AT THE ALDINGTON CAMP.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 8

AT THE ALDINGTON CAMP.

Mr John Studholme, who has been in charge of the Addington camp of special constables, went home to Ashburton by the morning train yesterday, and the camp is now in charge of Colonel Richardson. The reports as to the disbandment of the "specials" are entirely without foundation. The foot •'specials"* have been allowed to return to their homes and occupations in town, but they have not been disbanded, and' are held ready for service. It is understood that a list of all the foot -'specials" has been deposited at the telephone exchange. On the signal being given, all telephone work would be suspended, and the "specials" would be called up on the telephone, and would promptly assemble at a pre-arranged rendezvous.

At present there are about 200 men, all "mounteds," in camp at Addington, and the camp is run under the strictest military discipline. The men who are in camp now are the "die-hards" of the force, and though many of them have business to attend to at home, they have sacrificed their private interests and have announced their intention of remaining until the end of the industrial trouble. Whether it concludes in a week, or takes six months to end, there will be a force of mounted and highly trained and disciplined men always ready at the camp to preserve order in the town should the necessity arise.

Yesterday was the first day since the "mounteds" came into action that there were no patrols in the city. The patrols will not be called upon unless they are urgently needed for protection.