WAIKATO MOUNTED INFANTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 303, 18 June 1898, Page 2

WAIKATO MOUNTED INFANTRY.

The review of the Waikato Mounted Infantry was held at Heaphy Terrjce yesterday afternoon. Col. . Pole-Peuton, Col. Banks, Major Madclox and Captain Coleman were present, and about 63 men were on parade. On the arrival of the reviewing officer, the men who were drawn up in line under Capt. Reid and Lieutenants N. I. Hunt and G. Hurdwood, received him with a general salute. Colonel Penton then inspected the ranks, and found everything, including the arms, in a satisfactory condition. Capt. Reid was then instructed to inarch his company past in column of sections. They then went through several movements in line, forming columns ot divisions, moving to left aud right. Then they were put to skirmishing order and extended, and volley firing by sections given. With the exception of the dressing the movements Tore executed in a most creditable •r.r.nner. The command was then given to udvi.D-e the whole company in the direction of the Cambridge Road, in the expectation of meeting an enemy. On that order an advance guard was sent out and pickets posted. The pickets were called in, and an advance guard formed from the rear of the company, which was marched back and formed up at the hall. Col. Penton then addressed the officers and non-commissioned officers. He said the company was certainty not a firstclass one ; but this was scarcely to be expected, as it was of recent formation. However, he was agreeably, surprised at the progress made, and the company promised well. The men were of good stamp and the horses, with few exceptions, were what was wanted, and if every attention was paid to the officers and non-commis-sioned officers, there was no reason why they should not before lone possess a corps which will be a credit to the Waikato. This morning the corps will fall in at the hall at 9 a.m. for volley firing under Capt. Coleman. It is expected that the firing will be over by midday and a parade will be held during the afternoon. Last evening a most enjoyable volunteer dance was given in the hall, at which Colonel Pole-Penton and the other members of the staff were present. There wus a large attendance, and excellent music was provided by Messrs J. Munro and Drury. During the evening songs were given by Messrs Baker, Drury, Livingstone, Reid, Hunt, Wallace and others.