The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-02-11 00:00:00

THE EASTER REVIEW.

Acting on the suggestion of the meeting which was
called at the beginning of last week at Dover to make
arrangements for the approaching Easter manceuvres,
both the Dover and Folkestone authorities have been
in communication with each other, and a further con-
ference is nc,w arranged, the result of which is that
in all probability there will be greater facilities offered
to the troops who select the south-east coast for their
annual outing. It is now practically settled that the
ground over which the manceuvres will take place will
be the country extending between Ashford and Folke-
stone on Good Friday and Saturday, and Dover and
Folkestone on Easter Monday. At the request
of the Duke of Cambridge, Major-General Mont-
gomery Moore, commanding the South - Eastern
District, has been making inquiries during the past
week as to wiYether there would be any difficulty in
obtaining the use of land in this neighbourhood for
the manceuvres. The result of his inquiries are
extremely favourable, and this has been communicated
to the Horse Guards. The plan of operations will be
quite new to volunteers who have visited this neigh-
bourhood on previous occasions. The combining of
the two garrisons of Shorncliffe and Dover in the
engagements on Saturday and Monday is the idea of
the Duke of Cambridge, and the result is expected
to be a magnificent spectacle. As far as the march
of columns is concerned, it will not touch the line
of route hitherto taken via Canterbury. By the
arrangements which are no being made by the
Folkestone and Dover authorities more accommodation
by far will be afforded to the volunteers than has ever
been the case before. Even supposing no barrack
accommodation could be obtained, either at Dover or
Shornclifie, at both towns arrangements will be made
to billet the troops in the town and at public buildings,
such as schools, &c., while in addition to these negotia-
tions are being made at Dover for the use of the
Imperial Hotel, and at Folkestone for the Exhibition
Palace. By these means alone, outside of barrack
accommodation, at least 12,000 or 14,000 troops can
easily be provided for. It is proposed that Folkestone
shall provide the necessary compensation funds for the
land over which the Saturday mancevres will take place,
and Dover for land for the Easter Monday opera-
tions, as the former will take place almost entirely
round Folkestone. The 15th and 23rd Middlesex Rifles
will be accommodated at Dover; and the London
Scottish Rifles have also applied for, and been granted,
accommodation at the same town. If possible, the
latter will go into Fort Burgoyne. The arrangements
are being made for quarters by the Mayor, Town-
clerk, and Major-General Moore.
Eastbourne has decided to invite the volunteers to
hold the Easter Review there, and a representative
committee of management has been appointed to ar-
range details. War-office officials have again visited
and approved the sight of the review ground between
Eastbourne and Seaford. Lieutenant-Colonel Cardwell,
2nd Sussex Artillery, states that possibly some 20,000
volunteers will this year visit Eastbourne, as all local
landowners and Southdown fanners favour the review.
Eastbourne bas accomoclation for 30,000 visitors.
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