KITCHENER IN AUCKLAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 330, 4 March 1910, Page 5

KITCHENER IN AUCKLAND

A MIMIC "BATTLE." By Telegraph. —Press As<o.-i ■ Auckland, Wednesday. Tins morning Lord Kitchener submitted the troops of tlie Auckland district to an efficiency test by means of tactical exercise. Incidentally he reviewed the defending force at the lacccourse. The general idea of the manoeuvres carried out this morning was that a Blue Force was' operating against Auckland from the south, and tliia morning the force was supposed to be in the vicinity of Otahuhu. The city was defended by the Red l'orce in the vicinity of Rcinuera. The object of tlie Red Force was to move against the Blue Force and drive in the screen, capturing Mount Richmond. Ihe Led Force was commanded by LieutenantColonel Wolfe, and the Blue by Major Bloomfield. Tiie manoeuvres were smartly carried out, and resulted in the Blue Force being completely surrounded by Colonel Wolfe. The Blues numbered one hundred mounted men and one gun, while the total forces' defending numbered some 1300 men. All the forces worked admirably, (Jlie mem carrying out the orders with enthusiasm. The day was hot and muggy after the rain that fell, and it tried the. stamina of the men to the fullest, but they weie quite equal to the task. Lord Kitchener, who was mounted, was keenly interested in the work of the two armies. At noon lie gave the order to cease fire, and the mimic battle was at an end. Lord Kitchener, who was' accompanied by Colonel lvirkpatrick, did not address the officers after the fighting, as is usually done by an umpire, but drove straight to the Veterans' Home, and his views of the day's work have not yet been communicated to the authorities. Just before noon Lord Kitchener paid a visit to the Veterans' Home, aud reviewed the veteran-'. The Field-Marshal's cognisant eye arrested itself at this and that veteran, while he made some brief mention of the medals pinned on the proud old soldiers' breasts. Tlie official visit of Lord Kitchener to New Zealand is now at an end. For the next two weeks he will visit several places of interest in the Dominion, and will pay a visit to bis sister (Mrs. Parker, of Knrow) in the South Island. He returns to Auckland in time to catch the next steamer to Fiji, en route for 11 gland. Colonel Kirkpatrick. Lord Kitchener's Chief of Staff, and liis private secretary leave this evening by , H.M.S. Encounter for the Old Country. The Encounter's commission having expired, >he is returning to England.