SOLDIERS AT PLAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1015, 3 January 1911, Page 4

SOLDIERS AT PLAY.

, THE PALMERSTON TOURNAMENT. "PEOPLE'S DAY." (By Telegraph-Special Keporter.) Palmerston, January 2. Perfect weather prevailed for "people's day" at the military tournament, between 5000 and COOO passing through the gates during the day. An early start was made with tho concluding heats of various minor events, the more imposing contests being reserved till the arrival from Wellington of tho Commandant of the Forces (Major-General A. F. Godley) and staff. Later in the forenoon tho various contesting teams in tho route marching competitions were dispatched upon their seven miles-trudgo over natural country, while all over the arena, flag, waggors, range takers, wrestlers on horseback, and tent peggers were engaged in their strenuous strivings for honour and glory—not to say the first or sccdnd prizo in their respective eyents. Commandant and the Veterans. Shortly before noon the Commandant, accompanied by Colonel A. ,W. Eobin, , (Adjutant and Quartermaster-Gen-eral), Colonel E. L. Heard (Director of Military Training and Education),. Colonel E. J. Collins, V.D., 1.5.0., Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor (officer commanding the Wellington district), Lieut.-Colonel J..T. Burnett Stuart, D.S.O. (Director of Military Operations and Training), Lieut.Colonel J. E. Purdy (principal medical officer), Major J. E. Hughes, D.S.O. (Training Staff), Major T. W. MDonald (commanding tho Junior Cadets), Captain. D. C. Spencer Smith, E.F.A. (staff officer to- the Commandant), and Captain Se.ddon (staff officer), arrived on the ground, and were received by Licut.-Colonel Pringle (officer commanding tho Manawatu Mounted Regiment). Of more than passing interest to the Commandant was the parade of tho newly-formed Manawatu and West Coast branch of the Eoyal New Zealand Association of his Majesty's Veterans,' under Major Garner. MajorGeneral Godley was personally introduced to each member of the grizzled company, and conversed with them, afterwards being photographed with them. - There were present on parade the following '.veterans:— . | Manawatu Branch—Capt. Hewitt, R.N. (Baltic Medal); Capt. Preece, New . Zealand Militia, V.C., N.Z. Cross, and N.Z. Medal;. Major'F. W. Garner and Lieut.. Hertzel, Colonial Forces, N.Z. Medal; — *Bell, New Zealand Militia (N.Z.' Medal); '— Carson; ith Dragoons (N.Z. Medal); J. Fitzgerald, 57th Eeginient (N.Z. Modal); H. L - Groves, Indian Army (Y.C., Mutiny., and N.Z. Medals); C. J. Hamilton, 14th Eeginient.and 10th Hussars (N.Z. Mr-dal) ; Sergt.'E. E: Leigh, 65th Eegiment (N.Z.. Medal); F<. Long, Rifle Brigade (Canadian Medal); .Geo. Palmer; 12th Eoyal Lanoers (Crimean, Turkish, and Mutiny Medals); Sergt.Major Eobinson, Boss's Bangers and Eoyal New Zealand Artillery (N.Z. Medal); G. J. Scott, New Zealand Militia (N.Z. Medal); A. Phillips, 65th Regiment '(N.Z. Medal); _W. Wilson, 42iid Highlanders and New Zealand Armed Constabulary (Mutiny and N.Z. Meda!). In addition there were several members with Ion? service and distinguished conduct medals. .

in the Wangariui branch there Were:— John Wright, 57th Regiment (Crimea Medal, two clasps, Balaclava, Sevastopol, and Inkerman); S. Ryan, 57th (Crimea Medal, Sevastopol); C. M'Alister, ISth 8.1. (Afghanistan a?id Egypt); W. Forsyth, 18th (long service medal and . the medal of his son, Lieut. Forsyth, of the 7th N.Z.H.R., who was killed at Botha'sberg); J. iv. Revell and J. Jones, Taranaki Rifles (N.Z. War Medal); C. Page and H. J. R-eid, 65th. Regiment (N.Z. War MedalJ; G. Tukic, .one-of the survivors of . Turr Tim Nokui (N.Z. War Medal); W. P. Aliram, J. '.Dempray, Wellington Rifles, J. HoSkins, T. Drammond, 'Wan?anui• Cavalry,-; and-R. -K. Bradbury, Colonial War Medals); J. Dove, 70th Regiment, S. Trail, Wahganui Cavalry - (N.Z. War Medal) ; Ji. Thornton (Crimea Allied Forces Lesion of Honour); GV Thomas,. Armed .Constabulary. (N.Z. War Medal); .T. Farrdll, 18th R:I.;(N.Z. War Medal); W, Palmer, 65t.1i Resimeiit.- E. M'C.onagle, Auckland Militia (N:Z.. War Modal and two medals of-his son, who died in South Africa). General Staff Entertained. After the inspection of veterans and a Survey of the animated scene in the arena, the Commandant and Kis staff were enter-tained-at lunch by Colonel Fnngle and his staff. Replying to tho toast of his health, Maior-Gcneral Godlcy remarked that ho had been greatly struck, by the enthusiasm in military . matters, which was in evidence in the-Manawatu district, and from correspondence which ho had received from all parts of New Zealand he felt convinced that-the.people of the Dominion were anxious to do all in their power to help the new scheme along. (Applause.) ■ ~ . : . The visitors left by the afternoons express. ... .. , The Route March, . . Meanwhilo -the course of the tourney was moving smoothly along, and the attendance of the publican the grandstand. grew larger as the afternoon wore on.. At intervals a- travel-stained,- but. cheerfullooking squad of "Booties" came trudging in from their seven-mile route march, and they received ail encouraging welcome from the grandstand. After the last party had arrived, and the judges. had compared notes, the honours of the route march were found to have bran, carried off by tho College Rides. The Tosmanians did very well considering the fact that their "own guns-are 18-ponnders, and that Choir svstcm of harnessing up and looking in is somewhat different from that used bv the Now Zealand gunners 4n handling our la-poundcr guns. At a hint fi'om headquarters the visitors were given the benefit of a few. extra rehearsals beforehand, and on tho day of the tournament succeeded in tying with D Battery's No. 2 team for second place in the alarm and turn-out contest. They did well in the other events-also.- winding .tho-big Lloyd Lindsav event with seven points to spare. The Wellington Engineers made an excellent work of their field observatory; considering tho inferior quality of the timber which they had to* use, and they lost .no time in getting the crow's nest into position. Field Artillery Competition. •Vlarum and turn-out for six-horso gun teams. First prize, ,£10;. second, £5. ReDnnedin (No. 1 team. Sergeant Milner), 61 points, 1;, a tie for second place, with 57 points, resulted between No. 1 Tasmania!! Field Battery and th" No. 2 team of D Battery, Wellington.-.

Range-finding". Competition for team.*'of'three specialists from any field battery in --the New Zealand or "Commonwealth Territorial Forces. First prize, i 2; second, ,£l. Results:— . , 1) Batterv., Wellington, ICO points, 1; B Battery," Dunedin, 151 points, 2. Field Observatory. . Competition for field engineer corps; first tirizo of .£lO awarded to tho Wellington Engineers, who secured SO per cent: of marks; no second. Wrestling Qn Horsobaek,■ . . ■ 1 Teams of tout men, bareback. First prize, ,£2; second, .£l. Results:— AYaikato Mounted Rifles, 1; Manawatu Mounted Rifles, 2. Lemon Cutting. First prize,.ill; second, 10s. Results:— Sergeant Olney, Dominion Scouts. 10 points, 1; Sergeant Roustead, Waikato Mounted Rifles, S points, 2;. Sergeant Jickell, Manawatu Mounted Rifles, 7 points, 8. Field Ambulance Work, Teams of six men; field ambulance work under tire. First prize. .£2; second 10s. Three teams from tl\c Wellington Ambu-. lance Corps competed. Results:— No. 3 teaui. 93 points, 1; No. 2 team, 75 points, 2; No. 1 team, 02 points, 3. Tent-Pegging (Sections). First prize, •.£•!; second, .£l. Results.— Waikato Mounted Rifios (No. 1 team), 14 points, 1: Waikato Mounted Rifles (No. 2 team), 12 points, 2. ' Lloyd-Lindsay Competition. Mounted infantry, in action, teams of four men. First prize, .£2O; second, ,£10; third, ,£5. Results:—Tasmanian Artillery. li

Tug-of-War (Horseback). First prize, £2; second, 10s. Eesultss-< Waimarino Mounted Eifles, 1; Waikatar Mounted Eifles, 2. Trumpet Competition. 1 Calls': "First Post," "Stables," and "Hny-up." First prize, JB1; second, 103, Results:— Bugler Smith, Christehurch Engineers, 95 points, 1; Trumpeter Hooper, D. Battery, ,92 points, 2; Bugler-Corporal Johnston, Wellington Engineers, 93 points, 3, Physical Drill. First prize, and the New Zealand Silver Challenge Cup for Physical Drill; second, £2. Results:— City Eifles, Wellington, 95 points, 1;'. Zealandia Jtiflcs, 88 points, 2; Palmer.' - ston North Eifles, 85 points, 3. Bayonet Fighting. Teams ,of eight men, under ■ « non«. commissioned ollicer. First prize, JOS; second, ;£2. Eesults. Wellington City Eifles,-90 points, If; Zealandia Eifles, SG points, 2; Palmer-* ston North Eifles, 85 points,' 3. \ Rifle and Firing Exercises, Teams of eight men, under a non-' . commissioned officer. First prize, w£B} •second; .£2. ■ Eesults •— Wellington City Eifles, 96 points, lj> Zealandia Eifles, Wellington, 89 points, : 2; Palmerston North . Eifles, 78 points, 3< Bayonet v. Bayonet., . First prize, £1; second, 10s. Eesults:-* Corporal Murphy,.... Zealandia Wellington, 1; Sergeant Olney, Dominion Scouts,-Wellington, 2. Tent-Pitching and Striking. For teams of five men. First prizej £5; second, £1. ' Eesults:—. ■' '- Greytown Eifles, Greytown, S4 points, Waikato Mounted Eifles, 75 points, -2j( Palmerston North Eifles-, 73 points, 3. Bugle Competition, First prize, .£1; second, 10s. Eesults :-ri; Bugler Smith, Christehurch 99 points, 1; Bugler H. C. Brice,' Christ-, church Engineers, 9i points, 2; Corpora^ 1 Tavendale, Wellington Navals, 91 points, 3* Tug-of-War. First prize, .£8; second, £2. . Eesults Highland Eifles, Wellington, 1; Gordori Eifles, Auckland, 2. Route Marching (Sonior Cadets). Distance, one mile, with three obstacles en route. First prize, J64;/ second, Xl.i Eesults:— ■ St. Anne's Cadets, 7$ points, 1; Technical School Cadets, 74d points, .2; Napier City Cadets, 73 points! 8. , ! Physical Drill .(Junior Cadets)', First prize, : £2; second. e £l. Eesults:— Petoito District -High School, 81 points, 1; Campbell Street School Cadets (No, 2 team),' 78 points, 2; Campbell Street , , School Cadets (No. 1 team), 76 points, 3. ' Tent-Pitching and Striking. First prize, <£1 55.; second, 15s. B* suits:— , -i Soys' Institute Cadets, 66' points, 1; . Technical ■ School Cadets. (No. l' team), 65 points, 2; Petoue District'Higli School . Cadets (No. 1 team), 63 points, 3. Bugle Competition (Cadets). 1 Trophy prizes, 1 and >2. 'Won bv Bugler! Meyrick, Technical School, Palmerston; North,: with 88 points. Buglers Hopkins and O'Leary, both of St. Anne's, Wellington, tied for the second, place, with 65points. . Balaklava melee, for. teams of: .' four* - mounted men. First prize/ £i, second .£2.' Eesults:—Waimarino Mounted Eifles,'l;,/ Tasmimian Field Artillery, -2. i Field sketching. First prize £2, second .£l. The cash prizes .were awarded to the first' aac in the map--sketching work, while, trophies were awarded •to the. first and., second in panoramic sketching.. Results:—Map,sketching—Corporal Wcod, D Battery, 1; Sergt.' Smith, D Battery, 2.. 'Panoramio sketching—Qunner Eeid, B Battery, : l";i Corporal Wcod, D Battery,-2. Infantry" maxim-gun competition - for infantry maxim, teams, without horses. Prize JjlO. 1 Only cue team; entered—thai .Auckland College Eifles, which gave"a' .display. . • r ... v.- ; , There" was one entry—the ■ Auckland -Engineers—for the field engineers' cable, lino event, which consisted of' the laying of half a. mile of cable- line,'connecting up, and. transmitting a. message. 1 The .Northern Corps gave ail interesting display, showing the utility; of the field' . cable cart.-" Evening Display. A very large number of people as* sembled at the show grounds, in . the 'evening Ito witness the fireworks display and other events arranged'for their edification. Tlie grounds were illuminated by an installation of electric arc lights supported by the dazzling beams of a.; searchlight. The whole of the illuminations were carried out by No. 3 Company., of . the Wellington . Garrison Artillery, (electric light section), under Lieutenant Ellis, and that they; were not a complete success was not tho. fault of the' corps,-, some portion of the .plant appar-; ently being somewhat, defective. Had it not been for the searchlight-the display - would .have been a fiasco: After.a grand, march past of representative fours from / 'the regiments of the'oversea Dominions (including Canada, India, West Africa, Malay States, and Hong-kong) there Vas a pleasing- figure • march by a. company of school girls from the. Campbell Street :Schooi. A display by a horde of:juvenile Zulus, a haka by the' College Eifles, and . a repetition of the musical ride, which had been: performed: by-the Manawatu. . Mounted Eifles during the afternoon, and a splendid display-of Reworks, held the attention of tho public for nearly an hour. The evening's proceedings con-: eluded with a realistic renresentation ofthe gallant, defence, of Eorke's Drift' (Zulu War), and a final march past. •