LORD KITCHENER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2741, 21 February 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

CABLE NEWS.

THE VICE-ROYALTY OF INDIA—A STATEMENT DENIED.

United Press Association— Copyright (Received February 20, 5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 19. The “Standard's” information relating to Lord Kitchener having been definitely offered the Vice-Royalty of India is officially denied.

A FIELD DAY NEAR DUNEDIN

I'Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Feb. 20. Contrary to expectations, the force of some 2000 men encamped at Abbotsford wore not called out unexpectedly, and paraded for inspection, according to orders previously issued at 8 a.m., yesterday. Lord Kitchener, accompanied by the Prime Minister and the members of the Defence Council, arrived by motor car from Dunedin shortly after 8 o’clock. He and his party were provided with horses, and immediately proceeded to inspect the assembled troons. The mounted rifles made a very fine display, and there is reason to believe that they were very favorably viewed by the Field Marshal. Having seen the mounted men march out of camrt Lord Kitchener inspected the infantry, the B Battery, the Engineers, ambulance corps, etc., and then stationed himself with the Premier and watched the four battalions follow the cavalry in the direction of Abbotsford. The orders given by Lord Kitchener to Lieut .-Colonel Smytlie, who was in charge of the force, were to defend Dunedin from a supposed enemy rumored to be landing at tho Taieri mouth. Between the camp and the Taieri mouth are three hills. Jeffrey Hill, Scogga Hill, and Table Hill, with a chain of hills leading from Table Hill towards Dunedin, affording a line of retreat. Lieut.-Colonel Smytlie made his arrangements promptly and thoroughly. The country in the vicinity of Dunedin has been his special study since his appointment here, and Saddle Hill and its vicinity have received his particular attention. He ordered the B brigade to take a defensive position at Jeffrey Hill, occupying Scogga Hill as a false position. Two regiments of ■mounted troops and one section of cyclists were told off as a protective force and were to occupy Scrogga. Hill, reconnoitring towards tho Taieri mouth. An advance guard, of two companies of infantry and one squadron of mounted troops, was detailed, and/ also a rearguard of one company, leaving tw 0 battalions as the main body stationed on the north side of Saddle. Hill. The engineers on the right flank threw up an entrenchment, and the left flank was similarly strengthened. A field telephone was laid down. Flag signallers appeared on all the hill tops. A field ambulance got into position not far from headquarters. The B Battery at headquarters was held in readiness to proceed to the front, and nil disposi_ tions were completed soon after midday. which, considering that it was after 9 o’clock when the force left camp, was remarkably quick work. By thus force Lieut-Col. Smytlie was ablo to command two main roads leading from the Taieri mouth, and. while occupying a particularly strong position, had available a satisfactory line of retreat along the chain of lulls, which also offered excellent opportunities to the defending force. While the arrangements were being made, Lord Kitchener, accompanied by his staff, was appearing unexpectedly in different parts of the country over which operations wore taking place. Persons interested remarked upon the consuming energy of the Field Marshal and the rapidity with which lie travelled. At one moment ho was on a distant hillside, a short distance in advance of his hotly pursuing staff. Ten minutes later the little party was descried at an entirely different point of the compass. Lord Kitchener visited every unit of the defending force, and, while staying only moments, seemed to see everything. He seldom spoke, and made no comments upon Lieut.-Colonel Smytlie’s disposition. About 1 p.m. he ordered the force held in reserve at headquarters to reinforce tho fortified position, and two battalions, the mounted rifles and the B battery, moved rapidly out to' tlio front. Lord Kitchener watched these movements close_ ]y, took one more look at the engineers’ fortifications, and, with scarcely a word, annouced that he had seen sufficient, and rode to the foot of the hill, caught his motor, and returned to Dunedin.

At 2 p.m. the march back to camp commenced. The troops returned to their homes to-day. Lord Kitchener left Dunedin with his sister. Mrs. Parker, in a motor car this morning, and was expected to spend the afternoon and evening at her home at Kurow. He will leave Oaroaru for the North by the second, express tomorrow and go on to Christchurch.

PREPARATIONS AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb., 20. The preparations for Lord Kitchener’s visit- are practically completed. A camp order issued yesterday anticipated that the volunteers will bo given an opportunity to show their endurance and soldierly qualities on Wednesday. As provision is made for an alarm by night or day, public notice is being given of the fact that from Tuesday morning till Wednesday morning, Lyttelton harbor will be under, war conditions, and an examination .service may bo in force all the time. Notice of such service being in force will be given at Addcrlcy Head by a signal consisting by dav of three red balls,' or shapes resembling balls, arranged vertically at the signal station, and by night by three red lights similarly disposed. During the time the examination service. is in force all vessels entering the harbor may be required to stop for examination by the dofence authorities upon pain of “instant annihilation. The South. Canterbury battalion of school cadets and a detachment oft boy scouts arrived) in Christchurch by the first express on Saturday afternoon. There were about 350 all told, and they immediately inarched to Hagley Park, where they will he camped till after Lord Kitchener reviews them on Tuesday. , , . . Thor© was a church parade this morn. The major oortion of the cadets will join the camp to-morrow.

THE WELLINGTON ARRANGEMENTS.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. The. first step towards arranging the Kitchener camp at Johnsonville was made yesterday morning by a squad or the permanent artillery sent _ out for that purpose. The ground is being opened out, and on Monday the squad wall proceed with the erection of the