Easter Encampment.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 242, 13 April 1895, Page 2

Easter Encampment.

I As our readers are aware the Easter

encampment of 1895 of volunteers between Taranaki aud Wellington and also from Napier and Nelson is now being held in one of Mr C Roe's paddochs on the Western side of the Oroua river, and about a mile from Manchertersquare. Inconsequence of the people attracted, Feilding presents an unusua'ly lively appearance aud yesterday the site of the camp waa visited by several hundred people, chiefly from the town and country aiotind Feilding. THE AVEATIIEn kept t rautifully fine during Thursday and Friday, until about 8 o'clock on yesterday evening, when a steady drizzling rain commence 1 to fall, and continued to-day. THE CAMP consists of about one hundred and fifty tents for the accommodation of men and stores. The infantry and cavalry occupy separate paddocka and there are a few hundred yards space between each, which is a convenience to the mounted men as their horses, n hen picketed, are free from interference by the general public. There are sixteen infantry corps numbering 585 men, 5 mounted riflo corps numbering 177, and four bands totalling 87 bandsmoD, with eleven staff officers making a grand total of 860 officers, non-commissioned officers and men. In addition to these a small number of other yolunteers will join their corps aud there will probably be upwards of nine hundred at the review on Monday THE STAFF OFFICEES are Colonel Pitt (of Nelson), who is brigadier in command of the camp. Lieut.- Col. New-all, being chief of staff. The cavalry are under the command of Major Somervillo, with Captain Coleman of the Permanent Militia as liia A.D.C., and Captain Lomax as Adjutant. Captaia Collins (of the Wellington City Rifles), is CimpJAdj ut ant; Captain Anderson, Quaiterinaster ; Captain Coleman (Nelson), Assistant Quartermaster ; Sergeant Major Finn, Camp Sergeanfc-Mnjor ; Sergeant-Major Healey, Brigade Offico Clerk ; Sergeant-Major McMillan Quartermaster Sergeant ; Clerk J. (./.Sullivan, Defence store Department forage issuer. Major Wood, in command of tho .Napier forces, acts as Brigade Major. Tho officers for duty are Captain \Vatt and Lieutenant Noill ami the officers in waiting are Captaiu Bailey and Lieut. Redman. THE COMPANIES in catwp commenced to arrive on Monday hist with a detachment of ten Permanent Artillery gunners under Colonel Nevvall, who made the arrangements for the camp, such sis erecting the tents. The main body, however, did not commence to arrive until Thursday evening, when the Manaw.itu Mounted Rifles (40 strong), under Captain Dunk, marched in at about G o'clock. The next companies to go in were the Manchester Rifles (47 strong), under Captain Kirton, and the Marton Royai Rifles (34 strong), under Captain Sutcliffe, who marched in at about 9 o'clock. Shortly lifter 3 o'clock on Friday morning special trains arrived from Wellington and Taranaki and Wanganui with volunteers, while the Napier and Palmerston men arrived by the 7,15 train and the Nelson contingent by a special train shortly after one o'clock p.m. The Alexandra Cavalry inarched in at about 11 a.m., having ridden from Wanganui, stopping at Bulls on Thurs day night. The following are the companies, with their strength, not already mentioned ; — Heretaunga Mounted Rifles, 23 strong, Captain Johnston ; Wellington City Rifles, 44 strong, Captain Collins ; Wellington City Guards, 46 strong, Captain Patterson ; Taranaki Rifles, 46 strong, Captain Bailey ; Hawera Mounted Rifles, 37 strong, Lieutenant Derrom ; Wairoa Mounted Rifles, 39 strong, Lieutenant Thurston ; Alexandra Cavalry, 38 strong, Captain Watt ; Wanganui Naval Artillery, 13 strong, Lieutenant Neill ; Wanganui City Rifles, 38 strong, Captain Watt ; Palmerston Rifles, 42 strong, Captain Hall ; Napier Naval Artillery, .11 strong, Captain Smith ; Napier Rifles, 33 strong, Captain Chicken ; Hastings Rifles, 35 strong, Lieutenant Weir ; Nelson Naval Artillery, 41 strong, Captain Simpson ; Nelson City Rifles, 39 strong, Captain Jeckell ; Stoke Rifles (Nelson), 28 strong, Captain Harkness ; Waimea Rifles, 38 strong, Captain Wratt. The bands were : — Wellington Garrison, 23 strong, Bandmaster Herd ; Wanganui, 21 strong, Bandmaster Richardson ; Napier, 23 strong, Bandmaster Hawkins ; Nelson Garrison, 21 strong, Bandmaster Neaper. ON FRIDAY morning, at 10 o'clock, the companies then in camp fell in and the infantry were told off in battalions and inspected by Colonel Newall. After some batallion movements had been performed, the Colonel called the officers to the front, and, after reading a statement of the companies present, complimented them on the strength of their companies, appearance, cleanliness of uniforms and accoutrements, and desired that the officers would convey to the men his expressions of approval. He was quite aware recruiting had been active, but he believed, by what he could see, that the class of men now enlisted were of the right sort, strong, able-bodied, and intelligent. The company commanders then took charge and exercised the men in company drill until 12 30, when the recall from private parade was sounded for dinner. At about 3 o'clock the " fall in " was again sounded for all but the Nelson contingent. The infantry were formed into two battallions and exercised in battallion drill for upwards of an hour by Captain Wood (in charge of No. 1) and Captain Collins (in charge of No. 2 bataliion) At about 3 o'clock the cavalry " struck" camp and marched oat to a locality near Makino, whjre they camped for the night on Port street, near Mr Kichardson's house. Outpost duty was performed last ni^ht and this morning-, but, owiDg* to the xxia, they have not been able to g-o through the programraq intended. 1 hey returned to camp at aoout one s'clock this afternoon. THE NELSON CONTIis'ISKNT (172 strong), under Major Franklin, Captain Littlejohn, and Captain Simpson, marched out of the Camp at iboufc 6 o'clock for outpost and'rejonnoiteiing duty, talshxjj up positions around the town. They re-

turned to camp at about 8 o'clock. NO. 1 BATTALION with Maj or Franklin in command, and Captain Simpson Right Major and Captain Littlejohn as Adjutant, consists of — Wanganui Navals, N<lsoa Navals, Stoke Kifles, Waimea liifles, Napier City Kifles, Napier Navals, Hastings Bifles. NO. 2 BATTALION under Captain Collins, with Captain Watt as Right Major and Captain Patterson as Adjutant-, consists of — Wellington City Rifle?, Wellington Guards, Marton Royals, Manchester Kiflos, Taranaki Rifles, Wanganui Rifles, Palmerston Rifles. THE CAVALRY On the arrival of the 12.15 p.m. train today the Hon. K. J. Seddon, Premier, who was a passenger from Wellington, inspected the cavalry, now attending the Encampment here, -which had been drawn up near the railway station. Having passed along the lines the Premier addressed the officers and men, in a highly complimentary manner, expressing the pleasure he felt at finding the men so well mounted and equipped, and bearing so soldierly an appearance. He was sure that if ever they were called upon they would give a yery good account of themselves, and concluded by stating that lie doubted if a better mounted detachment could be found anywhere. INCIDENTS AT THE CAMP. Up to the present; there hare been no accidents, and the men all seem to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The usual lively pranks are plajed, and a room attached to the canteen was used as a concert room. During 1 yes« terday afternoon an improptu band was got up amongst the Nelson Navals, who attracted some attention and tended to make the time pass pleasantly with their novel band, consisting of big drum, two side drnms ; accord eon, triangle, and cjmbils. To this music a number ol comic songs and choruses were sung by the Navals. While these songs were going on a voluntary collection was taken up in imitation of the Sal ation Army, and it is worshy of note that the money obtained was handed over to a member of the Salvation Army who happened to be present. 'Ihe Navals were not long on the ground before they had taken possession of a horse, which they ro le about the c.inip in true sailor fashion, much to the amusement oi onlookers. When tho Alexandra Cavalry arrive! at tho camp Col'inei Ncwall comp'imented them on what he termed their soldierly action in riding through from Wanganui* THIS MOBNIXO the companies "fell in" at 9,30 and after being drilled for a shorb time marched through the town about 10.30., at which time it was raining heavily. After being exercised ia oufcpost duly they returned to camp shortly after 12 o'clock. The wet weather has caused the alteration of the plans of manoeuvring aud it is uncertain what will be done during the xem .under of the stay in camp. Tomorrow morning Church of England services will be held at the camp by the Rev Innes Jones at 9.30 and the usual camp routine will be gone through during the day. On Monday a sham fight will probably be held on Mr F. Y. Lethbridge's property during the morning and it 13 supposed a review will be held in the afternoon in one of the paddocks opposite the camp, but at the time of our going to press this afternoon the locality had not been definitely decided on. The " march past " will probably be about 3 o'clock.