THE "SPECIALS" CAMP AT ADDINGTON.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 9

THE "SPECIALS" CAMP AT ADDINGTON.

GOOD RESPONSE IN CITY.

NUMBERS INCREASIN.G-

THE MEN SETTLING DOWN,

The early part of yesterday did not witness any very large additions to the number of special -constables in camp on the Addington Show Grounds, but little groups of dismounted men went in at intervals. Lost night, however, several large contingents of mounted men from North Canterbury (Culverden, Oxford, Amberley, and Woodcnd districts), and a compact body of horsemen from the Tai Tapu district reported themselves. From other country districte in Canterbury further detachments are expected, and large bodies from Waimate and Timaru are due to-day.

Citizens had an opportunity yesterday afternoon of judging of the calibre of the mounted men who have enrolled. Some baggage for the camp was reported as being held up at the Christcnurch railway station, and a body of sixteen mounted special constables was desnatehed to bring it in. It was found, however, that their services wero not necessary. There appears to be an impression nbroad that the majority of the mounted "specials" are members of the Territorial forces. This is understood not to be the case, though it is probable that about 20 per cent, are Territorials. In offering their pervicee as special constables they have done so in their capacity of private individuals.

Considerable interest is being shown in the camp by residents in the vicinity of the Show Grounds and others, and a picket is frequently in evidence near the entrance. A strong guard is maintained at the entrance, and admission is by pass only. To guard against attempts by evilly-disposed persons to interfere wfth the horses several members of the regular police are on duty.

A civilan who rode in from Ashburton yesterday was subjected to rough treatment by several men when ho reached Soekburn in the evening. He was pulled off hie horse, and was set upon and .severely handled. He managed to get on his horse again, and duly reached camp, but his condition was ssch that he had to go into the camp hospital. The horses in camp were examined and valued yesterday. They arc fine serviceable animate. Thanks to the generosity nnd thmißhtfulness of several citizens, tho men have been supplied with footballs and cricket, sets, and during the intervals between camp duties are keeping themselves in form. In addition to the officers already mentioned are the following:—StaffOttVer to the O.C. the camp, Mr John Beans: medical officer, Dr. P. C. Fenwick, M.B. CAMP ROCTINE. • To ensure props?! discipline the camD

is being conducted on semi-military lines. The routine is as follows:—Rereillo •5.30 a.m., coffee 5.45 a.m., stables 6 a.m., breakfast 7.30 a.m., orderly room 9 a.m., stables noon, dinner 12.30 p.m., tea 6 p.m., guard mounting 7 p.m., staff parade 8 p.m., lights out 10.30 p.m. The fatigues, carried out in the early morning and evening consist of:—Cleaning horse and tent lines and cloaning mess-room. Four men from each squadron are detailed each day as mess orderlies.

Precautions against fire are insisted on. Naked lights are not to be left burning in tents, and lighted matches are not to bo thrown about. Tent buckets are to be kept filled, and placed inside the tent doors. In the ovent of firo the adjutant will sound tho firo alarm, and the camp police will turn out and stand to. and all special constables will immediately fall in at their respective alarm posts and await orders. A "dry" canteen is provided. No intoxicating liquor is to be brought into camp except by tho medical officer for medicinal purposes. General orders contain the following:—"The O.C. expects a high standard of discipline. To ensuro this, attention must* ho paid to the following points:—Punctuality in falling in; steadiness and silence on parade, and silence after lights out." The following gifts, collected by Mr George Jameson, have been received at the camji:—From Mrs George Rhodes, a cricket bat for the monnted men; from Messrs Mason. Striithers and Co.. wickets and bnll; from Messrs Ashby. Bergh and Co., two air-guns; from Messrs E. Recce and Sons, two cricket sets; from others, a cricket bat and two footballs. NORTH CANTERBURY CONTINGENTS. Further contingents from Culverdoii, Oxford, Amborley, Woodend, and the Kaiapoi districts went to town (writes our North Canterbury correspondent) during yceterday to. toko their places as special constables. There was a ready response everywhere to the invitation to assist in keeping the trade of tho Port- of Lyttelton open. Nearly all are either farmers or farmers' sons, and each of them is well mounted, and the majority havo been in the African contingents. Mounted Riflra, or Territorial forces. Those who .are taking the matter in lrand report that there has been a roady response-, and so sooa as more horses have been obtained, it will be possible to increase the enrolment of the specials, and farm operations, shearing, etc., will bo held over till the strike ie eettlod.