HAMILTON CONTINGENT TE AWAMUTU TROOP.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1206, 20 March 1880, Page 2

HAMILTON CONTINGENT TE AWAMUTU TROOP.

A special meeting of the members of the Hamilton Contingent Te Awamutu Troop Cavalry Volunteers was held on Thursday evening at Gwynne's hotel. Lieutenant Whitaker, the officer commanding the contingent, occupied the chair. About 25 members of the corp were present. The resignations of Trooper H. Paton and Trooper C. Paton, now living at some distance from Hamilton, were received. The Chairman opened the meeting by stating that they had been called together to receive communications of details as to the proposed march to the Thames, to take part in the Easter Review to be held at Tararu. Sub-Lieutenant Johnson and himself had been to Cambridge and seen Colonel Lyon, with whom they had arranged the principal matters in connection with the trip. They would start on Thursday, and the drill would count from that day to the following Wednesday, both inclusive, making the six days, Sunday being a dia> hoh. He believed they would all get back by the Wednesday. The Chairman then proceeded to relate the order of march, the places selected for bivouac and rendezvous, which have already appeared in our issue of Thursday last, He would state that it had been arranged that on Friday each troop was at liberty to make a start at what hour and by what route it cho*e, but they would all rendezvous at Paeroa before 6 o'clock on the evening of that day. This would leave about 25 miles to be done on the Saturday, which would enable them to arrive at Grahamstown about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of that day. Arrangements had been made for the supply o* fodder for the horses, and for a steamer to arrive at the Thames landing 1 to convey any ladies whos<3 friends belonged to the Cavalry to proceed to Grahamstown and see the review This steamer would be at the Omahu landing at 1 p.m. on Friday, and any member of the Cavalry would thus have the opportunity of taking his lady friends to the Thames. Lieutenant Whitaker then proceeded to nominate Sergeant Hunt (the senior Sergeant) Quarter-Master Sergeant and Sergeant Coombes assistant QuarterMaster Sergeant to attend to the commissariat of both men and horses on the road, and see that the men were properly quarted. It would also be the duty of Quarter-Master Sergeant Hunt to take especial care of the ladies on the trip. These were certain matters of detail which it was very necessary every member of the troop should thoroughly understand and attend to. Each man must provide himself with a blanket of some dark colour which would be carried at the saddle bow. Those would be left at I Paeroa so that they would not be encumbered with them at the review. Each trooper, too, would have to provide himself with a leather rope 10 yards long and a nose-bag. Tether ropes a'nd nosebag* up to the number of 50 would be provided for the continpent by Lieutenant Johnson, and Mr Peat had undertaken to supply them at a cost not exceeding 4s the net. A member asked if it be necessary for troopers havinjj nosebags of their own to purchase fresh ones, and it was generally agreed that for the sake of uniformity, and in so small a matter they should do so. The Chairman said that as there would doubtless be some festivities at Grahamstown, he would recommend members to send on their oak-leaf stripes and any other requirements, such as changes of linen. For this purpose Trooyer Henry would proceed by way of Auckland to the Thames, taking with him a box for the carriage of these things. Each trooper would have to make his parcel up separately and label it, and all such parcels must be sent to the charge of Trooper Henry any time before 9 o'clock on Wednesday evening, and would be left iv charge of the landlord between now and then. He recommended them to rub up every bit of metal about their harness or accoutrements, to yet their horses into as good condition as possible in the meantime, and accustom them to hard feed, and above all to see to their feet and get their shoes removed and put in order so that none of them migbt come to grief upon the road. Bergt. Hunt suggested the trimming of the horse's tails to a uniform length. The tail should not show below the hock. The Chairman said he fully endorsed the suggestion. It was a most important matter. Nothing — not even the color or sizes of the horses-— conduced more to an appearance of uniformity than the one length of the horses' tails. These should not be cut oft' square, but pulled. Sub-Lieut. Johnson proposed, "That tho hair of the troopers should be out in military stylo as ■well as the horses' tails." — This was also agreed to. The ( 'h.iinnan stated that as this march to the Thames and review would constitute the rogular half-yearly drill, thoso who did not attend would not only render themselves liable to tines, which Mould bo •jtriotlj enforce 1, but would nho iuv-

feit their pay. He hoped there would be a general roil up. They had a really enjoyable trip before thorn. There would be plenty of sport upon the road when they met and camped with the other troops, and doubtless some little amusement at the crossing of the Waihou River. The welcome they would receive at the Thames would, he felt sure, repay them for all trouble. The movement would add to the stability of the Waikato Cavalry ; it would show that they were fit, if ever called upon, for active service, and teach them to cross country with discipline and in order. If ever they were called into active service, the Waihou River, he believed, would be the base of operations, and it was well that they should make themselves acquainted with the country, and accustom themselves to the operation of river crossing. It was arranged that the cavalry should take all arms and accoutrements and 20 rounds of service ammunition, but not their revolvers. As regards the expenses of the men, the officers would be responsible for everything — oats, forage, &c. ; so that while absent from Waikato the men would have no occasion to put their hands in their pockets, the officers paying for everything and getting reimbursed by the Government, the cost ultimately being deducted from each man's pay. He mentioned this particularly tb&t no young men need be deterred from goiug for fear of being called upon at an inconvenience to pay for this, that, or the other, but ! keep what money they had to spare for personal expenditure when at Grahamstown. A telegram from Major Murray to Major Jackson was read, stating that food and attendance would be provided for the men at os each per day of 24 hours, and at the same rate for the horses. Thus they would not cren be troubled with the care of attending to and grooming their cattle. Trooper Rothwell proposed and Trooper Neilson seconded the nomination of Mr W. S. Smith, of Whatawhata, as a member of the corps. The ballot-box not being obtainable, and it being desirable to elect Mr Smith at once so that he jdght be able to proceed with the corps to the Thames, it was proposed by Sergt. Hunt, and seconded by Trooper Neilson, " That the standing orders be suspended to enable the usual ballot to be dispensed with, and the election to take place by open voting." The Chairman said he was very unwilling that this should be done, as the ballot was a safeguard they should zealously maintain, and though on this special occasion he should agree to the proposal he trusted it would never afterwards be quoted as a precedent for future action. The standing orders having been formally suspended, Mr W. Smith was unanimously elected. Before separatiag, th« Chairman recommended them, amongst other things forwarded through Trooper Henry, to send their white glovea for church parade at the Thames. Any member of the corps living three miles out of HEarailton, on the Piako wide of the tosvn, could join the contingent en route at the nearest point on the line of march, but all living within three miles of Hamilton must come into town for the start. The meeting then separated, with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.