THE DOMINION DEFENCES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 322, 23 February 1910, Page 5

THE DOMINION DEFENCES.

LORD KITCHENER'S INSPECTION TOUR. REVIEWS AT CHRISTCHURCH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch. Febn=avy 22. This morning Lord Kitchener was welcomed by the Mayor and councillors at Lyttelton. Afterwards be went on a tour of the harbor defences, contenting himself with observing the guns and the electric light station on the north side |of the harbor. He was taken ashore to the principal fort—Fort Jcrvois. There he inspected 150 men, and made a thorough inspection of the fort arma'ment; he also made careful inquiries as to the soundings in various parts of tiie harbor. Lord Kitchener's visit to Lyttelton was a veritable "flying survey." One secret of his 1 capacity for business was his habit of using every minute and ascertaining exactly how long each journey takes. He wanted to know why the Lyttelton tunnel was not duplicated to prevent the blocking of ordinary traffic, and said the tunnel would be useless in time of war. He inquired closely as to 'the time in which the Christ-church-Lyttelton trip could be made by motor car.

GREAT REVIEW OF CADETS,

A UNIQUE 'SPECTACLE,

Chris'tchurch, Last Night.

The crowd at the showgrounds today, when the cadets were reviewed by Lord Kitchener, was of enormous' dimensions, thousands pouring in by the trams ail the afternoon, until at three o'clock the crush round the gates was very great. But (a strong force of mounted rifles and cavalry kept order well, and the crowd was got into position in the paarde ring in good style. Out on the secltion of the gifouuds which on show days is devoted to implements the cadet battalions were drawn ivp, their bright uniforms and glint of arms making an imposing picture. There were some 2500 defence and school cadets and scouts on parade. As the Field-Marshal drove on to the grounds a few moments before three o'clock he was cheered most enthusiastically, and cheers were also given for the Prime Minister. Lord Kitchener walked up from the grandstand to the saluting base ; accompanied by Colonels Robin, Collins, Tuson and Hawkins. The parade stood at attention, and while the Garrison Band played Lord Kitchener inspected the cadets'. The inspection commenced with the senior and defence cadets, and then was extended to school cadets and scouts. The march past in line and column was most successfully carried out, and the general salute was given witli admirable precision. The parade state at the review was: Staff, 5; junior cadets, No. 1 battalion, 304; No. 2 battalion, 341; No. 3 battalion, 395; No. 4 battalion, 380; No. 5 battalion (scouts), 253.- Senior cadets: No. 1 battalion 383, No. 2 battalion 215, Burnham Band 20. Total, 2299. The following defence cadets were on parade : Queen's, Timaru High School, Christchurch Boys' High School, Nos. 1 and 2; [Christ's College, Nos. 1 and 2; Technical j College, Ashburton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Lyttelton Garrison Artillery. The cadets' review was the most interesting function of the kind held in Christchurch since the review before the Prince of Wales a few years ago. It afforded a unique display 'to the public, and undoubtedly has given a tremendous impetus to the cadet movement in Canterbry.

There was a good muster of veterans, 52 parading under Mr. T. B. Anderson, a Maori war veteran. About half of those present were South African extroopers'. There were many Mew Zealanders, and a number of Crimean veterans.

Volunteers from all parts of the district are assembling at camp at Hagley Park to-night in readiness for to-mor-row's "operations. TRAMCAR SOLDIERS. Christcluirch, Last Night. It is understood that the volunteers now in camp in Hagley Park will be turned out very early to-morrow morning and marched to Prebbleton, about 10 miles distant from the city. The first part of the journey, as far as Sockburn, about six miles out, will be made by tramcar, and the men will march the remainder of the distance. Major McDonald, commandant of the New Zealand public school sadets, left for Wellington to-night to organise the cadets there for Lord Kitchener's visit. TARANAKI'S CONTINGENT. The North Taranaki school cadets (No. 1 battalion) leave for Wellington this morning, under Major Sandford.