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INSPECTION OF THE FIFTH
BATTALION.
A SATISFACTORY JJAJSPLAY.
I The inspection of the Fifth Battalion by I
Colonel Robertson, the officer commanding
the Militia Infantry Brigade, took place yes
terday at the Show Grounds. The head of
the defence forces, Major-General Down'es,
could not, it was.stated, attend to make the
inspection. Ia addition to the brigadier,
Colonel Hoad, A.A.G., Captain M'ColI, or
derly officer, and Garrison Sergeant-major
Brenchlcy were on parade. There was a good
muster of the battalion, 222 out of 270 of all
ranks parading. No fewer than 14 militia
men were, however, absent without leave. The
battalion officers present were Captain Thom
son, commanding officer; Captain and Adju
tant Pendlebury; Captains Putnam, Davis
and Bayne; Lieutenants "Williams, Roberts,
Henderson, Stringer, Aitken, Sternberg, and
Adams; Colonel Hinclicliff (medical staff);
Quartermaster Buley; Reg. Sergeant-major
Whitehead; and Sergeant-major Hamilton.
On assembling at the Orderly-room the men
were formed up, and they received the in
specting officer with the general salute.
Colonel Robertson then inspected the bat
talion in regard to clothing, general appear
ance and details. Having formed up into
quarter column; the battalion marched to the
saluting base, and did the march past in a
very creditable manner. The march past in
column then took place, after which the bat
talion came back in quarter column, and
fojrmed on the original alignment, the move
ments being executed with neatness and
promptitude. The P.A., Captain Pendlebury,
put the battalion through the manual exer
cise, and Captuin Putnam followed by putting
the men through the firing exercise," and in
both instances "they showed good work. The
bayonet exercise, one of the most picturesque
displays of the parade, came next, Captain
Davis being in charge. On the conclusion of
this exercise., Captain Bayne put the bat
talion through general drill. A few move
ments were negotiated with Lieutenant Wil
liams in command, and the exercise was're
peated with Reg. Sergeant-major Whitehead
in command. Drill with the aid of markers
was then observed, the object being to test
tlio men in the more intricate phases of drill.
Headed by the battalion band, with Band
master Norman as leader, and Drum-major
Hall at. the head, the battalion marched to
Pall Mall, where they were dismissed. Dur
ing the parade Colonel Robertson addressed
the men, stating that tlie parade was satis
factory. He regretted the absence of Major
General Downcs, through some unexplained
cause, and intimated that details of the
parade would be referred to through head
quarters. There was a good attendance of
the public, and the general impression was
that the men made an exceedingly smart and
effective appearance.
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