VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 77, 3 April 1877, Page 2

VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

_;- Yesterday was the show, as it was the last, day of the encampment, and from an early hour it was evident that those who were to take part in the review were not to be dispirited by the assemblage of spectators being, small.. The first train that left town took a fair number, the next was more heavily laden, the next still more largely patronised, and the twelve o'clock train, consisting of sixteen carriages drawn by two engines, was crowded in every part, conspicuous among the passengers being the members of the Fire Brigades in their bright uniform. At half-past one a smaller train, also full, and at half -past two another of equal dimensions and equally closely packed left town, and as the other end of the line was being worked at the same time, trains from Foxhill periodically adding their quota to the crowd that was assembling at Richmond it can easily be understood that there was a goodly gathering, which must have consisted of considerably over 3000 persons. Whilst tbe railway was supplying the spectators, the actors thut were -to be- were busily engaged in preparing themselves for the part they were totake by, going through their drill, except the. Artillery, who. were engaged in firing for the district prizes at a target erected about 1500 yards out to sea. The several detachments were comprised of the following members of the corps-.— No. 1 : Sergt. Kissell, Corpl. Sedgwick, Bomb. Aldridge and flaasc, Gunners Moore, Hill, Jackson, Somers, and Ashcroft. No. 2: Sergt. Bird, Corpl. Edwards, Gunners Edwards, Armstrong, Carter, Nippert, Harling, M'Cabe, and Jennings. No. 3 : QuarterMaster Sergt. Armstrong, Corpl. Nicholson, Bomb. Watts, Gunners Chisholm, Levy, Davidson, Ashcroft, Way, and Thomas. We have not yet heard the result of the firing. Dinner being over the Volunteers dressed themselves for the event of the day, and shortly after two o'clock they were drawn up in line, and received the reviewing officer, the Hon. Major Richmond, C.8., with a general salute. They were then inspected by him, after which the manoeuvres commenced, and that they were no child's play will be seen by the following programme : — I— Wheel into Line; 2— Quarter Column on Right Company; 3— March Past in Column; 4 -Cavalry and Artillery will complete Square and halt in front of Infantry; 5— Cavalry March Past in Fours; Artillery in Column of Sub-divisions; 6— lnfantry Quarter Column; 7— Countermarch; B— March Past in Column; 9— Countermarch; 10 — Cavalry Trot Past; Artillery, do; 11— Infantry Countermarch, and go past at the Double; 12— Line to left on Rear Company; 13— Manual Exercise; 14— Bayonet Exercise; 15—1, 2, and 3 Skirmish; 4 and 5 Support, Advance, 'Retire, Change Front, Quarter j Right, Relieve Skirmishers, Close on Support ; 16— Quarter Column, Right Wheel; 17— Line to Left oil No. 3; 18— Advance iv Echelon Jrom Right; 19— Company Square, and Prepare for Cavalry; 20— Line to Front on Rear Company; 21— Advance in Review Order. After the march past the manual exercise,' dismounting arid mounting the guns, in which the Artillery displayed remarkable proficiency, the No. 2 Detachment in particular distinguishing themselves by their smartness, the skirmishing commenced, the Normanby Hussars being sent to the front in extended order, supported by the Artillery on the right. A brisk fire was kept up for some time, the various companies advancing and retiring alternately, the supports, consisting of the College and Artillery Cadets, being brought up to the close of the " engagement," and Cavalry finishing up by pursuing tha supposed defeated enemy. This was understood by some to be a "charge," but it was not so, and what would have been a very irregular and ill executed charge was in reality an intended scattered pursuit. This part of the day's proceedings being over, the Volunteers were once more formed into line, and then wheeled into three sides of a square, when they were addressed as follows by Major Richmond: — I have to congratulate the Volunteers on the excellent and convenient position that has been selected for the encampment this year; for this both the Volunteers and the public at large are indebted to the generosity and public spirit of one of our settlers — Mr Canning— who bas, I understand, not only furnished you with this eligible site, but has done everything in his power to lessen the discomfort incidental to a camp. It gives j me great pleasure to find that you continue to progress in your duty and efficiency, of which your steady, orderly conduct during the time you hare been encamped, and the creditable way you have gone through this day's review affords ample proof. Your soldier-like appearance on parade, the steadiness and precision with which you executed the manoeuvres, the firing of the Artillery aud the training of the Cavalry, does great credit to everyone, from your able and energetic Commanding Officer to the youngest Cadet, for every one must have giveii his mind to the work. There is a part of your duty to which it is gratifying to allude, that is, the rifle practice. In the early days of the volunteer movement, the Nelson Volunteers were distinguished for their success in this branch, and for two successive years won the Champion Belt; in: 1862, Private Samuel Holt was the wiuner, in 1863 Major Morse bore off the prize, and this year you have reason to be proud of the result of the

firing. The amount of money alone won by Lieut. Paynter is considerable,, and this in itself would he an object to "many, but !p will point to higher motives. The: possession bl the Challenge Cup and Sifle is >a record of" Lieut. Paynter's skill and proficiency;, the Champion Belt; isa proof; that among! the crack shots of New Zpalandrr-.who assembled., at the late meeting at ' Hokitika, Lieutenant Paynter was the best, and won this much coveted prize. The enthusiastic reception you accorded to him on his return to Nelson was in itself a proof of the gratification afforded to you by his brilliant success. , : Lieut Paynter will no doubt exert all his enetgy; and skill to retain his honors, arid ttiere ii certainly sufficient inducement to determine you to follow his example, and to endeavor to arrive at the same proficiency; buT'you"' must bear in mind this can only Jbe effected by constant practice, by devoting time, care, and attention to it ; a mere spurt of a few days or weeks before the competition cannot, succeed any more in rifle shooting than 'it can' in boating, cricket, or any other sport; it will require constant steady practice throughout the year. As this is the first review that bas taken place since the return of the representatives it appears a fitting occasion to recognise ;the services and to do honor to the successful competitor for the Champion Belt. I will, therefore, ask you to give three hearty cheers in honor of Lieut. Paynter. Three cheers were theft given for Her Majesty the Queen, Lieut.-Paynter, Mr Canning, and several others, concluding with a final salvo of cheers for the Reviewing Officer. The companies were then marched back to camp, where the tent3^were struck at the souricl.of the bugle, and 1 were speedily packed and got ready for transportation by train. After tea a torchlight procession was formed by the members of the Fire Brigades, by whom and the remainder of' the Volunteers the Norman by Hussars were escorted through Richmond on their way home. Meantime the trains had been leaving, the station with their return freights, and^great was the crush to obtain seats. About: nine the last train left for town, and consisting though it did of every carriage and truck on the line, it was literally crammed, i Coming down from Bishopdale it presented a remarkably pretty appearance, the firemen" bearing lighted torches and burning colored lights, and immediately after its arrival at the station there was. a lively scene. The members of the Fire Brigades with their blazing torches and glistening helmets were drawn up on each side of the road, the Volunteers, headed by the Band, being formed in fours between them, while all around a great crowd had gathered, and in this order they marched through the main streets of the town tothe Drill Shed where, prior to dismissal, Captain Pitt thanked the men for their, orderly conduct and the attention theyhad paid to their duties, ?ind concluded by calling for three cheers for Captain Marshall, which were as heartily given as they were well deserved. Cheers were also given for- Captain Pitt, and the other officers, arid the U; men were then dismissed, and so ended the j Easter Encampment of 18771 I ■"> The marked success* which has attended the encampment is due in the first place to the untiring zeal, the unflagging energy, andthe careful forethought displayed by Captain Marshall, the commanding officer, who ; on this occasion was placed in a -more trying position than usual, there being a great lack of. officers, the only two Companies .having Captains being the Artillery, and -Artillery Cadets. ! Lieut. West of the Artillery acted as CaptainAdjutant, and performed- his share ;of -Ithe work effectively and 3 with jhis customary urbanity. Great praise-is. due to SergeantMajor Wimsett . of: the Artillery, who took upon himself the arduous duties of Camp Sergeant-Major, and carried: them out with zeal and efficiency. Sergeants Armstrong of the Artillery and Whitwell of 'the- City Rifles also deserve great credit for the manner in which the Quartermaster's department was carried" out under ; unusual circumstances. The whole force,' indeed, officers and men, appeared to have their heart in the work, and to be determined to make the Encampment the success which it proved. Mr Ashcroft; the railway manager, arid his subordinates are to be congratulated upon the manner in which they performed their share of the work, which, with the limited resources at their command and the;extraordinary,demand upon them; was by nb means a light task. The trains arrived ahdjlef t punctually and the inconvenience of the crush was made as light as possible, by j the courtesy of the officials and the excellence of the arrangements. Of Mr Canning's, liberality, < kindness, and forethought we have! before '■■ spoken, but this final notice "o|f tne Encamp-, ment would not be complete if wis wjere not! orice more to give. expression 'to the feelings of gratitude .entertained. vtowards p MniVn,otonly by the "Volunteers ' but -.'by the" public' generally for the great facilities he afforded them for spending so pleasant a holiday as that of Easter Monday,! 1877,