THE AUCKLAND REVIEW.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3706, 10 November 1880, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND REVIEW.

' [DiiATED Telegram.] | (FEOM 1 Wa SPECIAL COEEEBPONDJNT.)

. Auckland, Tuesday. The largest Volunteer review that has been held in Auckland for many yearn took place to-day on the Ellerslie racecourse. The Auckland and Thames Companies mustered in the vicinity of the drill shed at 9', aim., . and marched through Queen street to the railway station, where a long train of about 30 carriages was in waiting. The journey to the field of operations was a protracted one, it being fully 11.30 o'clock ere the men arrived on the racecourse. The troops were then formed into a brigade of three battalions as follows :—lst battalon, under command of Major Derrom, with Major Morrow and Adjutant Clifton as field officers: No. 1 conipany, Victoria .Rifles; No 2 company, Auckland Rifles; No. 3 company, Hobson Rifles; No. 4 company, Auckland Scottish and Pakekohe Rifles. The 2nd battalion, under command of Major Murraj, with Captain \ Watson and Adjutant Sthofield field officers: No. 1 company, Thames Scottish No. 1; No. 2 company, Thames Scottish No. 2; No. ' 3 company, Coromandel Volunteers. Th3 third battalion was formed of three companies by the Auckland and Thames Naval Brigades, under, command of Captain Leßoy. A number of brigade movements were performed under the able command of Major Withers; after which the bands, were massed at the saluting base, and the brigade marched past in review order in quarter column in quick time, and again at the double in quarter column. Remarks were made by Auck-

landers on the splendid and walllike marching of the Thames Scottish, Thames Naval, and Coromandel Volunteers. Line was formed of the brigade, by deploying to the left on the leading battalion, and a feu de joie was fired in honour of H.E.H. the Prince of Wales.

After about two hours drill the men fell out for refreshments and sight seeing. At half-past three o'clock the brigade re-assembled, and commenced operations against an imaginary enemy. A reconnaissance was made to the front by a strong detachment from the right battalion which was thrown out as skirmishers.

Your special accompanied the military, to take part in the sanguinary conflict, and to aid in maintaining the prestige of Thames arms. The morale of our men is undoubtedly good, they are collected, and held well in hand. Little Gelly has been placed under arrest I am told for unsoldierlike conduct, and has been marched off under a corporal's guard, he disgraced the good name earned by his comrades, by daring to wink, and waft an airy kiss from his place in the < Scottish ranks. 'Poor; Gelly was struck at first sight it appears with the laughing eyes of a golden-haired Ellerslie lass, and so far forgot himself. I hear since that he has been let off at the intercession of the charming maiden. It appears Captain Watson had an eye on ;hat bright particular star himself, and was unnecessarily prompt in arresting his rival; married men should know better. Watson is not the only one carrying on. Geordie Symington is also taking adrantage of being away from home. Some Waikato ladies who had come down to the sham fight, were much disappointed at finding that Cornet Denby had not accompanied the troops; in vain had they strained their vision through vistas of powder smoke to obtain sight of his wellremembered and idolised form. While paying my devoirs to a lady friend, some few minutes, the army has moved on to the front; my extinguished rank not entitling men to a charger, I trotted my pins briskly after the army, and soon overtook them. Brisk firing had commenced in our front. A small body of the enemy showed themselves. Our gallant fellows took no notice of them. ' The Brigade moved forward, working slightly to the left in order to outflank a "regiment " of the enemy supposed to' be on the crest of a hill, .and amusing themselves by potting at us. But alas, before our foremost skirmishers and your special could reach the daring foe, an imperative order to halt was given by our Commau-der-in-Chief Major-General Withers. " We have lost our golden chance," said the experienced Peter, Johnstone of that ilk. "Not sq," quoth McMinimen of ours, as he withdrew a bottle of Ehrenfried's Pale from his havresack, and squatted, Maorirlike on the sward. Your special seated himself beside him, and on Mao withdrawing the bottle from his lips, with a sigh of satisfaction, refreshed his inner man and hii faculties. Meanwhile our artillery commenced blazing away, to thin 'em down a bit, before we made our final rush. Major Murray, nothing daunted by the provoking ordar to halt just when he wai about to sweep all before him, ordered a detachment to be in readiness to storm a wooded defile, just above the—l forget the name—Hotel; your special (finding .Mac's beer all out) hastens on as scout, and reconnoitres inside tbe hotel. After emptying several pewters in company with Petty Officer Henderson—can t b£ become thirsty to be sure!—lrtish out just in time'to be made a prisoner by au outlying picket of the enemy; I am taken to the. canteen, and will furnish more anon,,when I have given, the enemy the slip. ' < ,-> , Hark! the Thames " Highlander*''are. at it hammer and tongs, they 1 .have witnessed the capture of the Stab'*. special, and are making every effort to release him from ignominious thraldom. "Hurrah! come on my hearties!" I 1 am 1 pressed down under cover by twofguardr detailed to watch me. I watch anxiously" as one after the other are popped off. 1 With a cheer, Watson rushes up and/ 1 carries me off by the scruff, my note book and pencil in hand. He tells me lam intoxicated, and I retire in dudgeon to send you this veracious report. . I have made my escape, and find that military movements both' defensive' and • offensive on the enemy were.carried on, and the brigade returned to Auckland at 4 o'clock. The Thames Volunteers again dismissed to the billets in Auckland for tea, after which the Scottish and a portion of the Naval Brigade fell in at the foot of Upper Queen street and marched to the

wharf, embarking in the Sotomahana which arrived early this morning at the Thames. Captain Wildman, /his officers and men, having received an, invitation to visit the German man-o'-war, has remained with a number of his meiil town, with the intention of availing themselves of that invitation during, to-day. The Thames men were, weft"e,ntertajne4 by their Auckland comrades. Crowds of

Auckland citizens accompanied' the men to the wharf, loudly cheering as the men left the wharf. The Scottish Band played in compliment, " The girls we leave behind us" and "Anld :Lang Syne.' When passing the German war ship, the " Watch' on the Rhine " was played. -. < <