Early New Zealand Photographers

 

John Langdon and the Brunner Rifle Volunteers

 

The Brunner Rifles met last night for the purpose of getting their arms and accoutrements. The guns are what are termed the improved Snider. About 40 of the recruits are now supplied. The arms that arrived were — 60 Snider sword rifles, 60 snap caps, 60 cleaning rods, 60 swords, 60 scabbards, 60 waist-belts, 60 ball bags, 60 frogs, 60 oil bottles, three arm chests, one packing case, one lock, vyce, and nipple key.
Grey River Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 5977, 19 August 1887, Page 4

Wednesday 29 March 1893 - The Mawhera arrived from Nelson and Wellington
Thursday 30 March 1893 - she leaves Greymouth a 4pm and calls at Westport
Friday 31 March 1893 - arrives Nelson Friday afternoon
Saturday 1 April 1893
Sunday 2 April 1893
Monday 3 April 1893 - The Mawhera leaves on her return trip at 9 o'clock on Monday night
Tuesday 4 April 1893 - arrives at Greymouth on Tuesday night
Wednesday 5 April 1893 - or early on Wednesday morning.

All the arrangements in connection with the forthcoming Easter encampment are now practically made. The Totara Rifles will raech [sic] Hokitika at 8 o'clock on Thursday morning next [30 March 1893], and with the First Westland Rifles they will be conveyed by the Waipara to Greymouth, leaving at about half past eight. The Kumara Rifles go to Greymouth by tram, and district orders have been issued that these three companies, with the Grey Navals and the Brunner Rifles parade at the Grey Drill Shed at 3 o'clock that afternoon. Arrangements have been made with the Mawhera to convey our six companies to Nelson. She leaves Greymouth a 4pm and calls at Westport for the Westport Navals, and will arive [sic] in Nelson on Friday afternoon [31 March 1893]. The Mawhera leaves on her return trip at 9 o'clock on Monday night and will arrive at Greymouth on Tuesday night or early on Wednesday morning. It is to be regretted that owing to various causes the Inangahua Rifles and the Grey Rifles were unable to maintain their full strength, and have had to disband; were it not for this there would have been a very strong representation of West Coast volunteers in Nelson. As it is there will probably be from 250 to 300 men. The arrangements made by Colonel Pitt in Nelson for catering etc. are understood to be of a most satisfactory character and the cost will not exceed 11d a day per man. We have no doubt our men will maintain the reputation of the Coast for discipline, drill and good behaviour.
West Coast Times, Issue 9526, 25 March 1893, Page 2

The Mawhera leaves for Nelson direct tomorrow with 275 of the West Coast Volunteers who are to take part in the Easter Encampment. In order to provide accommodation for such a large number of men the Mawhera will take very little coal this trip. The Westport contingent will proceed by the Brunner, leaving Westport to-morrow night.
Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7628, 29 March 1893, Page 2

The Mawhera arrived from Nelson and Wellington last evening, she leaves for Nelson direct at seven o'clock to-night with the Volunteers, for whose accommodation the forehold has been specially fitted up.
Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7629, 30 March 1893, Page 2

The town on Thursday presented quite a military appearance, the various bodies of volunteers parading the streets waiting for embarkation. The Tramway Company brought in the Kumara Rifles and the Waipara the Volunteers from Ross and Hokitika, while the Brunner Rifles came by rail. Some 250 left by the Mawhera for Nelson. The vessel called at Westport, where the Westport Navals were taken on board. On arrival at Nelson they were immediately marched out to the encampment, where they will remain till today. The Greymouth Navals and the band of the late Grey Rifles accompanied the detachment.
Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 10004, 6 April 1893, Page 6

 

 

Mr Tyree has shown us four very nice photographs which he has taken of the late Volunteer encampment. One view shews the tents looking towards the main road from the Grand Stand, another is a group of the officers present, the third is taken as the march past was being executed, and the fourth shows the two battalions drawn up in front of the Grand Stand.
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 82, 8 April 1893, Page 2

 

Easter Camp, Nelson - April 1893

Tyree Photo

Officers Nelson Camp, Nelson - Easter 1893

Tyree Photo

 

 

March Pass, Nelson Camp - Easter 1893

Tyree Photo

 

Two battalions drawn up in front of the Grand Stand,  Nelson Camp - Easter 1893

Tyree Photo

 

Brunnerton Rifles, (under Lieuts. Tonkies and Armstrong) 48

The Westport School Rifle Cadet Volunteers and the Brunnerton Rifle Volunteers, have been disbanded.
South Canterbury Times, Volume 8494, Issue 8494, 14 April 1896, Page 3

We regret to hear that Mr Langdon was one of those who perished in the recent Brunner disaster. He was up till the disbandment of the Brunnerton Rifles a few months back an officer of that corps. He was much esteemed as an officer. Perhaps some of our local officers will remember him at the Richmond camp in 1893.
Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 8525, 6 April 1896, Page 2