The Easter Encampment.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1692, 24 April 1886, Page 4

The Easter Encampment.

THE VOLUNTEERS EN ROUTE.

There was quite a busy scene at the railway station on Thursday evening. Volunteers from Woodville, Napier and other parts of Hawke's Bay going to take part m the Easter Encampment at Wanganui were arriving throughout the evening, about a dozen coaches, expresses, and other kinds of conveyances having been called into requisition for that purpose. The gay uniforms of riflemen, navals, &c, made the streets wear quite, a martial aspect. The 5.45 train brought through a further contingent of infantry from Wellington, also the Heretaunga Cavalry Under command of Captain Scales arid Lieutenant Pringle, the horses, some 25 m number, being taken m open trucks and horse boxes. A number of carriages were set apart for the volunteers, and there were a large number of passengers as well, making up a long and very heavy train. Two engines were attached. Tle leading engine drew the horse boxes, then came the second engine m the middle, with 8 or" 9 carriages behind, and the brake van at the rear. When all was ready for a start, the guard whistled, which was immediately followed by a shrill screech from tne two engines, and the train moved rapidly on its journey. There was. a large concourse of spectators on tne platform, and a cheer arose as the long train got into motion. The sight was one never before seen m Paluierston, and caused considerable excitement among the en-lookers, of whom there would probably have been a much larger number had it been earlier m the evening.