Volunteer Manoeuvres at Parawai.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2544, 2 March 1877, Page 2

Volunteer Manoeuvres at Parawai.

. The T.S.V. -ami cadets, No. 3 H.R.V., T-lUt., T.N B. and .Engineer Cadets fell in at 7 p.m. last evening at their respective drill sheds, where they were duly inspected by Major Cooper, after \\ Inch they marched to the Volunteer drill shed, Shortland, and formed battalion in close column. SergeautMajor Grant exercised the men, and on Major Coopei's taking command* the officers Were called to the front and the plan of the shamfight, explained to them. This was that the T.N.B. were to proceed up the Kauaeranga in their boats, the enemy being supposed to be on the west bank of the Kauaeranga, above the Parawai Gardens. The remainder of the forces tiiarched to "the Gardens, the right half company of the T.S.V. forming an advanced guard under Lieut. Johnson, and under the protecting fire of this company the. Is Tavals, effected a.landing in good style. The left half".company T.S.V. were extended in skirmishing order on the left of the advanced .guard, T.E.R. acting as support, aud-No. 3 H.R.V. and tho Maoris'—who had joined the battajion at Butt's Corner - acting as a reserve, the Cadets being in their rear. While the T.N.B. were firing on the opposite side of the river, the f.JR.R., JNo. 3 H. K.V. and Maoris were ordered to extend in skirmishing order along the east bank, the movement was being well executed when the press of spectators who seemed desirous of getting in front of the rifles seriously inconvenienced the men. On the T.N.B. retiring to their boats a brisk fire was kept up to cover their reembarkment. Tne companies were then formed into column right in front, and, afterwards wheeled into line when Major Cooper called the officers to tho front and expressed himself highly pleased with the manuer in which the men had gone through the exercise. The various companies then returned, to their drill sheds. The arrangements for the Navals aud their supports on land to arrive at Parawai at the same time were excellent. It was noticed that the Engineer Cadets did not pay much attention to the orders of their Commanding Officer, in the matter of keeping silence in the ranks. The T.S.V. Cadets, on the other hand, are decidedly worthy of praise for their orderly conduct.