AT ALDERSHOT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1545, 14 September 1912, Page 9

AT ALDERSHOT.

N.Z. OFFICER'S IMPRESSIONS. During his recent business visit to England, Sir. A. A. Corrigau (who returned to Wellington by the 'Athenic on Tuesday last), spent, by way of relaxation, practically all his spare time at, Aldorsliot, with the Imperial troops. As' an officer of the New Zealand Territorial Force (Fifth 'Wellington Regiment), Major Corrigan was accredited to the War Office by Major-General Godley, and on reporting himself was attached to the Hampshire Regiment during the manoeuvres in the vicinity of Aldershot. He speaks very highly of the courtesy and attention accorded him during what to him was a most enjoyable and thoroughly instructive association with tho Imperial officers—"hard-working officer?, inspired by a keen and enthusiastic desire for efficiency," .-was Major Corrigan's impression. "Tho march discipliuo of tha troops," he continued, "was magnificent.' Tho British soldier of to-day knows how to march, and his officers see that while--on tho march he keeps himself fit. Wonderful endurance was displayed during the manoeuvres-by troops on the niarch, and on the hottest day in his experience— and it can be stifling at Aldershot—Major Corrigau only saw one man surrender to tho temptation to drink from a stream , ! •along, the:routo of .the column. That nianj, wri's at onco detected-and placed under ar-j rest—men who drink en route cannot, niarch well. Again, the Army transportwas marAllous, and as for the cookingand commissariat generally, tho Now Zealand officer was astounded at the acme of; perfection which prevailed. Great oil-' cookers, on lorries, replaced the old-fash-ioned camp-fires. There was no delay when the -mess-call sounded, and everj"thing worked liko clock-work. At Alderslfot, Major Corrigan met several old friends of tho New Zealand Military Forces. Brigadior-Gencral R. H. Pavies (formerly Inspector-General of the New Zealand Forces), who now commands the Sixth Infantry Brigade, was very highly esteemed at Aldershot, while Colonel A. W. Robhu (Chief of tho New Zealand General Staff under the old regime), and now attached to the Imperial Council of Defence in London, is already spoken -of•■ as an administrative advisor with a ready and practical grasp of affairs. "Aldershot is tho centre of military gossip," said Major Corrigan,. "and it is there that you get a man's measure. Captain G. S. Richardson is working very hard at Camberley (some sewn miles from Aldershot) and is thought very highly of by senior officers. I also met Major .T. W. M'Donald, and Captain Seddon. Major M'Donnld has been doing tho rounds of tho service, so to speak, and was about to be posted to staff duty. Ho is working like a. nigger, they told me. Captain Seddon is with tho Leicester Regiment. Everyone whom I met," concluded tho speaker, "was interested in our defenco scheme, and the trend of opinion is in, a similar direction at Home. Tho British Regular Army is small, very small, but remarkably efficient. The Territorial Army is good in parts—some units mo composed of a very fine stamp of men—but hero and there one gets the idea of inferiority of material in the rank and iile."