THE VOLUNTEERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2438, 1 March 1909, Page 6

THE VOLUNTEERS.

INSPECTION OF COMBINED CORPS. The combined inspection of the Gisborne Rifles, East Coast Mounted Rifles, and the Defence Cadets took place on Saturday afternoon on the sandhills adjoining the leading lights, by the Inspector-General, who was accompanied by Major Hislop. There was a strong muster of each corps. Forty-one of the Gisborne Rifles, under Captain Beere; thirtyfive Mounted Rifles, under Captain Tombleson; and 27 Cadets, under Lieutenant Somervell. ■

On. Friday evening Colonel Davies delivered a lecture to officers and non-commissioned officers on tho subject of protecting a body of troops, both on. the march and at rest, and the work carried out on Saturday was a practical illustration of the colonel’s lecture.

The Gadete represented the main body, and the Mounted Rifles formed a screen, with a. half-company of the Gisborne Rifles forming a support to the screen and the other half-company acting as -rear-guard.' In this formation the troops moved along across the sandhills, taking every precaution that would be necessary if thfcy were actually passing through au enemy’s country. After proceeding some distance the order to return was given, and the same order was observed on the return journey, except that the half-company, of the Gisborne Rifles, that had previously been acting as a rear-guard, were now the

advance party. On returning to the starting point, the troops formed into a Hollow square, and were addressed by the Inspector-General. In the. course of his remarks Colonel Davies emphasised the necessity of outdoor work in order that tlio troops should attain efficiency. 'He referred to the work tliat-had been carried "on that afternoon, and pointed out that one essential feature of such work was that the supports- should, keep in touch with the main body, ami. -not as many supposed that the main body should keep in touch with the supports. Colonel Davies, at the ■conclusion of -an interesting address, expressed himself as'very well pleased with the performance of the troops,, and with the largo attendance. It was the last in-

spection he would hold in the present volunteer year, and in again emphasising the necessity j. for plenty of outdoor work he incidentally remarked that all throughout the year he had not held an inspection indoors, but always in the open air. Colonel Davies and Major Hislop both left for south last evening by the s.s. Monowai.

THE GISBORNE RIFLES. l - , , RIFLE TEAM FOR. TRENTHAM. The following members of the Gisborne Rifles left for south last night to take part in the annual Trentham meeting:—Sergeants Rait and Breingan, Lance-Corporals AlcGuffie and Barney, Privates Kingston and Cannam. The meeting commences at the Trentham range on Thursday morning. EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. A largely-attended meeting of the corps .was Held in the Garrison Hall on Saturday night for tho purpose of electing a captain, vice Captain Tombleson, who is resigning the office, and a lieutenant. Captain Tombleson presided over the meeting, and Lieutenant C. Hollie.r Evans was appointed captain of tho corps, and Sergeant- J. Poynter was elected as lieutenant.