GENERAL BABINGTON'S VISIT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8140, 18 May 1906, Page 5

GENERAL BABINGTON'S VISIT.

VARIOUS CORPS INSPECTED. The Masterton Rifle Volunteers and the "E" Company of the sth Battalion were |inspecfed, yesterday afternoon, by General Babington, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, who was accompanied by Major J. G. Hughes, D 5.0., as his staff officer. Colonel Drummoud and Mnjor Tate, of tfce sth Battalion, were the 1 staff officers of the sth Battaliou. The companies were marched to the paddock at Messrs Abreham and Williams' saleyarda, where they were first inspected, and then every man questioned by the General as to his, knowledge of his rifle and other points which every volunteer should know. The two companies wore then formed up in skirmishing order and exercised, under the directions of the General, by Colonel Drummond and Major Tate. The movements were done cleanly throughout, and at the conclusion General Babington addressed the men. lie told them that he was very pleased with the number of men ou parade, more particularly/ as he had had some very poor parades in other districts, and as be had been informed by the officers that praotioally every man who could possibly attend was present. Although they had not had a great deal of time to show what they could do, still the work tbey had done pointed clearly to the fact that both corps were in a very efficient state. If tha absent members were up to the standard of those present, the two corps had nothing to fear. Of course, he did not wish them to think that they had nothing to learn—no one was in that position but they had clearly shown that they knew their work.

The Masterton Rifles were com manded by Captain Charters, and had 22 on parade; the "E" Company mastered 25 under Captain Parkinson and Lieut. Skey. The two oompanies ware afterwards exercised in battalion movements by Colonel Drummond, Major Tate, Captains Charters and Parkinson.

The Masterton Mounted Rifles afld the Wafrarapa Mounted Rifles (Native) also paraded at the Bale yards. Major Bolton was in command. There were 32 members of the Masterton Mounted Rifles present, under Captain Cameron 'and Lieuts. MoKillopJ and Whittaker, and 18 members of the Wairarapa Mounted Rifles under Captain Jury and JLieuts. Puhara Te Tau and' Whaiti. The two corps were exercised in various movements. General Babington expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the men went through their drill. He also expressed pleasure at the large muster of the Masterton Mounted Rifles, but stated that he would have liked to have seen more members of the Wairarapa Mounted RiflbS present.