WITH THE VANGUARD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1042, 3 February 1911, Page 6

WITH THE VANGUARD.

AT TAUHERINIKAU. ■ THE WAY OP THE ARMY. ' It is not difficult to bo keen and enthusiastic for a week of strenuous endeavours; even for two or three, novelty may supply the zest for a great display ( of energy. But wlien the weeks become a month, and yet another mouth is added to the tale, keenness, enthusiasm, and energy may weaken under the constant strain of keeping up to concert pitch. From, this point of view the progress of Hie probationary officers and sergeants-major now in camp at Taulierinikau, training for appointments in the pioneer line of the Dominion's ne\y army of defence, becomes of greater interest as the weeks go by. They went into camp just about a month ago with a flourish of trumpets, so to speak, and were straightway' put to recruit training—the "goose-step" no less. From that they have progressed by easy stages. In a word, they nil had to go back to school again, whether they needed it or not, for two reasons. One was that the sheep had .to be separated from the goats, if one might put it that way, and tho other was that bad habits and- inacenracies in drill, acquired through years of loose supervision, - maybe, had to bo detected, and eradicated, to the end- that all might'be turned out ton pattern pleasing to the. fastidious eyo of the Director of Military Training and Staff Duties.

A month has sufficed to dispose of the elementary work, and to ascertain,. by a progress examination, the weak spots in the company. This examination.has also demonstrated to the less-, canablc the precise extent, of their limitations, though it would be unfair to definitely determine the merits of tli6>o who joined the camp at a late stage of the course, and were therefore handicapped in the race for examination honours. In the beginning the bare 5G required for appointment to the various areas and groups wero sent into camp. Hut since then, for ;i reason which may easily be guessed, the number has been added to very considerably.

• Terr—rot! A representative of '.The Dominion visited the camp at Tauhorinikau yesterday, and saw, aniohg other things, the riding school. The men are just beginning to receive instruction in mounted infantry work, but before commencing squadron drill, considerable pains aro being taken to improve tho horsemanship of all concerned. A good manv aro fino horsemen, others again lack, either totally or in part; this accomplishment, and so arc making haste.to further add to their military .versatility. After dinner the "school" emerged from tho horse lines behind the camp, and paraded, mounted, in a paddock close by. To them camo their ■ riding-master. The school itself consists, of a circular track, with the riding-master in the centre. Metaphorically speaking, ho cracks the 1-,' hip and the pupils daucoto tho tune. , "Walkmarch!" Bound they go, and as they file off the ridingmaster, who seems to be all over the ring at once, indulges in somb constructive criticism; Obviously —most obviously—certain of the. pupils are. strangers to the saddle, a fact which receives ample emphasis'. when' tho next order is given: "Terr-rot!" They break into a trot; the experienced horsemen in the company rise gracefully to the trot, while-the others'less familiar with their new positions preserve their dignity of pose with difficulty. ■ '

Trenches and Fortifications. : Across the river, via' a rough and;i'eady bridge, constructed in two hours by two of the sergeanis-maior, are entrenchments and>all-the.-attendant- paraphernalia for. fortifying, a-field" position. The great thing to be aimed at in tactics is the concealment of fire, hence- the constant flow, of suggestions from engineer officers on the subject of modern field fortifications. The modern trench is not si straight cut, but a crooked-looking affair, with i, Detection -against* enfilading fire, and.carefully conoEolcd. The whole, thing is so.cleverly done that if one does not use. one's eyes the trench disappears from view.' The men at Tauherinikau,' practising among themselves, have been studying methods of taking cover and concealment of fire. The other day one of the instructors > lay down on the ground about 20 yar,ds off the main body, whicji positively could not delect him, so neatly had ho taken cover.

Colonel E. S. Heard, the Commandant of the camp, is away on sick leave, Major J. G. Hughes, .D.5.0., being in charge at present. -.Very shortly the men- will bostudying the -.elements-. of veterinary work, aiid a staff of instructors will bo available. ' "' '' '