THE VOLUNTEER DEMONSTRATION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1606, 14 April 1879, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER DEMONSTRATION.

[Press Special Wire.] Invercargill, April 12. The volunteer demonstration up to this time has been a great success. In the_ morning the weather was not very assuming, but as the day advanced it turned out better, and the rain which was feared kept off. Last night the volunteer visitors, numbering considerably over a thousand, on arrival by the train at six o’clock, were told off to the different establishments according to arrangements which had been previously made for doing so, by a volunteer committee. Here many amused themselves by attending a grand sacred concert held in Sloan’s Hall, Dee street, while the greater number were to be seen about the streets. This morning the whole corps, numbering twelve or thirteen hundred, mustered in Deo street, opposite the Athenmum, whore a number of movements were gone through. All the visitors were present, but there were a number of absentees from the local corps. Having been formed into battalions, Major Wales field officer of the day commanding, the guard, comprising the local rifles and other corps formed in the usual way for the ceremony of trooping the colors. This was done by the non-commissioned officers marching to the front to the saluting point, turning inwards, and then halting in front of the line. The officers in command of the guard having taken ~ost the while, they, with the non-commissionoi officers, marched in slow time and inspected their respective guards. The right guard then marched to the left of the line to receive colors from the non-commissioned officers in charge. A general salute was eiyen and the colors trooped, carried by the junior commissioned officer in front of the line from left to right, the guard accompanying and passing between the ranks. The band, in their part of the ceremony, bore themselves creditably and sustained their reputation as instrumentalists. Afterwards the whole marched to the Caledonian Grounds, where some battalion movements were gone through under the respective commanders. Sports were then commenced and lasted the remainder of the day, it being nearly dark when the last event came off. The prizes won by the volunteers wore as follows 220 yards uon-commissioned.officers race ; prize watch and chain, Wood (Tcmnka). Putting the stone ; first prize, 30s : second, 255. Matheson (East Taieri), 1 ; Mutter (Cromwell), 2. Vaulting with pole ; first prize, 40s : second, 20s. Stevenson (East Taieri), 1 ; Proon (East Taieri), 2. Hurdle race, 2io yards; first prize, 40s; second, 20s ; Leith (Dunedin City Guards), 1 ; Mutter (Cromwell), 2. Thera were four military bands in attendance, and their performances grca’ly enlivened the proceedings. The Dunedin bauds and Captain Hill Jack’s company of volunteers were much admired. A Church parade takes place to-morrow, and on Monday there will be a review and sham fight. April 13.

There was a grand muster of the volunteers this morning for church parade The three battalions fell in in Tay street, with their bands discoursing sacred music, and after some few evolutions were dismissed in companies to attend whatever place of worship they thought proper. There was a tremendous rush to St. John’s Episcopalian, the church being literally [crowded to the doors, not a few holders of family sittings being unable to obtain admittance. St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church was much favored, and next St. Andrew’s. In the afternoon numbers of the Volunteers left town, some for the Bluff, others in various directions to see the country. The battalions are to parade early to-morrow preparatory to starting for the review ground at Maekarew, and a great day is anticipated.