THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1014, 28 March 1883, Page 3

THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

The Easter Encampment of 1883 is now a thing of the past. The volunteers began to arrive in Wanganui on Thursday, and on Friday all had reached the rendezvous. There being . but little drill on Saturday, a large number of the men took advantage of the opportunity of seeing the town. 'ln the afternoon a scratch cricket match-was played, and in the evening the Nelson Naval Brigade, assisted by some of the Wanganui .men, „gave.an entertainment in aid of the-** Drill Hall” fund. Gn Sunday morning a"church parade was held, and attended by both Major Stapp and Major Pitt, The great event of the meeting—the sham fight—took place on Monday, The bustle and stir in the camp on that morning proclaimed something unusual, and about 9 o’clock large crowds of people were assembling on the course. The attacking force consisting of the Naval Artillery, Wanganui and City Rifles was commanded by Captain Watt, while Major Pitt had charge of;the "P elson .Artillery ;and. : Navais; and Nelson, "Palmerston, Manchester, Patea and Marton Rifles, who formed the defence. The fight lasted about two hours, during which both sides acquitted theracharges especially feeing made in a splendid manner. A few accidents occurred, but none were of a very serious character except in the case of a” trooper who had his forehead severely cut through coming in collision with one of the Wairoa men. Volunteer Nutsford, of the. Patea Rifles, sustained,, a . sunstroke, but is not now suffering any inconvenience from his mishap. After luncheon a review and march past took place, the men being put through battalion and skirmishing movements by Major Pitt, after which Major Stapp took leave of the country men; and Captain Watt, on behalf of the Major, read a. general order, complimenting -the whole oh. the "force on /their steadiness and good conduct. After tea the companies re-formed and escorted the Nelson men to the wharf, where hearty ws|e Major Pitt, in a short speech, returned thanks on behalf of the Nelson men for their warm reception in Wanganui. The encampment was brought to a conclusion by a ball which was held in the Drill Hall in the evening.