The Military Encampment.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7805, 25 April 1905, Page 2

The Military Encampment.

The boisterous weather experienced on Good Friday gave way to gloriously fine weathei on Saturday nnd Sunday, changing the depressing state of affairs to one of cheerfulness and activity. —A Sham Engagement.— Saturday's work was decidedly inleivsting and instructive, the whole force being put through an extensive sham engagement. The enemy, represented by a force of flu men under Captain Mills, and a detachment of lII'.- SI rat ford Mounted Hides tinder lieutenant Mine, were supposed to gave effected a landing at Waitaru Colonel Watt marched the defending force to Bell Mock, to intercept the enemy. The scouts came in touch with the enemy at .1.0 a.m., and the left flank of the defending line was strengthened from the reserves. An attack on the centre having liuen repulsed, it was -decided after a council of war to initiate a sweeping nunemciil. The sweep, extending over a line of three miles, was very successfully carried out, and the enemy were forced to retire to the sea |l>euch. They took up a strong defensi\e position on a high sandhill, where they were soon holly attacked and ultimately dislodged. This concluded the operations, which during the day were ably planned and skilfully executed, the whole reflecting considerable credit on both the officers and men. Captain Mills handled his foice very effectively. On the way back to camp via Ihe sea beach, the troops were instructed in the methods of a rearguard action. Captain Uatten was in charge of tho enemy, and Captain Baltrop in command of the rearguard. Camp was reached at 4 p.m. and after tea the general leave given up to 11 p.ii*. wus largely availed of. —Sunday in Camp.— lieyond tho usual mounting ol guards and general routine, no work was done on Sunday, but at 10.IS the troops were paraded and Chap-Ilin-Captain V. G. Evans conducted service in the open air. thy band supplying the music. During tho day the camp was visited try between two; and throe thousand people, and the scene was bright and animated. The Wangauui Garrison Band played a number of selections in the afternoon. General leave was granted for the day. —Tho Concluding Day.— The whole of the forces were marched out of camp at 9.30 a.m. for manoeuvres, which were carried out on the idea that the cnomy had been landed in the vicinity of Seniry Hill. The orders were that tho

brigade take up a' line of outposts .'xtonding from the Item Hewn pah to the railway line near Hell Mock, to prevent an attack by the enemy un the camp at Wniwakaiho. On arriving at Hen wood Road one company from the No. 2 Dattafion was sent in advance along the Devon line to represent the enemy, and another from No. i Battalion to proceed close to tho sea beach. The enemy attempted to get through iu several places, but were totally »n----xuccessful, most of their men being captured. The troops returned to camp shortly after 3 o'clock.

An early tea was served, and preparations were made for breaking up camp. It had boon intended to strike tents at 4 p.m., but owing to the heavy showers of rain which I ted the canvas they had to be loft 'pitched in order to dry before being •ackod up and taken in chargo by ihe camp quartermaster. The first of the departing troops moved out of camp about 5 p.m., :md the men cheered each other to the echo as they separated. Th .southern men left for their homes by the train at 9 p.m. —The Work Done.— Tho opinion is generally expressed by those competent' to judge that the camp lias been one of the most practical and useful in regard to tho work done that has yet been held. All through camp the ideu was to make the movements instructive, and to put the troops through movements that would ho valuable training under actual service condieions. It must lie said that the officers .ind men on the whole carried out their respective parts with brilliancy and enthusiasm, one and all showing in intelligent grasp of the operations.