IN THE MOUNTED CAMP AT ORINGI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1745, 9 May 1913, Page 6

IN THE MOUNTED CAMP AT ORINGI.

MEN & THE MENU. GOOD EXERCISE: GOOD FARE. t a (Br Telegraph—Bptoial Oorrcsponil«n',.> 5 Oritigi Camp, May S. 1 A fine sunny day, with the faintest susB picion of winter in the air, arid a slight 1 so.uth-easterly' brcozo just sufficient to j freshen one up, the wide, open field, plenty of manoeuvres, and, under such congenial conditions, trooper and horse l'elt it "good to bo alive." .Squadron drill was continued to-day, both men and horses, showing a great improvement on their first training. A squadron of troopers drilling is indeed a sight worth seeing. Moving along at a gallop iu column, tho word of command rings out suddenly, the end man of each column pulls his horse back on its haunches, and the whole line swings round on him as;a needle on u pivot. Again the squadroh moves forward—this timo iu line—a > whistle sounds, and the body of men sweep away to the right or left, according as tho extended arm of the officer indicates: "Halt!" and the horses, are on their haunches. "forward!" and they ■ are straining on their bits in an anxious endeavour to beat their fellows. The young trooper sits through it all with the I sure confidence of the practised rider, and i the certain knowledge that he—not the i horse—is master. So the drill continues throughout the whole day, and when (after their return to camp) the men have partaken of a hearty meal, they are unanimous in the opinion that, after all, compulsory camp life under military discipline is not so bad. The usual lecture was held last night, several points which had arisen during the day being discussed. It has also been decided to hold a field day next AVednesday, when equestrian and pedestrian sports will take place. Considering the quality of the men and horses in camp, the entries should be fairly numerous. Lectures on the anatomy of the horse and treatment generally are being supervised by tho camp veterinary surgeon (Major Young). His genial manner of lecturing has greatly taken the farrier sections of the three regiments, and much good work should result. It is interesting to note that, to-day (Thursday) 40 horses were shod. If tho work continues in this manner it will probably be necessary to increase the number of men in each section. Special arrangements are mado for tho sick horses. They are kept separate from the others in au enclosure formed by wind screens. Nursing orderlies are in constant attention, and every care is taken of them. At present thero is only one serious case—that of a horse- suffering from a wounded hock caused by a kick. A certain amount of trouble is experienced by the men through tho horses on tlio ordinary lines breaking loose at and galloping about tho tents. This is generally caused through insufficient care being given to tho haltering. The camp is now presenting a more spic and span appearance than it did earlier in the week. The men, on their arrival in camp, were new to the work and, consequently, tlio camp suffered. This has now been rectified, and the aspect lias improved. The refuse, also, which was not very satisfactorily disposed of at tho commencement, is now arranged for differently.' Incinerators arc burning day nnd night and huge pits havo been dug to dispose of the refuse which cannot be burnt. The cooking houses are also the better for the supervision which they have received. Additional help has been given the cooks, and the food distribution arrangements 'are consequently better. Where; in the beginning, half an hour was taken to distribute food to 400 men, it now takes only ten minutes. Speaking of food it might be of interest to know what food the men have. This is to-day's menu for the 9th Regiment:—Breakfast: Porridge, stewed chops and steak, tea. Lunch: Tea, bread and butter, cheese, and jam. Dinner: Roast mutton, potatoes, onions, and apple tart. The menu for each regiment differs slightly. Hot coffee, is also served at 6.15 a.m. It is not peculiar that, so far, no serious complaints in regard to food have been received. As further showing the "sweet reasonableness" of the cooks, the writer, in strolling through the lines, was stopped and invited to havo "a piece of'duff'." The men, it appears, had brought the ingredients with them, and asked the cook to make them up. He did so, and it was an admirable pudding.

Following is the day's routine: Reveille, 6 a.m.; early coffee, G. 15 a.m.; physical drill, 6.30 to G. 15 a.m.; stables, 6.45 a.m.; breakfast, 7.45 a.m.; training, 9 to 12.15 p.m.; stables, 12.15 p.m.; dinner, 1 p.m.; parade, 2.40 p.m.; night stables, 4.45 p.m.; guard mounting, G. 30 p.m.; first post, 9.30 p.m.; last post, 10 p.m.; "lights out," 10.15 p.m. A conference of Territoriol O.S.C. is to bo held next Sunday. The officers have been asked- to forward question papers, and these will lie discussed. About 16 officers are expected, and much of interest concerning Territorial training should ensue. The four Territorials (Ingram, Reid, Bishop, and Tauck) who were admitted to tho Dannevirko Hospital from the infantry camp, are reported to be progressing favourably, and will soon bo about again.