VOLUNTEER STAFF RIDE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3209, 8 June 1909, Page 6

VOLUNTEER STAFF RIDE.

IMPORTANT MANOEUVRES AT PALMERSTON NORTH. MASTEKTON MOUNTED RIFLES REPRESENTED. The holding of a staff ride in connection with the whole of the Wellington District; Mounted Rifle Volunteer Companies, at Palmerston North, on Sunday last, was an affair of considerable importance and value. Officers from Masterton and neighbouring mounted companies were present, and the manoeuvres were of an exceedingly interesting character. A meeting of officers from the whole Wellington Military District was held in the Mounted Rifles' orderly room on Saturday. Those present included:—Major Russell, Captain Sandtmann and Lieut. Chambers, representing No. 4 Regiment. Major Cameron, Captain McKillop, Sgn. Capt. Cook, Lieuts. Whittaker and Logan, No. 2 Regiment. Lieuts. Muir and Sutherland, No. 1 Regiment. Lieut.-Colonel Pringle, Capt.Adjt. Palmer and Capt. Q. M. Jickell, Capt. Peach, Lieuts. Batchelar, Smith and Pleasants, No. 3 Regiment. Lieut. Willis (Wellington Highland Rifles), Capt. Warden, Capt. Gaites (Campbell Street School Cadets), Cap'.. Lyons (College Street School Cadets), Captain Foote and Lieut. Murray (High School Cadets). Staff-Sgt.-Major Burr, Instructor No. 2 Regiment, SgtMajor Dovey, Instruuctor No. 3 Regiment, Lieut. Powell (Otaki Rifles), Captain Mostyn-Jones (Feilding Rifles) unattached. A "special idea" wa3 submitted by Col. Bauchope, to the effect that a state of war existed, a force of invaders had landed at Foxton and was menacing Palmeraton, A second force was to be detailed to oppose the raiders. A special order was submitted at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening by the O.C. to the Palmerston troops to the following effect:—"You will oppose the hostile troops and deny them any passage across the Tararua range (the Gorge is impassable), your command consists of the following troops: —1 battalion of field artillery, 4 guns; 2 regiments of mounted rifles, 400; 3 battalions of infantry, 700; 1 company of engineers, 60; 1 field ambulance, 20; 40 signallers; 20 cyclists; ammunition column; second line of transport and supply column." The following appointments were afterwards made: —Officer Commanding Forces, Lieut.-Col. Pringle; Chief Staff Officer, Major Russell; Artillery Officers, Captain Jickell; Engineer Officer, Capt. Jonep. Officers Commanding - Troops—-

0.C.M.A., Major Cameron and StaffCapt. Peach; 0.C.N0 1. Kegiment, Capt. J. C. McKillop and StaffLieut. Batchelor; O.C. No. 2 Regiment, Liejt. Muir and Staff-Lieut. Sutherland. Transport Officer, Lieut. Smith; Medical Officer, Surgeon-Captain Cook; Officer Commanding Mounted Troops, Major Cameron: Staff Officer, Captain Peach; Officer Commanding Willis, together with Capts. Lyon and Gabites; Officer Commanding Rear Ground. Lieut. Chambers Commanding Advance Guard, Lieut. Pleasants; Directors of Manoeuvres, Col. Bauchope, Major McDonald and Capt. Adjt. Sandtmann. The object of the manoeuvres was entirely educative and as such the results were completely satisfactory. The whole affair was conducted under actual service conditions, each officer being responsible for his special department, and nothing was left to haphazard. On arrival at headquarters at 5 p.m.. all the officers handed in their respective reports. These were d.ly criticised by the dirfictors. In the evening an informal discussion took place on the reports, and the directors' comments thereon, the whole of the day's proceedings proving highly i instructive. J The Manawatu Mounted Rifles entertained the visitors during the course of their stay, and the Masterton officers are loud in their praise of the hospitable manner in I which they were treated by their Manawatu comrades.