, completed the picture, which waa a sad one to nap ; and 1 Hinttered to myself, as I turned sadly away, •' Another wrong to Ireland." To he Continued.