GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1202, 11 March 1880, Page 2

GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.

The Cambridge Troop of the Waikato • Cavalry were inspected on Monday la.st by Colonel Leckie. The troop mustered at the Hall at 10 a.m., and after the usual preliminaries proceeded to a paddock kindly granted by Mr A. A. Fantham. Including the band, which mustered very thinly, there were 55 of all ranks on parade. Colonel Leckie, who was accompanied by Colonel Lyon, was received with a general salute, ami at once proceeded to inspect the ranks. The troops then marched past by squadron ; galloped past by squadron ; performed pursuing practice at the halt, and afterwards threw out skirmishers, and retiring by half sections from the right ; then throwing out skirmishers and re til ing by halt sections from the left. This part of the drill was not performed i as it should have been, though, when it | is remembered that many of the men rode fresh horses. ; that two of the officers were absent, and that the weather waa anything but favourable — a drizzling rain falling all the morning, little better could have been expected. Colonel Leckiu addressed the men in a short speech, remarking on their shortcomings, but expressing his appreciation of such a fino body of well mounted men. In the afternoon the weather was a little better, and the troop assembled at the 1 ifle range for carbine practice, riding quarter of a mile at speed over two hurdles, concluding with rapidity ball practice. At this the men showed to much better advantage than in the morning, and the inspecting officer expressed himself thoroughly satisfied with what he saw. PRE>ENTATIO\. After the morning jMKide the troop was drawn up in hollow square near tho Public Hall, when Captain Runciman took occasion to present Trooper A. Forrest with the Whitworth rifle, tho gift of Major Hay, won by him at the late rifle contest. Captain Kunciman, in making tho presentation, said he was pleased to see the youngest member of the troop occupying the prominent position of its best shot for the year. He hoped, however, that this success would not be the means of making him vain, but that it would serve to inspire him with a determination to excel in all things connected with hits position as a member of the troop. Trooper Forrest having thanked tho captain in suitable terms, three cheers were called for the successful competitors and a heartly responded to, and the proceedings came to an end.

Poetry and Pkose. — They were walking sinu-in-arm up the street, ami just ahead of them was a woman hi a splendid dress. The setting sun was gliding the western heavens and throwing a beautiful crimson irlow Jill over tho eavtli. H e t,ai(l, in «i subdued tone, "lsn't it lovely l-*" , k tvi'M, I don't 'oiow,*' was the reply of his f.iir foninmiou : ( 'I don't think the trimming-ail itches very Avell. and it doesn't lit her a bit.*' He shuddered.