The first Volunteer Encampment took place on April 15th at Oamaru. The Southland Hussars arrived at mid-day on the Friday, five hours late. The express train brought contingents including the Riverton Rifles, Arrow Rifles, Queenstown Rifles, K Battery Invercargill Artillery, and G Battery Invercargill Artillery. There was a mistake at the Invercargill Railway with three companies left behind on the platform. The train then had to wait at Clinton for the express to bring the remaining troops. The southern volunteers were escorted by the Invercargill Garrison Band. With more from Invercargill and Dunedin arriving the following day. the expected contingents consisted of 1200 to 1300 men of all ranks. The Southlanders attending consisting of 60 artillery; 30 rifles and 50 Hussars. They were responsible for detail daily; one Sergeant to wait on the Brigadier and two Mounted Orderlies to attend at the Garrison Office.
Other detachments present were: B Battery Artillery, Dunedin Naval Brigade, Port Chalmers Naval Brigade, No. 1 Dunedin City Guards, North Dunedin Rifles, Bruce Rifles, East Taieri Rifles, Clutha Rifles, Dunedin Naval Cadets, No. 1 Dunedin City Guards Cadets, I Battery Oamaru Artillery, No. 1 Oamaru Rifles, Christchurch City Guards, Temuka Rifles and C Battery Timaru Artillery.
On the Saturday battalions paraded, then marched from the camp to the Esplande and beyond the Gasworks, where ordnance corps engaged in practice at targets moored in the bay with Armstrong guns. The cavalry went through manoeuvres on the old cricket ground and the infantry practiced arms. When the battalions formed columns and marched to the racecourse, the Southland Hussars formed advance guard. In the afternoon sports were held. The competitions were guns, bayonet and 100 yards foot race. The I Battery Oamaru mounted and dismounted their 24 pound Howitzer in 3 mins 10 secs. The B Battery Dunedin Artillery had a 12 pound Armstrong, which they took to pieces and put together again in 3 mins. 24 secs. On Friday and Saturday nights the bands entertained and competed for recognition.
The only incident over the four days was when the Southland Hussars charged the batteries on the hill overlooking the racecourse on Easter Monday, the 18th. When the artillery turned their gun and fired in the direction of the advancing troop, faces of two Hussar men were scorched, Mr. H. Cameron of Mataura and Mr. John Milne of Wyndham. With minor cuts about their faces, Doctor de Lautour attended declaring no damage to the men's eyesight. The mock battle or sham-fight, as it was called drew a crowd of about 6,000 onlookers. At times it was difficult to keep the spectators off the scene of action. Their enthusiasm a challenge to military regulations.
On return to Invercargill, the Southland Hussars, preceded by the Garrison Brass Band, marched through town to the asylum grounds. That evening the band gave an impromptu concert at the Garrison Hall. The second review was planned for Dunedin, in twelve months time.
|
