AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 65, 13 April 1909, Page 4

AT THE FRONT.

' THE EASTER MANOEUVRES. ■ THE CANTERBURY FORCES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ashburton, Last Night. Th: 1 annual Easter manoeuvres of the Canterbury volunteers are being held this ivear at Mount Sinners, where 1185 men are encamped. Active operations commenced on Good Friday, but the ■work was of an instructional nature 'only, and was much curtailed owing to a breakdown of the railway transport arrangements, the train bringing threequarters of the troops boing five hours late in arriving, on account of insufficient engine-power. Saturday's work comprised an attack ion the outposts, 'with a view to testing their vigilance and efficiency and methods of communication. Later a manoeuvre which developed into a rearguard action was commenced, tho idea being that a mounted brigade were attacking the infantry and battery. The scene of operations'was a riverbed, the low wide plain of which was fringed with downs and plateaux. A road ran parallel with the. river, and along this the infantry had previously advanced. The mounted brigade fought an engagement against the battery guns, and the infantry force was then ordered to retire. A portion of the mounted force could be seen moving about on the low-lying hills to the. south, but the direction of their advance was uncertain. The retiring infantry force had 'to guard against a (lank movement by 'the enemy, which might possibly cut them oil' from camp, and to prevent this the forces scouted in open order under cover at right angles, to the road on each flank, commanding the riverbed and plateau on each side ol it. A rearguard action w.is successfully carried out, the mounted brigade failing to outflank the defenders, who retired to camp in good order. On Saturday afternoon field firing practice with hall cartridge look place, all the arm-carrying sections participating. Colonel Robin was present on Friday.

RIFLE CLUBS' CAMP. . Palinerston North, Last Night. The rifle clubs' camp broke up on Saturday afternoon. The men, were encased in skirmishing attack and living at"iixed targets. The firing was very deadlv, the average being 20 hits out of 25." Colonel Collins expresses himself well satisfied with the work done. The men, he said, had visibly improved.