GRAND REVIEW OF THAMES VOLUNTEERS AND WAIKATO CAVALRY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue XIII, 15 April 1879, Page 2

GRAND REVIEW OF THAMES VOLUNTEERS AND WAIKATO CAVALRY.

The Thame3 Volunteers, with that spirit which has ever distinguished the community, started on Saturday en route from Graharastown to the Waikato. Three hundred Volunteers were expected to muster, but when the roll was called a grand total of four hundred and eighty rank and file were counted. On arriving in Auckland the Thames Scottish were quartered at the Thames Hotel, and at this hotel the popular udjuHnt of the company, Mr G. Symmington, of the Governor Bowen, provided substantial refreshments for all hauds.' The Engineers and Rangers went to the City Buffet, the Nayals to the Waitemata, and the Native Volunteers to the Metropolitan.

The following is a list of officers and men of the various companies: —

Hauraki Engineers : 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, -1 Sub-Lieutenant, 5 Sorgeantf, 21 B ind 40 rank and file, total, 69. Thames Scotish : 1 Cjl. 1 Mfijor, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Sublieutenant, 1 Adjutant,l Quarter-master Sargeunt, 13 Sergeants, 27 Band, rank and file, 109; total 157. Thames Rifle Rangers: 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sub-Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 33 rank and file; total 40- Native Volunteers: 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sub-Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants,24 rank and file; total 29. Thames Naval Brigade: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Sub-Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, 13. Band, 82 rank and file; total 12. Tuame3 Scottish Cadets : 1 Captain, 1 L'eutenant, 2 Sergeants, 36 rank and file; total 40. Naval Cadets : 1 Lieutenant. 1 Sub-Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, 35 rank and file ; total 39.

Seven o'clock on Sunday morning was the hour arranged for the special train to leave Auckland. The companies, headed by the bands, attracted a great crowd to the station as they marched up. The Engineers, being the senior, were first in the train, under Oapt: Small, Lieuts. Denby and Barlow; No. 1 TS.V., uuder Lieuts. Dey, Johnson, and Brownlow; No. 2 T.SV., under Capt. Watson ; Thames Naval Brigade, under Capt. Wildman, Lieuts. Gavin, Lawless, and Brown : Thames Rifle Rangers, under Capb^ tfarrell, and Lieuts. Hunter, Grant, and Cloutt ; Thames Scottish Cadets, under Capt. Mennie and Lieut. Short; 3t. George's Cadets, under Lieut. Savage; Thames Native Volunteers, under Capt. Tdipari, Lieuts. Raika and Matiu Poona, and the Hon. Honi Nahe.

As carriage accommodation for only three hundred had been prepared, a delay ensued shunting more carriages. The special train lofb at 8 o'clock. A large number of friends of the Thames Volunfcesrs wenb to the Auckland station, intending to come up, but Major Murray declined to allow any other than Volunteers to ride in the train on the ground that the train was obtained for a specific purpose, viz., to convey Volunteers to a review. Even honorary members were refused admittance into the train. Such decision and consistent action will, however, commend itself to all right-thinking men. If friends had been permitted to ride on this occasion a precedent would thereby have been established which would have caused future Volunteer specials to be rushed, and might possibly so

ernbarass railway officials as to lead to the stoppage of such trains in future.

Sundays special proceeded- up the line, without any particular incident beyoud tho fiicS that several helmets went overboard, and two rollicking Navals got left behind at Hmtley Station. At half-past one o'clouk, the train arrived at Hamilton Station. The Hamilton Contingent of the To Awamutu Troop were drawn up in readiness to receive their comrades. There were also a large number of settlers present to accord a welooraa to the Thames Volunteers. Major Murray in ommaud of the latter, ordered the men into position, , and handed over the command to Colonel Lyon, the oificer commanding the district. An imposing procession started from the station, growing larger as it proceeded. On arriving in Hamilton, flags were to.be seen flying from Gwvnn's Hotel to th Times Office. , The Mayor of Hamilton (together with many of the chief residents of the district) was waiting to receive the visitors. On being drawn up, His Worship addressed the Thames Volunteers as follows : — " Gentlemen, — As representing the Borough of Hamilton, and I think I may also say, the settlers of the Waikato, 1 have very great pleasure in welcoming you to our district. As soldiers, I am uure you will be received heartily by your comrades in arms in the Waikato, but I now wish t» receive you and make you welcome as fellow-settlers. (Cheeiv). You have-on this occasion come a very ioug way to meet us, and we appreciate the compliment highly, and hope to be able to return it soon ; but when the " iron horse" has connected our districts, or rather ma le them ons, we hope to meet each other often. Your bigh character as soldiers is established, aud we feel quite certain that men having the qualities to make good soldiers are sure to x make good settlers (cheers) and desirable neighbors. Gentlemen, I'm quite certain that I only feebly express the sentiments of the entire district when I sa/ we are glad to see you, that we hope you will enjoy your trip, and that we may often see you again. (Loud applstuse). Colonel Fraser, on behalf of the Thames Volunteers returned sincere thanks for the welcome the latter had received. He hoped their visit was but the firstof many others, and that their several districts would shortiy be connected by the railroad, and existing barriers to frequent intercourse be baoken down. (Loud chaers.)

The men were dismissed, and at once taken to their allotted quarters, and supplied with refreshment. The Scottish were quartered at Pearces' Commercial. The Engineer's and Rifle Rangers at Gwynne's Hamilton Hotel. ' The Naval Brigade at Dawson's Hotel. The Native Contingent at the old A.C. Barracks. The Cadets at the Victoria Hall.

In the evening, the quarters of the different corps were visited by Major Murray and an officer of tho Hamilton Contingent, for the purpose of ascertaining if everything had been done for the comfort of the visitoas. Everything was found to be satisfactory, although in places, notably at the Victoria Hall, the men, or rather boys, seemed to be lying pretty thick. And here it may not be out of place to say a word as to the admirable arrangements made, by the hotelkeepers of the place.- It is no light thing that nearly 600 able bodied men should be suddenly thrown upon the resources of a small town such as Hamilton. Yet we have not heard of one individual going away hungry or dissatisfied. The arrangements made with the hotelkeepers were also of the most reasonable kind and to them belongs in a great measure the kudos of engendering the kindly feeling of friendship which the Thames Volunteers have undoubtedly taken away with them towards Waikato generallv.

In the evening the members of the various companies, with the Scottish Band, attended Church. Service was conducted by the Rev. Mr Calder, Chaplain to the Hamilton contingent A most impressive sermon was delivered.

At six o'clock in the morning the reveille sounded : Dross at 8.30, assembly at 9 o'clock.

The assembling of the Cavalry at Hamilton was watched with interest as it was uncertain with the short notice some men would receive how many would come forward. Nearly every man who received notice appears to have attended.

Some little delay was caused at the punt, but at about nine o'clock about 64 of the Cambridge Troop fell in, under command of Captain Runciusan, Lieutenant Fisher and Sub-Lieutenant Kirkwood. The muster of their corps reflects the greatest credit upon both officers and men. As will be seen from the returns they greatly outnumbered the other corps, although in the case of Te Awamutu the distance no doubt prevented as many from attending as would otherwise have been present. The Cambridge corps brought with them I heir band in uniform which presented a very smart and soldierly appearance.

The troops were told off and marched on the review ground. The Te Awamutu troop, 38 in number, were under Lieuts. Rutherford and Wetherall. The Hamilton Contingent, numbered 41, commanded by Sab - Lieutenant Johnson, Lieu-

tenant Whitaker and Captain McPherson acting as Aide-de-Camp to Colonel Lyon. Cavalry Drill-Instructor Carley for the first time occupied the position vacated bv the 'death of the late Sergt.-Major Fraser.