Volunteer Notes.

Manawatu Herald, 25 February 1902, Page 2

Volunteer Notes.

Sunday in camp. The day was all that could be desired, bright, warm, and a gentle breeze blowing, and everything was carried out in a moat satisfactory manner showing how well, one and all, worked together. We have had the pleasure to notice the same harmonious working at the Volunteer ball, and it is very pleasing to see there is no going back on the record the company then made for themselves. The Foxton Rifles ace “ playing the game,” working

for the good of all and not for single praise. Continue this and she company will become one of the best in the battalion. Sunday was commenced with the attendance of the company at church, having marched from the camp headed by the Band under bandmaster Ennis. The first halt was called at the Church of England, at which the major part of the company attended, the remainder, under Captain Hunter marching to the Roman Catholic Church. The churches were packed. After service the company reformed and returned to camp, which they reached just before the dinner bugle call. Owing to the number of visitors tfie officers messed separately, and were joined at dinner by Captains Mounsey and Jack, Lieuts. Louisson and Morgan, Staff Sergeant-Major Colclough, and Messrs Thynne and Walter Robinson, Dr Graham and the Mayor. After dinner a few graceful words were said at the pleasure of meeting one another and for the success of the corps. It may be just said here that the officers are extremely hospitable to all their guests, and they secured the best of caterers.

At the invitation of QuartermasterSergeant Ennis we inspected the dinner supplied to the non-com-missioned officers and privates, and a better dinner could not be wished for. As a matter of routine the officer of the day called in and asked if there were any complaints and received none. At the break-up of camp we are likely to hear more about the caterer, as perhaps he has served not wisely but too well. At present all are well pleased. A very large number of ladies flocked out in the afternoon, accompanied by their boys, except in the numerous cases were their boys were in khaki, when they watched with interest the evolutions which were executed for more than an hour.

The company, swelled by the volunteers from Palmerston on a visit, was under the command of Captain Mounsey, and the company was divided into sections for the purpose of battalion drill, the four sections being under Captain Jack, Lieuts. Louisson, Walsh and Baker, Captain Hunter acted as Major and Lieut. Morgan as adjutant.

On the conclusion of drill the company entertained their lady friends to afternoon tea, which was very good and much enjoyed. The camp was worthy of inspection, the tents being thrown open for free inspection. The officers had offered a prize for the. best dressed tent, which fell to No. 4 tent, of which Private Hooker was senior. Another tent ran the first very close for pride of place. The dwellers of No. 4 if married have made a serious mistake, as in future their wives will expect them to be as particular at home as when out. To the batchelors such a spick and span show would tend greatly towards their success with their sweethearts, who would imagine this state of things would be for ever so. The mistake would certainly be found out. The Foxton Brass Band played and marched very well both to and from church, and proved of much assistance to the company. In the afternoon they also played selections which were pleasing, and proved the progress the members have made under Bandmaster Ennis.

The parades during the encampment have beoii very good, and are as follows: 19th, 39 20th, 37—39 21st, 32—47 22nd, 49 —45 24th, 42-44 25th, 38 On Sunday evening a camp fire was lit on the range ground, around which the volunteers and a large number of visitors sat, and at which songs were sung and tales were told. It was a most enjoyable evening and at ten o'clock all joined hands and under the leadership of Capt, Jack sang “ Ould Lang Syne.” Then to bed. Camp will break up to-morrow and the equipage removed from the ground in the afternoon. In the evening a concert will be held in the mess room in the Grand Stand. To-morrow afternoon a cricket match will be played between the volunteers and the local cricketers in Victoria Park. V A very pleasant afternoon may be looked forward to, as the ladies will provide afternoon tea. The teams picked are:—Volunteers—W. Nye, T. Betty, E. Smith, J. Hurley, S. Ennis, N. Heta, A. Langley, Fenton, Schlirike, Siever and T. Mitchell. Emergencies—A. Baker, J. Gillespie and W. Hamer. Cricketers—Eeade, Martin, Levctt, Styles, Corkery, Fennimore, Murphy, Humphreys, Bowe, Kruse and A. Morgan. Mr H. Bradcock will be umpire, and Mr R. Lightbourne, scorer. We are informed that Sargfc. Gray and Private Ball have qualified for marksmen’s badges. On Monday morning the Palmerston volunteers left by train and heartily-'cheered the local men before the train left. They gave the Maori call of their corps before the shop of Lieut. Walsh as a mark of their appreciation of his attention. Colonel Newall arrived by the

coach to-day and will inspect men this evening.