Our Volunteers.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 274, 25 October 1902, Page 3

Our Volunteers.

THE STUDHOLME MOUNTED RIFLES.

On Tuesday the corps had a field day. The idea was that an advanced guard of an enemy, having its base at Studholme, was operating between Mitchell’s Road on the north, Willowbridge on the south, and the Park on the west. The

“ enemy,” under Lieutenant Studholme, and distinguished by white haversacks, rode out half an hoar before the others, under Captain Garland. The latter officer divided his force into three, under Lieut. Fisher, Sergeant-Major Henderson and Quartermaster-Sergeant Wain. The enemy was first encountered by the Sergeant-Major on the slaughterhouse road and driven back. Desultory firing took place at several points and the enemy converged on Willowbridge crossing. They held this position for a little while against an inferior force, but meanwhile Captain Garland sent a couple of flanking patrols, which caused them to make a bolt down the road to the beach. Here they made a stand and were kept in play by Lieutenant Fisher, while Sergeant-Major Henderson took a couple of sections past Hannaton schoolhouse and fell on them in the rear, thus causing them to surrender. Only one section, which had been holding Mitchell’s Road, escaped. The dispositions of the attacking party by Captain Garland were excellent, and were smartly carried out. The whole offered excellent practice in opposing or attacking a mobile force in open country. On Thursday morning camp was struck at 8.30 and the ground thoroughly cleared. After a couple of hours’ dismounted drill, an early lunch was taken and the last “ Boot and saddle ” was blown. When the corps was drawn up Captain Garland thanked officers, non-coms and men for their assistance in making the camp so pleasant. He felt it a great honour to command such a fine body of men, and one in which orders were so cheerfully obeyed. The corps then marched to the racecourse, where the sports were hold.

The men were highly pleased witli their week’s camp, and there were no infractions of discipline. Captain Garland and his officers and non-coms treated the men with every consideration, and, as stated to the orderly officer thi’ee times a day, there were “ no complaints.” THE SPORTS.

The Rifles’ proverbial luck held good, for after a beautiful morning the afternoon was keen and cloudy. However, it did not rain, and the events were v r atched with interest by a large number of people. Some contests were very exciting, notably the wrestling on horseback, the determined struggles of Trooper Kelcher against Sergeant W. Lindsay eliciting hearty applause. However, the smaller man was completely exhausted, and he only then gave in. The rescue race was productive of much amusement, and the flat race was a very good event, the runner-up (Trooper Dyer) and his follower (Trooper Hoskins, on a game little pony) coming in for hearty applause. Captain Gillies and Mr E. 0. Studholrae acted as judges and timekeepers, SergeantMajor Henderson as starter, and Lieutenant Studholme was in charge, with Corporal Hoskins as secretary. Following are the results : Hurdle Race, prizes by Messrs Miller and Dash and the N.M. and A. Company ; Sergeant Freeman 1, Trooper Bell 2, QuartermasterSergeant Wain 3. Night Alarm, prizes by 0.F.0.A.. and Guinness and LeOren : Corporal Manchester’s section 1, Corporal Keltfher's 3. Lloyd-Lindsay, prize by Mr E. C. Studholrae: Sergeant Freeman’s section. Novel Race, prizes by Messrs Franklin and Meyers and Jones: Trooper Twomey 1, Sergeant Dunbar 2.

Half sections over hurdles, prizes by Mr J. F. Douglas and Dalgety and Co. : Sergeant Freeman 1, Q.M. Sergeant Wain 2. Wrestling on horseback, prize by Mr H. Slee : Sergeant Lindsay 1, Sergeant Dunbar 2. Led sections, prize by Lieutenant Studholme, Trooper J. Mercer. Balaclava melee, prizes by Messrs Cochrane and Ruddenklau: Sergt. Dunbar’s section. Rescue race, prizes by Wills and Brain; Corporal Scott 1, Corporal Manchester 2. Flat Race, prize*by Mr Arthur Jones: Trooper Studholme 1,