VOLUNTEER DEMONSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5638, 25 April 1879, Page 3

VOLUNTEER DEMONSTRATIONS.

(per press agency.) . Invercargill, April 12. The Volunteer demonstration up to this time has been a great success. In the morning the weather was not very good, but as the day advanced it turned out better. The rain which was feared kept off. Last night the Volunteers and visitors, numbering over a thousand, arrived by the train and were told off to the different establishments, according to arrangements previously made by a Volunteer Committee. Many attended a grand sacred concert held in Sloan’s Hall, while the greater number were to be seen about the streets. The whole corps, numbering between twelve and thirteen hundred, mustered in Dee-street, opposite the Athenmum, where a number of the movements were gone through. There were a number of absentees from the local corps. Major Wakefield, officer of the day, commanded the guard, comprising the local rifles and other corps, which formed in the usual way for the ceremony of trooping the colors, the non-commissioned officers marching to the front to the saluting point, turning inwards and then halting in front of the lane. The officers in command of the guard having taken their post the while, with the non-com-missioned officers, marched in slow time and inspected their respective guards. The right guard marched to the left of the line to receive colors from the non-commissioned officers in charge. A general salute was given, and the colors of the troop were 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 acquitted themselves creditably, and sustained their reputation as instrumentalists. Afterwards the whole went to the Caledenian grounds, where some battalion evolutions were gone through, under the respective commands. Sports were then commenced, and lasted the remainder of the day, it being barely dark when the last event came off. There were four military bands in attendance, and their performances greatly enlivened the proceedings. The Dunedin band and Captain Hill Jack’s company of Volunteers are much admired. A church parade takes place to-morrow, and on Monday there will be a review and sham fight, Hamilton, April 13.

The Thames Volunteers, to the number of 480, arrived here by special train to-day for the review to-morrow. They came by a chartered steamer to Auckland, and were met here by the Waikato Cavalry, to the number of 40, under Colonel Lyon and Major Jackson. The people were fairly taken by storm, not anticipating such a large body of visitors. The train was specially set apart for the Volunteers, and about 50 civilians who wished to take tickets and accompany the Volunteers to Waikato were not allowed, at which there was great dissatisfaction. The train consisted of seventeen carriages and two engines, and only stopped at Mercer, where the Volunteers stormed the hotels and bakery for com missary supplies, as they had travelled since 11 p.m. on Saturday till 'll a.m. this morning, with only a partial breakfast at Hamilton. They were billeted at three hotels, the police barracks, and Victoria Hall. The men were equipped in ordinary order, with blankets, haversacks, &c. The details of the men were as follows:—Thames Scottish, two companies, under Major Murray and Captain Watson,; accompanied by honorary Colonel Fraser, 152 men; Thames, Navals, Captain Mildman, 107 ;> Hauraki Engineers, Captain Small, 60 ; Rifle Rangers, Captain Farrell and Lieut. Grant, 40; Native Corps, Captain Taipari and Lieut. Hoani Nahe, 39; Cadets, 78; total, 480 men. Colonel Lyon congratulated the corps, and ordered them to their respective billets at Pearce’s, Gwynne’s, and Dowson’s Hotels, the natives to the police barracks, and the Cadets to the Victoria Hall. They parade for review with the Waikato Cavalry, which is expected to number 100, tomorrow morning. Church parade this evening, when the Bishop of Auckland is to preach. Hamilton, April 14.

The review this morning was a great success. The weather was lovely, and the attendance large. Settlers came into Hamilton on horseback and in every kind of vehicle from far and near. The paddocks selected were situated a mile outside the town, and on a rising ground, very suitable for sightseers. The cavalry and band were all excellently mounted, and turned out in fine style from all the districts round, and numbered 133 strong, under Major Jackson and Captain Bunciman. The Thames corps mustered 480 strong; the total with staff of officers 623. Colonel Lyon took command. Major Jackson commanded the Waikato Cavalry column, Captain McPherson BrigadeMajor. The Thames men did well, but the Waikato men were considered to have done better. The dash and horsemanship elicited great admiration. The usual manoeuvres were gone through by all the men in good style. The cavalry marched past at a walk and gallop quarter distance column and advance column. Squadrons in pursuit formed close column of squadrons, charged infantry squares on column, retired from both flanks, re-formed columns, advanced and took ground by force to the right. Deployed into line, and charged in line. Retired in column, re-formed at the rear of infantry, and were then formed up and went through short exercise. Galloped past, saluting base in reversed front, and again galloped past. The Thames officers then went through sword exercise. Colonel Lyon addressed the Brigade and expressed himself wellsatisfied with the way the movements had been performed. One company from the Thames, which he had found fault with, had retrieved its good name by steadiness under arms, and excellent marching. On present occasion the conduct of the Thames Volunteers had been exemplary since their departure from the Thames. He hoped on another occasion their stay would be longer in the Waikato, where the ground was well adapted for Volunteers. Major Murray returned thanks for tho handsome manner in which Colonel Lyon and officers of tho Waikato Cavalry and the public treated them on their visit. He hoped it would not be the last occasion on which the Thames Volun-

teers and Cavalry would operate together. Three hearty cheers for the Hamiltonians were given. Major Jackson expressed satisfaction at being present at such a muster, and the officers had made considerable efforts to get the troops together for the review. All the horses were very fresh, twothirds of them not having been in the ranks twice, or the work might have been performed with still greater precision and effect. But they did their level beat. The men were then marched back to Hamilton, and were dismissed at billet, to parade at 10 p.m. for return trip. Officers messed together at Pearce’s, sergeants at Gwynne’s. It was intended to play a cricket match, Thames and Hamilton, this afternoon, but the rain interfered. The Thames men will reach home at one o’clock to-morrow afternoon.

Invebcap.gii.l., April 14.

The Volunteers mustered in force this morning for transmission to the review ground at Waiwera ; the first train, with No. 2 and 3 battalions, left at half-past eight, and was followed by another train with No. 1 battalion and a number of the public an hour later; then the general public commenced to crash in and fully three thousand persons were conveyed to the Waikareu. The railway arrangements were better than usual, and the disposal of so many people was effected without confusion. A mistake was, however, made in not announcing that no trains outward would run after noon. A few people were prevented thereby visiting the ground. The town wore a desolate aspect all day; it seemed to he literally emptied of inhabitants. The sham fight commenced at noon. No. 3 battalion marched the ground. This battalion took up the defensive position, with batteries O, E, G, and K ; the point defended being a clump of bush. Battalions 2 and 3, and batteries B and J attacked. A sharp contest ensued; the movement being well executed. The attack was opened by Major Lean and No. 1 battalion, including the Christchurch corps, and was supported by Major Walsh and No. 2 battalion, and they advanced in open order, and were received by a smart fire from the defence. Some very pretty manceuvering ensued, hut it was almost impossible to distinguish the movements, owing to spectators and troops becoming mixed, and eventually the attack was repulsed. The battalions marched to the review ground, a fine big paddock belonging to Mr. Morton. Here a two hours’ review followed. Every kind of battalion movement was gone through, the men on the whole acquitting themselves admirably. The honor for steadiness and good order at the march past was about divided by the Dunedin Artillery and Dunedin City Guards, who were also very noticeable. The Cromwell Rifles excited much admiration by their good marching, but by the middle of the afternoon a heavy shower fell, and sent a number of spectators flying home by the first train. The sky, however, soon cleared, and the day closed as it had begun, very fine. The proceedings were most agreeable throughout, not a hitch of any kind occurring. All the men march into town by eight o’clock, and half-an-hour after midnight a volunteer train will leave for Dunedin, and as many of the Dunedin men as can find room will return by it. At the review Sub-Colonel Stavely called out tho officers and thanked them for the attention they had paid to their companies, and for the able manner they had commanded that day. He noticed a great improvement in battalion drill since the men nad met at Invercargill, which showed that what they needed to keep them up to the mark was plenty of practice at home.