An Inspiriting Exhibition.

Manawatu Herald, 23 July 1896, Page 2

An Inspiriting Exhibition.

On Saturday, the 80th May, a scene of unusual brilliancy and excitement was shown at the Agricultural Hall, London, when there was held a military tournament. There was an immense concourse of spectators. In the first competition " Heads v. Posts," Sergt. Dudley (Berks Yeo.) scored 16 points to 13 for Trooper Farmer (Stafford Yeo.), and 11 Sergeant Gittins (Shrops. Yeo.) Then followed a display by a detachment from H.M.B. Excellent, who mounted and dismounted 9-pounder guns with wonderful celerity. In the Lemon Cutting Competition Sergt. Pye (West Kent Yeomanry), and Corpl. Nicholls (Herts Yeomanry) tied with 11 points each, Corpl. Stephenson (L. and 6. Yeomanry) coming 3rd, with 8. The next item on the programme was a Musical Drive, faultlessly executed by the D. Battery B.H.A. Figures of 8 were " cut," and the most intricate movements performed, the display finishing with a charge in line of the 4 guns the length of the arena. In the Tent Pegging contest Corpl. Stephenson (L. and B. Yeomanry) scored 8 points, Sergt. Miller and Trooper Strange (both Middlesex Yeo.) tieing with 7 points each. In the Biding and Jumping Practice, Sergt. Miller (Middlesex Yeo.) had a nasty fall at the 4tb jump, hia horse turning

r

completely over after catching the hurdle with its 'forelegs. Miller, however, remounted, and amid loud applause, finished his course. The pageant, " The Sons of the Empire " followed, and may be said to excel any military display ever before seen in London. Representatives of the various arms and regiments enter, the van being led by the R.H.A., in virtue of their claim to the right of the line. Then came the Royal Horse Guards, the Scots Greys, 4th Hussars, sth Lancers, Mounted Infantry, Army Service Corps, Mounted Artillery, and cyclists and the infantry followed, headed by the Royal Engineers. Then in order of seniority came the Artillery, Marines, Highlanders, Army Medical Corps, Rifle Brigade, followed by the Indian and colonial- forces, among the first being the 15th and Sad Sikhs and the 4th Punjaub Infantry; while the latter include the Diamond Fields' Horse, the Cape Town Highlanders, and the West Australian- Defence force. The Australians wore handsome uniforms of grey, taeed with scarlet, and large "cavalier" hats, while the Canadians were conspicuous by snow •hoes, which they- carried on their backs. The Band of the Scots Greyi played various marches as the different detachments entered, and the wierd eastern march which heralded the approach of the Indian troops was particularly fine. When the line was formed the naval brigade, bearing the " Union Jack," marched down to the tune of " Rule Britannia," and then the word of command rung out, the troops came to the present, the band played "God Save the Queen," and the audience uncovered and rose, cheer* ing to the echo. As the troops marched and counter-marched the scene was kaleidesoopie, the gold, scarlet, blue, yellow, and red of the turbans of the Asiatics, and the useful if more sombre uniforms of the Colonials forming a picture not readily to be forgotten . The bayonet exercise competition which followed between the Queen's Westminster and Ist and 2nd London Rifles, determined the whole bayonet competition of the tournament, the Ist London being declared winners, and the 20th Middlesex (Artists) 2nd. The " musical ride " of the Scots Greys evoked loud applause, and when they charged the length of the building, forcibly recalling Lady Butler's " Scotland for Ever," the enthusiasm found vent in prolonged cheering. A gymnastic display by non • commissioned officers under training at Aldershot, and a melee mounted, sword v. sword and wrestling on horseback, led up to the final combined display of all arms. At the east end of the hall there is a very good representation of an Afghan village, perched on precipitous cliffs. Mounted scouts enter, dismount and reconnoitre, apparently finding the village deserted. The infantry and engineers arrive, the former encamping and the latter Bin king a well. Fires are lighted, and the main body comes up with maxims and machine gnns mounted on tricycles. Suddenly the enemy is seen among the rock?, and with a rush they are on the unsuspecting inhabitants of the camp. A stiff fight ensues, when in thejnickjpf time up come the blue»jSMujtjk bridge is thrown over "V^^Ey the engineers, over go the saroNWo the tune of " Hearts of Oak," thtr infantry charge to the " British. Grenadiers," a mine is exploded, which blows in the doors of the fort, and to the strains of " God Save the Qneen " a soldier mounts to the top, and hurling down the rebel flag, hoists the " Union Jack."