GARRISON CAMPS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1383, 8 March 1912, Page 7

GARRISON CAMPS.

No. a Company G.A.V., now garrisoned at Fort JCclburne, under 'Captain Bevan, had a liard day of work and sport yes--terday. Rising an hour earlier than usual, they got.through their routine work by mid-day, and then entrained for Petone. Officers and men numbered 130, and this is most likely the strongest single company that has yet paraded in New Zealand. Arriving.at I'elonc they marched to the recreation ground, and commenced infantry drill. It was surprising to an onlooker >o notice that the majority of the men were, a few days ago, merely recruits. They went through their "evolutions smartly and smoothly, and it mar be surmised that by next year they will be hardly distinguishable from hardened veterans—at least as fur as their drill'is concerned. About i! p.m. the company was dismissed, and the sports commenced. A sharp shower had made the ground slippery, and therefore most of the men elected to run barefooted, though one or two had taken the precaution to provide themselves with spiked shoes. The "races were run in true amateur athletic style, with perhaps a little more merriment than is usually met with on sports grounds.' The Kick race was most amusing, hut perhaps the best race of the afternoon .was the officers' race. The good-natured chaff among the' men who laughingly called their "favourites" to each other, showed that they had been in camp long cnoiigh to, nickname their senior's in true "Tommy Atkins" style. The race resulted in a-tic for Captain Eoss, N.Z.M.C., and Lieutenant Mathews. Captain Ross ran a fine race, and appeared to be a "hot favourite." Having finished their sports tlic men again fell in, and marched to the station, catching the 5 o'clock train back to barracks. To-morrow at 10 o'clock they will have their first actual firing practice. On Saturday they will fire again under the eve. uf General Godh-y and stall'. Camp will be struck, on Sunday, and the rear's' training finished. The following are the results of the races:—' 100 yards— Gunner Mackenzie, 1; Hamsden, 2; Thompson, I). 220 yards—Gunner Flaws, 1; Bugler Denby, 2: Gunner Kidd, 3. . Married men, 100 raids—Sergeant Dickeon, ]; Corporal Hay, 2. Sack race—.Sergeant Dickson, 1; Gmill or K. Kynn, 2. 440 yards-Gunners Brunette, 1; Jeffs, 2; Parker, 3. Oflieeis' race—Captain Iloss, N.Z.M.C., and Lieut. .Mathews, 1; Lieut. Vosseler, 2. Three-legged race—Gunners M'Keuzie and Kamsdoit, 1; Ferguson and Martin, 2; l-Bombardier Nuttall and Gunner J'rice, 'i. 880 yards—Gunners lord, 1; Sergeant Ferguson, 2; Gunner Brunette, :i. The searchlight drill at Fort Ballance was continued last night, and was used for the purpose of helping the gun layers. As the old Klcc'rie Light Company i<> disbanded, the work comes under geiij eraluraining to garrison companies. The camp was inspected by Colonel Chaylor, officer commanding the district, yesterday aflernooit. lie was accompanied by Major Cochrane, and appeared mule satisfied with the work dono and progress made. To-morrow morning the company will cross to Fort Kelbiirnc in the ,lanie Seddon to see No. 5 Company shoot. The recruits will then for the first lime gel u glimpse into Ihe mo'-t serious part of a gunner's education. The men seem to like their work more as they learn more, and it would not lake a prophet, to say ilml most of them will be sorry when camp i« over for the year. Work at Fort Dorset has proceeded without hitch, and from all accounts General Godley will be well vitislied when he inspects the company on Saturday.