EASTER MANCEVRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2172, 23 April 1908, Page 1

EASTER MANCEVRES.

WITH THE GISBORNE TROOPS. A ROUGH EXPERIENCE. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Wo left the Bay at 7 o’clock on Wednesday night by the Toroa. We bad a very good trip down, and, with two or tlireo exceptions, there was very little sea-sickness. We arrived at Port Ahuriri at .daylight on Thursday morning, and, having breakfasted, wo marched to tho Napier Garrison Hall, where we were dismissed for tlie day. Wo left Napier at 7.30 on Thursday night. Although tho night journey was very tiring, wo had to make tlie best of it, and slept on tho seats and on tho floor. Several companies joined tho train on the way, and by the time we arrived at Ngauhauranga, a fow miles outside of Wellington, there must have been about a thousand troops on board. It was a verv grimy and dishevelled lot of moil that, tumbled out of the train on Friday morning to march to tho camp ut Johnsonville. Tho inarch seemed a very long one, more so to hungry men, but with some good songs to help us along we at- length came in sight of the camp. Arriving there we woro dismissed to our tents, and we then had a good look around. The tents woro pitched in a splendid position on a low plateau, surrounded by bills, and the cavalry wore separated a little from tho infaiitry. Nothing was done on Friday, and we were left to amuse ourselves as wo liked. The ice cream man got a little attention, but lie was left alone when tho football was set rolling. It was good fun for 200 or 300 men, but many hard knocks were received, two men having their arms broken. It was not to bo all fun in camp, however, as wo learnt to our cost the next day. Tho camp at Johnsonville was that of the Red Force, and our duty was to prevent the Blue force, who were camped at Porirua, from capturing Wellington. Oil Friday night it rained in torrents, and Wellington kept up its reputation in regard to wind. AVe marched out in the rain on Saturday morning to take up our position about 10 miles from tho camp, through the slush, and it was bitterly cold. We carried enough rations tor oiglit hours (tlireo biscuits and a slice of bread) besides our water bottle aiid overcoat, and when these got wet it was no light weight. All the afternoon we watched for the opposing force, but they did not put in an appearance, and at S o’clock wo commenced our return journey. AVet to tho skin, and nearly perished with cold, we arrived iack at camp at about 10 o’clock. The men went to bed straight away, determined to have a good sleep, but we were rudely awakened on Sunday morning at 3 o’clock, and wero told that we had to march about 10 miles over tlie hills to take up a position before daybreak. After only getting to bed at 10 o’clock, we did not relish leaving the warm blankets, but we had to obey orders. Shivering with cold ,ive commenced our march at 3.45 a.m., having had a scramble for a drink of coffee. After marching for a little while we found that we were on the wrong track, and we had to turn and march in a different direction. AVe arrived at our position shortly after daybreak, and having made our breakfast off cold meat and bread, sentries were placed on tho hilltops, and we commenced our weary wait for the opposing force. Dinner was something like breakfast, only there was Jess meat and but a. few biscuits. All day Sunday we watched, but the Blues did not put in an appearance, except for a small party, who retreated after a brisk skirmish. At 9 o’clock that night we received orders to vacate our position, and proceed back to camp. At 5 o’clock next morning we were aroused, and learnt that 400 of tho opposing force had broken through our lines at 1 o’clock that morning, near the place where we had been stationed the day before. Had we stayed in our position, probably they would not have got through. However, the Blues won, and AA 7 ellington was captured. On Easter Monday morning wo were sent out, and had a skirmish wjth the remainder of the Blues, and thus ended the manoeuvres. AVe marched back to camp and packed up our things, and left to have, an afternoon in Avellington. AVe left AVellington on Monday night, and duly arrived in Gisborne yesterday morning, only too glad to get hack after undergoing 30 many hardships. Many of those present, who could speak from experience, declared that these manoeuvres wore as rough, if not rougher, than those of actual warfare. For instance, the Post and Telegraph Rifles were out for 43 hours at one stretch without a bite to eat, but this was not a common occurrence. The Gisborne men came through it very well, and the commanding officers were very pleased with the manner in which-wo carried out our duties. The Easter manoeuvres at Johnsonville will be remembered for a long time, for it lias done all who took part in them a great deal of good.