Our Volunteers.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 271, 18 October 1902, Page 3

Our Volunteers.

THE STUDHOLME MOUNTED IN CAMP. On Thursday afternoon the Studholme Mounted Rifles went into camp for their third year's week of training. The site chosen for the camping ground is Knottingly Park, and here ample shelter is obtaiued for man and beast. The tents are pitched near a clump of trees on the west side, a few hundred yards from the main entrance gate, and the horse lines, which are close by, are completely phe'tered on three sides. As the weather during the last two days has not been of the best it is vnry fortunate that the camping g r ound has these natural advantages. Those important institutions, the mess tants, are near the Park well. The catering is in (he capable hands of Mr W. Miller, and he and his staff of assistants are kept busy from eirly morning coffee till lights out. The free, active life is unrivalled as an aid to digestion, and ewry trooper should gain weight during the present campaign. All arrangements in camp were in the hands of Quartermaster-Sergeant Wain and Sergeant-Major Henderson, and every detail received attention. THE ORDEB OP THE DAY. On Thursday afternoon little could be done save to get the camp in order. Pickets and guards were posted and the troopers had an uneventful night. Early to bed was followed by a half-past five lbvoille on Friday, and after an acoeptable cip of coffee stables engaged attention. Ample time was allowed for this, and a \va-m before ihe " Cookhouse door" w«s blown, at 7 a.m. As the newspapers say, " full justice was done to the repast." The company paraded with led horses for inspection at 9, and shortly after para led mounted. The morning's work was done in a paddock kindly lent by " The Waimate " Estate. This i 3 conveniently situated on the hill side of the Park, and afforded splendid going. The troop was commanded by Captain Garland and Lieutenants C. Studholme and Fisher, Lieutenant Browne, drill instructor for the South Island, and who is in charge of the camp, being also on parade. The troop was given a good morning's exercise in division movements and in the methods of attack. Some exercise was also given in range finding. Alter dinner a dismounted parade was called, and after inspection of arms instruction was given in posting pickets and cossack posts and in the duties peitaining to these. Volley and independent firing were practised in connection with advancing and retiring movements, a great deal of useful work bring got through. On Sunday there will be a church parade to St. Augustine's Church. The camp will be open to visitors in the afternoon. Practice for Thursday's sports is commencing. By all accoun s there will be a capital afternoon's sport. THE INSTRUCTOR. Lieut. Browne, the instructor, is eminently well fitted for his responsible position of Instructor for the South Island. He served at Home in the 14th Hussars, and also in the Cape Mounted Police, the crack corps of South Africa, and one which made it 3 mark during the present war. He took part in the South African war* of 1877, 1878 and 1879, ot 1880 and 1881 (Basuto war) and the campaign of 1900, 1901 and 1902, and wears three medals. After leaving Sout h Africa in 1881 he served sixteen years in India, being for nine years Instructor in the Punjaub Light Hors?. On completion of his service, two years and three months ago, he came to New Zealand and was made Instructor in Wellington districc being sent to South Africa with the Seventh Contingent for instructional purposes, and on his return was posted as Instructor to the South Island mounted aorps. He drilled the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Contingents. Lieut. Browne is a smart, soldierly man, and has already gained the confidence of the corps he is at present instructing. _He considers the Studholme Mounted Rifles have an exceptionally good lot of horses, aud as regards drill the men can compare favourably with any corps in the Island.