PALMERSTON NORTH CAMP.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 481, 14 April 1909, Page 4

PALMERSTON NORTH CAMP.

GOOD WORK DONE. [BY TELEGUArn—special cnitiMtsr(jKnr.sT) Palmcrston North, April 11. . In continuation of their training course, tho rifle clubs marched to tho Drill Hall lasrt. night, and attended a lecture by SergeantMajor Dovey.. A most instructive evening was spent, the lecture embracing musketry,; disoiplinc, etc. The men evinced a keen interest throughout, and lrcquently asked questions. '" Colonel Collins and Major Hughes also .attended. .

This morning reveille sounded at G. 15 a.m., and the men' fell in at 0.45 a.m. From this until breakfast at 8 a.m., judging distance was tho order, of tho. day. A man in khaki was selected as the object, and left v 'camp with scaled: orders. Suddenly a report was heard as ; ho opened fire, and tho men had then.to locate him and judge tho distance. This .was excellent practice. Field firing was the riext subject on the order paper on falling in at 9 a.m. Half the forco left camp, .and took up a defensive position in ambush. When tho remainder left camp, and were marching along the road in close formation, they. suddenly found themselves under a hot fire; from their left flank. This; of course, necessitated a quick change of front, and a formation of extended' order. Both these wero carried out with "rapidity and accuracy. Then, followed an attack on tho defensive position. Tho defenders had selected excellent cover, and showed very littlo of themselves. Tliey also reserved their fire until they could make the best use of it, and each timo tho attackers advanced they wero subjected to a heavy fire. The attacking party on their part made excellent use of all available cover, and kept a good lino in their advance. It was a good morning's work, and Major Hughes complimented the men on tho manner in which it was performed. Tho sOTgoant-m3Jor is very pleased with tho progress made. After dinner, before proceeding with;the field-firing with ball cartridge, the men' were inspected by Lady Plunket, who expressed lier pleasure* at seeing such a fine body of men on parade. The men then proceeded to work, being extended as a skirmishing lino when about -1000 yds. from tho targets—these wore only small sugar bags, about 24in. by 15in., placed on two' sticks, and being clos-? to the ground. Tho attack was really well carried out, a good lino being kept and cover taken advantage of. Several fences had to be negotiated during tho advance, and fire was opened at absolutely unknown ranges. Tho result was very satisfactory, 18.4 per cent, of hits being recorded.

At the conclusion of the camp, Colonel Collins addressed the men, and said it lvas his pleasant duty to tell them that they had given great satisfaction in' their work; Ho mentioned that one important club had not sent in a single man. However, he thanked those present for the keen attention they had given to their work, and described tho campas a great success. Major Hughes, in a few woTds, expressed his entire satisfaction with the work done, and said that, though ho had attended many volunteer camps, ho had never seen such keenness displayed. The men afterwards 'expressed their thanks to Scrgcant-Mnjor Dovey for the trouble ho had taken with them, and gave hint three hearty cheers.