PALMERSTON MILITARY EVENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 876, 23 July 1910, Page 4

PALMERSTON MILITARY EVENT.

CHANGES ANNOUNCED,

(By Telegraph-Special Correspondent! Palmerston North, July 22.

The Committee of Management of the Military and Naval tournament haa definitely decided to hold its next tournament on December 31 and January 2, jnstead of the usual date, November 9. There was a feeling among the members of the A. and P. Association Commit, tee that the tournament was held too close to the latter's Spring Show, and the change of date will be appreciated 'by the association. The' Tournament Comniitteo has been in communication with the Australian military authorities, and there is a strong probability of the Commonwealth being represented at the next tournament.

The matter of the retention of the physical drill competitions engaged the attention of the committee, owing to a .statement made by Surgeon-Colonel Purdy afthe Wellington Garrison Officers' Club that this drill caused considerable strain on Ehe heart. The committee decided to retain the competition in the next tournament, but would make further inquiry before placing it on the programme ,of future tournaments.

The programmes will differ in many respects from those of previous tourna-tieat-s, and prominence will be given to service military matters. Among the new items will be a route march, in which competing teams, carrying a marching kit, have to march seven miles across country, signal a semaphore message, ford a river, fire five rounds per man at surprise targets, etc., and finish in lroufc of the 'grandstand.

The secretary of the Manawatu Golf Club received word from .Napier this morning that tho links thorp, were unplayable, owing to the Ilea vy downpour of rain which had fallen, and the Manawatu team, which had proposed to leave , for Napier to-day, did -not go«