THE ARMY BUILDER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 320, 21 February 1910, Page 4

THE ARMY BUILDER

IXSPECTIOX OK or AGO FtfUCES.. DEFEXCE OF DUXEDIX. LXERCY OF Till-l FIELD-MARSHAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Uast Night. Contrary to expectations. the force of some 2000 men encamped at Abbotsford were not called out uvxpectedly, and paraded for inspection according to orders previously issued at 8 a.m. y«sterday. Lord Kitchener. accompanied by the Prime Minister and members of the De. fence Council, arrived'by raoto r Ifro-n Dunedin shortly after 8* o'clock.'! He and his party were provided with hordes and immediately proceeded to insppjt tile assembled troops. The Mounted Rifles made a very fine and there is reason to believe they i were very favorably reviewed hv Maitdial. Having seen men march out of camp, Lord Kitclu-ner inspected the infantry, 15 battery of -n----gineers, ambulance corps, etc., and th?n stationed himself with the Prime Minister and watched the four battalions follow the cavalry in the direction of Abbotsford.

The orders given by Lord Kitchener to Lieut.-Colonel Smythe, who was in charge of the force, were to defend Dunedin from a suppositious :cncmy reported to be landing at Between the camp and Taieri Month arc three hills (Jeffrey's Hill, Sorogga Hill, and Table Hill), with hills leading from Table Hill towar3t*Dunedin, affording a lino of retreat. Lieut.-Colonel Smythe made his arrangements promptly and thoroughly. The country in the vicinity .of Dunedin has been his special study sincd'his appointment here, and Saddle Hill and the vicinity have necessitated his pa* tieular attention.

Ho ordered the B Brigade to ta!;c a defensive position at Jeffrey's Hill, occupying Serogga Hill as a false position. Two regiments of mounted troops and one section of cyclists were told off as a protective force, and were fo occupy Serogga Hill, reonnoitring towards Talon Mouth. An advance-guard of two companies of infantry and one squadron of mounted troops was detailed, and a rear-guard of one company, leaving two battalions as the main body stationed on the north side of Saddle Hi:!. The engineers on the right flank throw up an entrenchment, and tlie left flank was similarly strengthened. A field telephone was laid down, flag signallers appeared on all the hill tops, the fie'd ambulance got into position not far from headquarters. The B Battery at headquarters was held in readiness to proceed to the front, and all the dispositions were completed soon after midday, which, considering that it was after 9 o'clock when tne force left camp was remarkably quiek work. By thus placing his force, LieutColonel Smythe was able to command the two main roads lending from Tai-rri Mouth, and while occupying a particularly strong position, had available ii satisfactory line of retreat along the chain hills, which also offered excellent opportunities to the defending force. While the arrangements were being made, Lord Kitchener, accompanied hy his staff, was appearing unexpectedly m different parts of the country over which the. operations were taking place. Persons interested remarked upon theconsuming energy of the Field-Marshal, and the rapidity with which he travellea. At one moment he was on a distant hillside a short distance in advanc* of his hotly pursuing staff. Ten minutes later the little party was descried at nn entirely different point of the compass.

Lord Kitchener visited every unit of the defending force, and while staying only a moment seemed to see everything. ITe seldom spoke and made ;io .•comments upon Lieut.-Colonel Smythe's dispositions. About 1 p.m. he ordered the force held in reserve at head-quar-ters to reinforce the fortified position, and two battalions of mounted rifles and the BBatterv moved rapidly out to the front. EorTI Kitchener watched these movements close!v. took one more look at. the engineers' fortifications, and with scarcely a word announced he had se-'u sufficient, and rode to the foot of "lie hill, caught a motor car, and returned to Dunedin.

At 2 p.m. tin* march back to r-ajnp commenced. The troops returned to their homes to-day. Lord Kitchener left Dunedin with V><t sister in a motor ear this morning, and was expected to spend the afternoon and evening with their sister, Mrs. Parker, at her home at Kurow. ]lf* will Oamavu for the north by the seconl express' to-morrow and go on to Christchurch. CHRISTCIIURCII PREPARATIONS. Christchurch, Last Night. Preparations' for Lord Kitchener's visit arc practically completed. A camp order issued yesterday anticipates that the volunteers will bp givon an opportunity to show their endurance and soldierly qualities on Wednesday, as provision has been made for an alarm by night or day. Public notice is being given of the fact that from Tuesday morning till Wednesday morning Lyttelton harbor will be under war conditions, and an examination service may be in force a'l the time. Notice of such service being in force will be given at Adderlev Head )y a signal consisting by day of three red balls or shapes resembling balls arranged vertically at the signal station, and by night by three red lights Similarly disposed. During the time the examination service is in force all vessels entering the harbor may be required to stop for examination by the defence authorities, upon pain of instant annihilation. The South Canterbury battalion of school cadets and a detachment of toy scouts arrived in Christchurch by the first express on Saturday afternoon. There were about H.'iO all told, and th#y immediately marched to Hagley Park, where they will encamp till after Lord Kitchener reviews them on Tuesday. There was' a church parade this morn> in.ii. The major portion of the cadHs join camp to-morrow.