Our Thames Volunteers in Auckland.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4006, 31 October 1881, Page 2

Our Thames Volunteers in Auckland.

[By Telegbafh.J

Auckland, This day.

The Auckland Star makes the following allusion to the departure of the Thames Volunteers in to-night's issue :— ,' Shortly before four o'clock on Saturday afternoon the Eotomahana, having on board the Thames Volunteers en route to the front, steamed up to the wharf. A large crowd of sightseers had assembled to witness the debarkation, the natty uniforms of the Artillery band being noticeable amongst the throng. Hearty cheers were given for the gallant fellows as they defiled across the gangway, and with soldierlike steadiness aod silence "Fellin." The Thames contingent was accompanied by Major Watson (the popular commander ot the Thames Scottish Battalion), Quartermaster-Ser^t. Eawdon, and a number of members of the Battalion and baud, who were auxious to see their confreres fairly off, and wish them God speed on their journey. After a few minutes delay the men were marched to the drill shed and there dis missed, proceeding subsequently to their billets at the Army and Davy Hotel and elsewhere. The Naval Brigade is composed of fine looking young follows, with one or two exceptions all being under the age of thirty. Their physique is admirable, and should the present trouble eventuate in blows will no doubt give a good account of themselves. Capt. Wildman, who is also in command of the contingent- by |virtue being the senior officer, commands the "Boys in Blue." Ho is a voluuteer officer of four or five years standing, and is thoroughly idolised by his men. He has always taken the greatest interest in Voluuteer matters, having for two years past .accompanied the Naval representatives to the annual prize firing at Nelson. Lieut. Gavin, T.N.8., has been connected with the corps since its foundation, and is an excellent officer. Lieut. Gordon is a popular officer, and one of the best carbine shots in the colony, having carried off the Carbine Champion Belt the year before last at the New Zealand Association meeting. W. H. Potts, a veteran of the last war, also accompanies the Brigade. The Scottish Battalion is in charge of Captain Johnston, who carries medals for the fiercest engagements of the Crimea and ludiau Mutiuy. Capt. Johnstone has been connected with the Battalion for upwards of teu years, having risen from the ranks to his present position. He is a thoroughly reliable man, and the high degree of efficiency to which the corps has attained is chiefly owing to his exertions. Lieut. Burns, his second in command, has also risen from the rnnks. Adjutant Schofield is noted as being one of the best infantry drills in the Colony, and under bis supervision the recruits will very speedily be " knocked into shape." He obtained his experience in connection with the Tasmanian Volunteers, and is a captain of the New Zealand Militia. The rank and file of the Battalion are principally men in the prime of life—broad chested hardy miners—many of whom are old soldiers. The detachment of Hauraki Engineers though not as soldierlike as their compeers, will no doubt give a good account of themselves; they are under the command of Lieut. O'Sullivan. It having been reported that the majority of the Thames men had volunteered from self interested motives, because they could not obtain employment, we took the trouble to make enquiries on the matter, and found that with very few exceptions the Volunteers were leaving steady employment, In the Naval Brigade is a party of tributers whose last crushing finished a fortnight ago gave them upwards of two hundred ounces of gold from about twenty tons of quartz. We could name dozens of instances illustrating our assertion. Volunteering on the goldfields is permeated with an esprit de corps which is too seldom found in the ranks of citizea soldiery. On Saturday evening Major Withers entertained the Commissioned Officers of the Thames contingent to dinner at his private residence. Upper Queen street. After a substantial repast a number of toasts were drunk, and the utmost unanimity and* good fellowship prevailed. Yesterday morning the contingent assembled at the drill shed for roll call, and after dismissal the majority of thorn attended asr-rice at the various churches.

Shortly before 9 o'clock this morning the reveille sounded, and the volunteers mustered promptly at the drill shed. After roll-call the officers received minute instructions concerning the entraining and detraining of the contingent; a colored blanket was handed to every man, after which the order was given to dismiss till 10.30, the hour appointed for the march to the train. In the interval about 20 members of the Auckland Companies joined the Contingent, so Capt. Johnstone finding that the force was likely to be augmented ia Auckland, telegraphed on Saturday for a supply of arms and accoutrements wnicli came to hand in time to be served out to the recruits before the final muster. Had it been generally known that recruits would have been received by tie Thames officers there would have been a much larger number of Auckland men now en route to the Plains. At 10.30 the contingent fell in, and headed by the Scottish Band marched to the train The Scottish occupied the post of honor, the H avals following, and the Engineers bringing up the rear. Notwithstanding the drizzling rain an immense concourse of people accompanied the column, while the windows along the line of march were crowded with faces. Arrived at the railway station a train of ten carriages with luggage waggons attached, was found waiting to convey the contingent to Onehunga. Major Withers superintended the entraining, and the Hon Mr Whitaker was also at the station, and went through the carriages saying cheery words to the men, and seeing to their comfort. What with bidding farewell to friends and acquaintances, it was fully ten minutes after the arrival at the station before the men were ready to start. However, the last good-byes were said, and Bugle-Major Hawkins sounded the forward, and slowiy the train moved from the station to the soul inspiring strains of " The girl I left behind me." Hearty cheers were given for the Volunteers and a special one for Capt Wildman. They left the Manakau at two o'clock, and will probably be marched to Fungarehu immediately after their arrival.