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BATTALION DRILL AT WILLUNGA.
On Friday, the 13th inst, the volunteers of the Southern
districts met for battalion drill at Willunga, under command
of Colonel Blyth. The day was fine, and a large number of
spectators were present. The volunteers, to the number of
about 80, paraded on the Willunga ground at 12 o clock,
the Companies represented being the
Willunga Company, Captain Atkinson
McLaren Vale Company, Captain Bolitho
Noarlunga Company, Captain Budgen.
The Companies having been duly told off and proved
by their respective officers, they were marched to
the drill ground-a distance of about a mile from
the township-where the parade was formed, the bat-
talion in line presented arms, and the Colonel
then inspected the rifles and accoutrements, which were found
to be in excellent order. The battalion then broke into open
column right in front, marching past in quick time. The
Companies were then closed and the march past in close
column was gone through and exceedingly well executed,
the circle round the wheeling points being performed with
much steadiness. Various battalion movements were then
gone through, after which the Willunga Company was
thrown out in skirmishing order, the other two Companies
forming supports and reserve. The men went out with
great care, steadily advancing and taking up the distance
directed, the dressing and covering at the same time being
well maintained. The skirmishers were then exercised in
firing on the advance, and from the halt, and also in closing
upon flanks and centre, both at the halt and on move. The
old skirmishers were ordered to retire upon the supports ;
supports advanced and extended, closed and retired in suc-
cession, until each company had been exercised in every
branch of this drill. The movements of form-
ing, rallying squares, and squares to resist,
cavalry, were also gone through and well performed
the front face delivering a steady fire from the
right. Independent and volley firing were also practised,
and the latter branch of the platoon exercise was especially
well done. Altogether, the volunteers behaved steadily and
worked well. Great credit is due to both officers and men
for the zeal and attention which they have manifested and
the proficiency which they have attained. Colonel Blyth
complimented the battalion warmly at the conclusion of the
drill; after which the conmmand was given -"To your
private parades." The several companies then marched back
to Willunga, where they were dismissed. We had almost
forgotten to state that the men were under arms altogether
for nearly five hours, fully four of which were devoted to drill.
An agreeable "intermission of 10 minutes"- to use
the phraseology of the concert-room, was however allowed,
to enable the men to obtain some refreshment, and the
occasion was wisely availed of to impart a little lesson in
"piling arms." This movement, which is regarded as a diffi-
cult one in some Companies, and is utterly incomprehensible
to a few of our volunteers, was done tolerably. We
understand that the next reunion of the southern com-
panies will take place m three months at Noarlunga.
THE DINNER
took place at the Bush Inn, and was served in excellent
style, a large number sitting down to partake of the good
things provided. Captain Budgen having said grace, the
clatter of knives and forks commenced, and little else was
heard until the hungry volunteers had satisfied their craving
appetites. A few hours' battalion drill is an excellent
preparative for a good dinner, and in this country, where so
little opportunity exists for following the hounds, the
saying, "as hungry as a hunter," might well be changed to
"as hungry as a volunteer." Dinner at last being con-
cluded, the Chairman, Captain Atkinson, of the Willunga
Company, proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts ; on
the drinking of which the band played appropriate airs. The
health of His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell
was next drunk with all the honors, the Chairman having
alluded to him as a great supporter of the volunteer move-
ment.
Mr. KELL then proposed " The Army and Navy of Great
Britain." He considered those forces indomitable, and able
to withstand the world in arms. He was glad to see the
rapid progress towards perfection which the Willunga,
Noarlunga, and Maclaren Vale volunteers were making, and
he thought, considering the extra facilities enjoyed by the
Adelaide Regiment, those companies compared favorably
with it. He had much pleasure in proposing the toast,
which was then drunk with enthusiastic applause.
Song, Pr¡vate M. Taylor, "Camerons Gathering."
Colonel BLYTH responded. He little expected to be called
on twice in so short a time to respond to that toast. They
were all jolly good fellows who fought under the British flag.
Most people sympathised with the soldiers in their hearts;
and if necessity were laid upon them to call forth their
energies, they would do their duty. He was glad to be able
to say, from what he had witnessed at the review that day,
that the volunteers of the South had attained a great degree
of proficiency. They had undergone a long day's drill, and
had gone through a great many manouvres ¡n a creditable
and satisfactory manner. Captain Atkinson was now to
receive the prize which he had so well won. He had given
him (Col. Blyth) a good beating that day at a private match,
but he was not at all sorry for that, as he rejoiced to see
good attainments in any man. Private John Mudge, junior,
of the Noarlunga Company, was also to be presented with a
handsome silver prize cup. He hoped he would never want
a bottle of wine to fill it.
Three hearty cheers were given for Captain Atkinson and
Private Mudge, to whom the breech-loading rifle and the
silver cup were presented. The prizes were then handed
round for inspection, the cup having been previously filled
with rosy wine.
Private MUDGE, sen., the father of the winner of the
cup, rose and expressed the pleasure and pride he felt in
having a son who could beat him. He had three sons volun-
teers, two of whom could beat their " dad," but the third he
could beat as yet. The patriarchal volunteer sat down
amidst applause and sundry good-humoured jokes.
Captain ATKINSON returned thanks in a happy and ap-
propriate speech, saying, that he went to shoot for the
prize, fully determined to win the rifle, and he was bent on
doing so again on the next occasion.
Private J. MUDCE, Jun., also returned thanks. He, like
Captain Atkinson, went with a determination to win one or
more prizes, and he had done so. He would echo the hope so
kindly expressed hy Colonel Blyth, and reiterated by many
of his friends surrounding the festive board, that he would
always have at hand a bottle of good wine to fill the cup, as
their hearts were all filled with good-will towards him.
Captain BUDGEN proposed "The health of their Drill
Masters and Instructors." They could all testify to the kind
and patient manner with which they fulfilled, what must at
times be an irksome duty. He believed they endeavoured to
do their best for the advancement of their pupils, and the
names of Drill-Masters Slater and Briggs were well-known
to the volunteers of that district as men able and willing to
do their duty, and they were deservedly esteemed by all who
knew them.
The toast was drunk amidst loud cheers.
Song-"Mr. SHAW, " My Nanay's awa' "
Col. BLYTH responded for the Drill Instructors, and spoke
in terms of commendation of their efficiency. He would
remind the volunteers that it was always better to be led
than driven.
The health of the Vice-Chairman, Lieut Snoswell, was
then drunk and responded to.
The health of Captain Budgen, and the Noarlunga Com-
pany was next drunk, in responding to which, he remarked,
that they must take care they did not turn the heads of the
Willunga Volunteers. He was glad to say, that good har-
mony had hitherto prevailed amougst them, and he hoped it
would continue, and that the good feeling which subsisted
between the three companies might be promoted on every
occasion when they met
Drunk with cheers.
Song-Lieut. FRANK MANNING, "The Mermaid."
Private SAMPSON BASTIAN proposed "The Health of
Capt. Bolitho and the Maclaren Vale Volunteers," which
was drunk with cheering,
Song-Private LEWIS KELL, "The Rifle Brigade."
Capt BOLITHO, Capt ATKINSON, and Capt. BUDGEN then
returnel thanks on behalf of themselves and their respec-
tive companies.
Mr. Forsyth proposed "Lady MacDonnell and the Ladies
of South Australia." He was sure all who could appreciate
the ladies would do honor to that toast. He recommended
the unmarried to get wedded as soon as possible, and the
married to contribute to the happiness of their wives.
The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheering.
Song-Private MUDGE, Sen., "The Troubadour,"
Lieut M. BURGESS responded to the toast, saying it was
no new thing for him to do, as he knew so little about the
ladies that he generally had that duty to perform. His
opinion was that every bachelor should get a wife, and every
husband should try to keep his wife. (Loud laughter and
cheers.)
The company then adjourned to allow of the room being
prepared for a ball, which was kept up with spirit till an
early hour on the following morning. About 140 persons were
present. An opinion was expressed that the ball had better
have taken place a week after the review, as the two occur-
ring in one day prevented such complete arrangements being
made for the ball as would otherwise have been the case.
However, all went off very well.
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