HAURAKI ENGINEERS.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3029, 30 October 1878, Page 2

HAURAKI ENGINEERS.

Last night was appointed for the visit of Major Withers, the Commanding Officer of the Thames and Auckland districts, and for the inspection parade'of the Hauraki Engineers. Eight o'clock was appointed for the inspection of the corps, and at half-past seven the men fell in, in their drill hall, where were assembled a goodly concourse of the inhabitants. The roll having been called, Captain Small, Lieutenants Barlow and Denny, 1 Quarter-master Sergeant, 5 Sergeants, 1 bugler, 20 bandsmen and 40 rank and file answered to their names. Punctually at eight o'clock, Major Withers and Major Murray, accompanied by the district Sergeant - Instructor, arrived, and was received with a steadiness and precision that angered well for the credit of the Engineers. Without particularising, and doing only justice, we may, on the authority of a competent soldier present, say that never, if ever; did the corps better sustain its high character. Major Withers expressed his opinion in the strongest terms; he was not only astonished, but delighted. The following were the evolutions':—Line was formed, and the general salute was given, followed by the inspection of arms- and men; Lieut. Denby wai called to the front, and told off and proved company, and then i exercised, it in the manual and firing exercises ; each sergeant then repeated the same exercises, with the exceptionl of one. Every non-commissioned' officer shewed a thorough, and practical acquaintance with his duties, particularly Sergts. Mclntyre, Cloutt and Thorburn. Lieut. Barlow was then called to the front, and requested by Major Withers to examine the men on technical points of military engineering. Lieutenant Barlow stood the men at ease, and ordered them to reply to his questions referring to the numerous diagrams illustrating the walls of the hall. The answers were given readily and. correctly; the men proving taeir acquaintance with military engineering to a remarkable extent, considering the short space of time in which they have been under instruction. At the close of these proceedings the inspect* ing "officer said he should have much pleasure in forwarding a most favorable report to Government of the month's inspection, and he wished to add that he had seldom seen a finer company, or a company better officered. He added a graceful tribute —"that he believed he had better not'venture t«o far on engineering subjects with Mr Barlow, who, as an old .Royal Engineer sergeant, was likely to make him appear second best.*' After prizes had been distributed the corps, headed by its drums and fifes, had a short march out, and .were dismissed until Friday night. ; .