The Thames Volunteers.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3368, 8 October 1879, Page 3

The Thames Volunteers.

LIEUT-COLONEL LYONS OFFI-

CIAL 11KPOET.

The following is Lieut. Col. Lyon's official report on the Thames Volunteers recently laid before the House :—

I hare the honor to forward my report of inspection of the Thames Volunteers for the information of the Hon. tho Defence Minister.

The Thames District comprises one company of Engineers, one Scottish Battalion of three companies, one of Eifle Eangera, one Native Company and Naval Brigade, two companies of Cadets —one attached to the Scottish and the other to the Naval. Annexed is a state showing the number of each company at inipection parade. I inspeoted each company separately on the evenings of the 7th, Bth, 9th, and 10th of April. la consequence of want of space (my inspections being held in the Public Hall), there was no possibility of drilling the several companies, further than pro Ting them and putting them through the manual and platoon exercise, which were in general satisfactorily performed. I carefully examined the arms arid accoutrements, which were in good order. I was unable to see the Naval Brigade at gun practice, being obliged to leave earlier than I intended, in order to be back in Waikato in time to make arrangements for the review to be held at Hamilton on Easter Monday. The Thames Volunteers are particularly zealous, and take a great amount of interest and pride in all volunteer matters. I had heard much about them, eipecialiy the Scottish and Naval Brigade, and my expectations wero not disappointed. In efficiency I would place the several corps Scottish, Naval, Engineers, liifle Bangers and Native Company. The red coat and helmet of the' Scottish adds much to the appearance of the men, and I would like to see all infantry corps adopt that colour and head-dress. I may mention that there is no parade ground or large central hall available for the Volunteers, each company having to pay Tent for the use of a hall. With regard to the Cadet Companies I consider there ia room for improvement. Much difficulty is experience in enforcing regular attendance. I have further to report, on Easter Sunday, the Volunteers to the number of 480 all ranks, tinder comwand of Major Murray, and accompanied by Colonel Fraser, honorary colonel of the Scottish Volunteers, arrived at Hamilton by special train, to take part in a review on Easter, Monday, and were billeted in the township. , t On that day, at 9 a.m., the several companies fell in on their private parades, and at 9.30 marched to the place selected for the review. The Waikato Cavalry, numbering 133 all ranks, under the command of Major Jackson, preceded them. I arrived on the ground at 10 a.m., and was received by a general salute, the brigade being formed in line at open order. The march past, both" by cavalry and infantry, was performed in a very soldierlike manner; the subsequent manoeuvres were, upon the whole, conducted to my satisfaction; an advance in line wai particularly steady. The skirmishing was the weak point, which is to be regretted ; but it can scarcely be a matter of surprise, when it is taken into coneideration what little opportunity there ia of practising Volunteers in that most essential part of their drill. The theory may be taught in a drill-shed, but constant practice in the open is required to make efficient skirmishers.

The absence of continuous drill is an impediment to "Volunteers attaining real efficiency in the field. If, howerer, the tereral corps in, a district could be brigaded for a week at a time twice in the year under canTas, I believe it would hare a moit satisfactory result. There is no want of intelligence among the men; they showed great aptitude for instruction, and quickly conformed to the orders receited; and I was much pleased with their steadiness and discipline generally. Silence and good order were maintained in the ranks, and there was little or no hurry and confusion, except when skirmishing. The Waikato Cavalry turned out with their usual promptness. There were but few absentees, and those unavoidable.

The order and regularity with which the Volunteers conducted themselres from the time of leafing the Thames until their return hare been reported upon in a most satisfactory manner by Major Murray and officers commanding corps. No casualty occurred; nor was a single complaint brought to my notice during their stay in Hamilton. Their conduct throughout was ordely and soldierlike. I hare, Sec, William C. Lton, Lieut.-Colonel. Commanding Waikato District. The Under Secretary for Defence,

Wellington. -

In one of the California mines a ball has been given a thousand feet below the surface. About fifty couples were invited. The ladies were dressed in calico costumes, and together with their escorts, were lowered into the mine at nine o'clock. They danced two or three ' boars Mammas with their daughters on their hands will do a good deal, even in this country (says London Figaro), to catch a coal'Crc^us, or owner of a big Bonanza, in any form; but actually to pursue him , into the. subterranean treasury is a Yankee notion as yet unimported. Our fortune fishers will do their level best to draw out the Leviathan with a hook, but they draw the line at diving after him. They will descend to anything except the bowels of the earth and will lower themselves to any extent in spirit so long as they are not required to lower themselves in the flesh in a basket.