VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 168, 20 July 1903, Page 4

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

M«OB WiT\" is now in command of the Mounted JRifl.-s camp on the raceftrane. M«jof Watt is a brothor of laentenant-C010n6.1 Watt, the wellknown Wangsuui officer who commands the Wangantii Infantry Battalion. Major Wat 4 is a successful barrister and solicitor io Wanganni, and began Lis career, as a; volunteer, an « member cf the Alexandra Cavalry aoms 25 yeara ago. He row to the position of Oaptaia of that popabr and veteran corps, and on the formation of the West Coast '.Mounted Rifle Batfelion was appointed to the command, and is a moat capable and popn&r officer. The Stratford and Egmoat Mounted Rifles should feel highly gratified at his attending their camp. A very successful Church Parade was held on Sunday morning. The Mounted Bin s, under Captains Liardet and Knight, marched to the Red House, where they were met by the ttarrison Batd, the Taranaki Rifles, Odder iieut. Okey, Taraaaki Guards, Captain Cook, and Nos. 1 and % companies Public School Cadets Captains Dempsey and Gray, and under command of Lieu f .-Oolonel EUis, marched to St. Mary's. The arrival of the Brigade at the Church was w : Bfly timed so that there was time for men belonging to other denominations to fall cut and march to their own church. The Rev. F. G. Evans, Chaplain cf the Bittalion, preached a very able and instructive sermon, the moaic and sieging being specially selected for the occasion. At the conclusion of the service the Brigade marched through the town to the Bed House, where the mounted and infantry men sepira'ed. There was a splendid muster of all the corps represented, also of the s'aff, and the force presented a remarkably imposing and martial appearance as they mirched through D.von-stree*', the varied uniforms laving a very pleasing effect. Needless to say the streets were thronged with interested and appreciative spectators. There were nearly 300 men of all ranks

present. The fine and mild weather on Sunday afternoon tempted a large number of people to weud their way to the camp, and during the afternoon the number of visitors grew to large proportions. Bjth troops were, for about an hour, put through a number of movements, which were watchad with great interest by the spectators. When the men had returned to camp the Garrison Band played a selection of music, which was fully enjoyed. Afternoon tea w*s kindly dispensed to the ladies,, who appreciated the compliment . thoroughly. Trooper Lander had the misfortune to have a horse come back on him and decmei injuries whicb, though not claimed to be serious, necessitated his removal, to the Hospital, whither he was conveyed by tho Ambulance Brigade on their litter. Captain Knight still heirs the marks on his face caused through being thrown out of the buggy while driving in with Mr Linn, but the lDJury does not ac - ail au«ot his smartness as an officer. The p-ogramme of the tournament that is fixed for Thu-sday will be found in another column. Should the weitber ba favourable, the event should attract a largecoiicoutsi tf It appears tint Gen«ral Babington i 3 not coming to New Plymouth after all, although ho was in Watigmai last week. It is stated, however, that Gilonel Webb, offi'j-r commanding the Wellington-Taraniki district, wili shortly make a tour of ir.sp action. According to the Opuoake Times the " clever division" of the local mounted corps, who have been clamourin" fjr disci'.'ir.ce.s fir foi-ie time, but waited tueai ni houfe p ijing arrears will have the opportunity of paying uj beisg relea.ei or paying doubli the amount in firo?. Tue Egmnn*: Settler says : ~" Then is same "hitch" in the gazjttlug o the "Taracaki Cadet Battalion." I appaars tint a; tho officer commanding the Battalion is stationed at New Ply mout, the Adjutant; should also b< there. Captain B .yle, the officer whs holds the appositions at present, is ti our mind and p.orrd'Bg t« the locj oa vcltmteenng, by far th' most competent offi'Jtr ia tbe district and he undoubtedly t-hcmlJ ba th< Adj 'itar.t. ih? di ;f.urn of Major Love day "that the Stratford Cadets wer the fintst and lirilk'd on thecoaef from V.'elingtoa to Oiehunga," wa only juiticc i~ C.pf. B;yie. In ou opinion tLe h--a.!qu-rro>s of the Bit talion should bo in Stratford."