1. the camp on the racecourse reserve. 3. Wrestling on horse back. 5. The leading race
2. Bandsmen’s race in progress. 4. Competition on the Lloyd Lindsay event.
Auckland Weekly News 21 April 1927
(Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection AWNS-19270421-37-3)
“FIGHT” AT WAIUKU
MOUNTED RIFLES IN ACTION
TACTICAL OPERATIONS.
Some 250 officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment, encamped at Waiuku last week, headed by the Commanding Officer (Lieutenant-Colonel M. Aldred), marched from the camp through the main street on Friday morning, the regimental band playing the march. A large crowd of interested spectators had assembled at various vantage points to witness the march, and they were loud in their praises of both men and horses. The troops then proceeded to Colonel Aldred’s farm, situated at Whiri Whiri, where the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces (Major-General R. Young, C. B., C.M.G., D.S.O.), the Officer Commanding the Northern Command (Colonel-Commandant H. R. Potter, C.M.G., D.S.O.), and the Brigade Commander of the 1st Mounted Rifle Brigade (Colonel J. N. McCarroll, D.S.O.), had taken up a position on a hill to view the tactical operations.
The enemy troops, who were represented by a number of Waiuku Senior Cadets, had taken up a defensive position on the hill, and as the advance guard and the main, guard moved up various approaches covering the advance of the main body, they were fired upon. A dismounted action was brought about by the protecting bodies, and the enemy, upon being pressed, retired. The advance and flank guards combined fire and movement, and finally routed the enemy in the sandhills near the west coast. The troops then retired to a spot where an improvised field kitchen, supplied them with lunch, and arrived back in camp during the afternoon.
In conversation with a “Times” reporter, General. Young remarked that the camp site at Waiuku was an ideal one for mounteds, and the country where the operations had been carried out was excellent for tactics. The G. O. C. expressed his pleasure at the general appearance of the horses, which he stated had greatly improved since he had viewed them at Epsom last year. Continuing, General Young said he had inspected the regiment in a dismounted action at Mr. .T. Muir’s property on Thursday, and he was pleased with the work, the riding of the men being especially good. The men evinced the real mounted rifle spirit, namely, they “went for it.” Commenting upon the welfare of the regiment, the General stated that the unit was very fortunate in having so many experienced officers, the majority of whom had seen active service. He was pleased with the local arrangements for the commissariat, and passed the remark that they were exceptionally fortunate in having such patriotic farmers as Mr. ,T. Muir, who even went, to the trouble of removing his stock to allow of tactical operations being carried out.
After viewing the action on Thursday, the General took the salute at the regimental march past. General Young left for Wellington. Friday.evening by the. Limited express.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FRTIM19270411.2.12
Franklin Times, Volume XVII, Issue 42, 11 April 1927, Page 4
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