EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2505, 19 May 1909, Page 6

EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

THE AIA KAURI CAMP. Sixty members of the East Coast Mounted Rifles have just entered upon an eight days’ camp in one of Air George Witters’ paddocks at Alakauri, •and yesterday a few townsmen were invited out to lunch with the office re and inspect the camp. Amongst those present were the Mayor (Air AV. D. Lysnar), Messrs A. Dewing, AV. Miller, Chas. Evans, A. J. and 1) .P. Cameron, W. Gordon, and press representatives. The weather was, fortunately, fine, and the array of tents, with tho other features of a volunteer encampment, constituted a picturesque scene. A good deal of activity has recently been shown in the squadron, with the result that it is now of very creditable strength, and t-lie keen; spirit of tho members is indicated by the fact that of a membership of 67, all but seven have sacrificed their ordinary interests in order to be able to participate in the work that is being carried out in the field. Of tlie seven absent two are away from the district and three are absent through illness. Four of the men, it may be added, are from AVairoa, and these are to he specially complimented upon their attendance and their evident devotion to volunteering. A large proportion of the men are new to the work of a mounted rifles corps, but as they paraded yesterday for the inspection of the visitors they presented a very striking appearance, being for the most paid lusty looking young fellows of capital physique and hardy in the extreme.

After a first-class lunch had been partaken of the visitors were taken round the camp by Captain Ilellier Evans, who explained the main features and indicated the work that is being done. The Captain was particularly proud of the men’s equipment .and apparently with good reason. The Government provides the tents, rifles, and ammunition, but there is a good deal still required before a mounted rifle man can be said to be ready for service conditions. Tlie men themselves provide their own horses, and blankets; and the corps supplies a water jiroof covering for the volunteer’s belongings. The tents are ali as neat and cleanly as the proverbial new pin, suggesting most methodical habits on tlie part of the inmates. The men sleep on straw, six in a tent, and nature’s bedding is gathered up in the morning and placed 'tidily around the edges of the canvass cottage with each man’s bundle of blankets carefully folded and enclosed in its cover, placed on top of the straw. There is nothing obviously superfluous in the tents, yet there is everything that is absolutely indispensable. The officers’ quarters are somewhat more roomy than- those of the troopers, and have stretchers, and a few extras in keeping with the position of the occupants.

Besides the sleeping quarters there is - a large mess room where the men have their meals, and as it is furnished amongst other articles, with a piano, it can be understood that it is a popular resort during the evenings. There is also- the mess room of the- officers, and of the sergeants, an orderly room, •tent, canteen, forage tent, etc. The men are equipped with the most up-to-date arm that can now be obtained. It is the Lee-Enfield short rifle, one of the latest design. This rifle lias only just been issued from the manuiaeturers. Captain Evans- received. the supply for his squadron a few days ago, and it is understood that no other corps in the North Island has yet obtained this modern weapon. It is a very short rifle and appears to contain many new and useful features as compared with those that- have been familiar to volunteers in the past. After the . camp had been inspected and the visitors had admired the appearance of the men, their camp, and their horses, as well as the evident enthusiasm of all concerned, the squadron was -assembled for tlie purpose of permitting Captain Evans to make a pressontation of the following serivee medals:: —Nine years’ service, gold star, Sergeants McCullough and Oates..Troopur T. Leslie; six- year’s service,, -red badge, Trooper HaPU; . three years’ service, Trooper Hughes, Corporals Bcatson and Walker, Troopers B. J. Brown and Tietjen. Quartermaster-Sergeant Fairlie was presented with an award for marksmanship (Sergeant-Major Kinder and Quarter-master-Sergeant Zaohariah also qualified, hut have since left the squadron). ’Trooper' Tombleson was awarded a badge for signalling, for which Sergeant Major Spragg and Bugler Tombleson also qualified. The Hon. James Carroll then addressed the men briefly, congratulating them upon their appearance and upon the spirit of devotion to their country •and to the Empire which had actuated them in taking up the s-plenffid work of volunteering. Captain Evans briefly replied after which the men went through their customary mounted drill. Some useful training in being undergone, under the direction of Staff-Set-goant-Major Burr. Colonel Beauchamp, Officer Commanding the Wellington District, arrives on a visit of inspection to-day. Lectures were delivered on Monday evening by Lieutenant. Pbynter on “Silent Signalling,” by Lieutenant Hamilton on “Outpost Duty,” and Veterinary* Captain Burton on “Ailments- of the Horse.” Sergeant Cole lectured on “Rifle Shooting and the Care of Arms,” and Quartermaster Fairlie on “Care of XJ ll iform and Equipment.” Tlie officer of tlie day was Lieutenant AYitters. Sergeant McCullough, am] Corporal Walker were orderly non-commissioned officers.