This course, as previously announced, has been necessitated by the indefinite postponement of the date of departure of the Expeditionary Force for Europe, and the authorities are taking advantage of the interval to bring both horses and men ashore to put them through as vigorous a course of training as possible.
The forces disembarked comprised 6000 officers and other ranks and upwards of 2000 horses, the main arms being made up as follows:- Mounted Rifles Brigade, comprising the Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Mounted Regiments of 450 men each; the New Zealand Field Artillery Brigade and ammunition column, comprising 700 men; the Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Infantry Battalions, of 1000 men; and various other units, including the Field Engineer Army Service Corps, Ambulance Corps, etc.
The wharves and their immediate vicinity this morning consequently presented quite a martial appearance, being lined with troops and horses and guarded by sentries with fixed bayonets.
The landing of the horses proved the most lengthy task, but was accomplished successfully, not a single animal, so far as can be gathered, being injured.
The Field Artillery Brigade, under Lieutenant-colonel G. N. Johnston, immediately proceeded on trek to the Hutt Park, where it encamped this afternoon; while the mounted regiments rode out to the various encampments at Trentham, Lyall Bay, Miramar, Seatoun, and the Alexandra Barracks, the bulk of them going to Trentham.
These units will remain in camp at the placed mentioned until the date of departure.
• The Albany Street School Band, accompanied by Messrs Rennie and M'Laren, spent a notable week-end at Kaitangata.
On their arrival on Friday evening they were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr Souness) and a large concourse of citizens, headed by the Pipe Band.
They marched to the Technical School, where they were entertained at tea by the girls of Standards V and VI, under Miss Smith.
Afterwards they took part in an entertainment in aid of a fund for the establishment of a fife and drum band, the hall being densely packed.
The youthful performers were enthusiastically received.
The programme for the entertainment of the visitors could not be carried out on Saturday, owing to the bad weather, but one important item was given effect to.
This was a visit to the No2 mine, under the direction of the manager (Mr W. Carson) and his officers.
A most interesting two hours were spent below, the boys taking a keen interest in what they saw.
• The new Golden Run Dredging Company's dredge operating at Island Block continues to win very satisfactory returns.
The gold obtained during the four months ended on Saturday amounted to 1183oz 14dwt.
The average weekly return during these months was as follows:- June, 59oz, 14dwt per week; July, 70oz 9dwt; August, 73oz 10dwt; September, 73oz 18dwt.
The dredge is now crossing a line of bores put down some 12 months ago, and it is satisfactory to note that the values indicated by each series of bores are being fully borne out by actual results obtained from the working of the ground. - ODT, 29.9.1914.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
