On Saturday, under the most favourable conditions of weather, the 5th Regiment, Otago Mounted Rifles entered upon their annual encampment. The regiment comprises four squadrons, one having its headquarters in Dunedin (the Otago Hussars), and the other three being drawn from Oamaru, Ranfurly, Maniototo and North Otago generally.
There are in all some 400 men under canvas, and the camp is pleasantly situated on Mr Gow's property at Invermay, near Wingatui. Lieutenant-colonel R. Logan, A.D.C., is in charge, with Captain G.W.C. Macdonald second in command, while Captain Hay and Captain Fraser are also present. The men will remain in camp for a week, and during that time will be inspected by Colonel Herd.
On Wednesday they will ride into town and the ceremony of presenting their colours will be performed at St Paul's Cathedral. The work to be done during the time in camp will necessarily be of a somewhat elementary nature as many of the men are recruits, and will consist of the usual physical drill in the mornings, followed later in the day by rifle exercises, and troop and squadron drill. The men will also receive instruction as to the care of arms, and be put through squad drill on foot as well.
• On Saturday afternoon a new bell, presented to St Paul's Cathedral, was solemnly dedicated by the Most Rev. the Primate. A goodly number of people, including members of the Cathedral Chapter, were present. The choir and clergy proceeded from the vestry to the new belfry erected in the Cathedral grounds. Two suitable hymns were sung, Mr Heywood, F.R.C.O., accompanying them on the organ.
Prayers were offered, and the Primate delivered the following short address: "It is my privilege as chief pastor to accept on behalf of the Church in the district this very valuable gift from the hand of one of her members, a gift which is to the whole diocese, because it is intended to form one of the full peal of bells which we hope will one day sound forth from the tower of the completed cathedral. It may interest you to know that this bell was cast by Messrs Mears and Stainbank, of London, that it weighs 12cwt 0qr 2lb, and that it is of the musical note G.
It is fitting that with suitable religious ceremony we should dedicate this bell, since its purpose is to call the faithful, we trust through many generations, to the worship of Almighty God in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and since it is placed here in loving memory of one who has passed from the earthly sanctuary to the Paradise of God, we may hear, as its sound floats over this city, the voice of the saints of God calling upon us to share their joys in the praises of our Redeemer. The Cathedral authorities therefore accept through me this pious work, and in the name of the whole diocese I now pray for the Divine blessing upon it." Then followed the prayer of dedication. The proceedings closed with the benediction.
• Lieutenant E.G.R.G. Evans, R.N., of the British Antarctic Expedition, is making a good recovery from a bad attack of scurvy contracted by him in the Far South (says the Christchurch Press). Lieutenant and Mrs Evans, and Mr Francis Drake, R.N., secretary to the expedition, left Lyttelton by the Moeraki for Sydney, where they will join the Orontes for Europe and London. Lieutenant Evans and Mr Drake are going to England on business connected with the expedition, and will return to New Zealand in time to go south with the Terra Nova to relieve Captain Scott and the other members of the shore party.- ODT, 20.5.1912.
• Copies of picture available from ODT front office, Lower Stuart St, or www.otagoimages.co.nz
