Hugh McIntyre kindly allowed regiments of the Hussars to train on his property, Merino Downs Waikoikoi, on October 9th 1882. Dressed in full uniform with accoutrements, men and horses from Tapanui, Gore and Mataura were divided into two regiments; faced each other in mock-battle. The Tapanui men did a dismal job and could not advance the eight miles, however McIntyre did his utmost in the provender line totally satisfying spectators of his abilities.
As previously organised, the annual training of the Southland Hussars commenced in Dunedin early November 1882. Large numbers of the Invercargill and Mataura contingents arrived by special train at 2 pm. Captain Stronach and C Troop welcomed them at the station. The next morning the regiment paraded for equitation drill under Major Burwell at Ocean Beach.
In four groups the squadrons were lead by Captains Gardiner and Stronach, with the troops by Lieutenants Bree, Forbes, Maclean and Smith. Sergeant-major Thompson put the men, new and old recruits, through drill. The weather was wet, the review plagued with hitches and delays and the prize ceremony a somewhat embarrasement.
The guest of honour was to be the Hon. Mr Oliver, and when he failed to turn up or send word, after a long delay and wait, the Dunedin Mayor James Gore presented prizes. The ceremony, held on day six in front of the old railway platform seated many prominent citizens, ladies, and members of staff. The parade did not begin until 4 pm. lead by No. 1 Battalion with major Wales in command. With the large continent from south, including officers, the Otago and Southland Hussars amounted to about 900 men.
One of the competitions was a carbine match between ten men of the invited D. Battery, Wellington and L Battery. Held on Goat Island, Friday afternoon (day seven), at the L Battery N.Z.V.A.'s range near Port Chalmers the Wellington team beat the locals by 107 points. Three ranges were set up of 200, 300 and 500 yards.
The next review was held at Makarewa Junction, eight miles north of Invercargill. Once the railway junction for two branch train lines where Tuatapere diverged from the Kingston Branch, a total force of about 300 men and 18 officers attended the last week in March 1883. The special train bringing the Southern Hussars left Oamaru at 7 pm on Thursday, breaking down between Waikouaiti and Blueskin for an hour. Crowding on the train prevented sleep, as did the bitterly cold night, although some volunteers tried to sleep in the guard's van amid saddles, swords, rifles, portmanteaux, boxes and other accoutrements. Pouring rain as the train approached Woodlands made the trip even more uncomfortable. However, the majority of men were billeted in city hotels and showed promise when they performed drills. Several stayed in the large grain and wool store recently built by the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, while the Dunedin Naval Artillery camped on the cricket ground. The officers occupied the Albion Hotel and the Dunedin Artillery at the Prince of Wales.
Volunteers entertained themselves in boxing and fencing. Competitions were held by the various brass and garrison bands in Sloan's theatre with large crowds unable to enter the building packing the footpaths. Sports including a walking match, sword competition, bayonet exercise, tug-of-war and gun competition. The following day, on the 26th, there were about 1,100 men taking part in the review. The public spectators, who travelled by train, numbered about 4,000 watching manoeuvering, the march past and eight bands playing. After lunch at midday the sham-fight began. With the usual amount of powder blown away, cannon fire and battle noise it was hard to tell, from an onlookers point of view, who won. When opposing forces met at a bridge it became amusing when, short of ammunition, the Naval Artillery began throwing sods and other missiles at the redcoats from banks of the stream. The cavalry competition was won by the Dunedin Hussars.
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