THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2234, 21 August 1914, Page 6

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

TRAINING AT CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

6000 MEN UNDER CANVAS.

(By- Telesrauh.—Special CorresDondeirU Palmerston North, August 20. Camp life is pleasant at Awapuni. Tlie week-end wetness which damped spirits and straw bedding alike has retreated before delightful spring sunshine, and the development of the .finished soldier article is proceeding untrammelled. The various offices are situated in'the Racing Club's buildings. The Staff occupies tho secretary's office, and the officers have meals in! the club's dining-room. \ Vigorous physical drill opens each day. Musketry instruction receives great attention, the range at Hokowhitu being useful. Tho officers endeavour to turn every movement to profit in a practical way, and in the various march-outs, for example, scouts are thrown ahead to examine the country. The sense ,of the grim reality which attaches to all operations makes the duty exhilarating, and the work unwearying. Ihe. horses and their gear are being eteadily- made serviceable, and the Wairarapa contingent, which brought its own horses, is considered to be specially well mounted. The artillery horses are being trained,, but the i guns have not yet arrived. Major Potter, who is in command, says that the health of all ranks is oscelleut. The Salvation Army Band and others give occasional concerts. Captain Cameron, of 'A Company, Wellington,- was yesterday reported to be progressing satisfactorily after an operation for appendicitis. Gunner West, of Palmerston, who is down with pneumonia, shows; no improvement. Troopers Cooper and M'Kenzie, of the Wairarapa, are progressing as weE as can be expected. \ The Concentration Gamps. The concentration of troops at the various camps is now almost complete. Yesterday over 6000 men were under canvas in the four centres, and in the course of a day or two it is anticipated that 8000 will be receiving training. Figures supplied yesterday show, that the camps are approximately constituted as follow:— . ' Officers. Men. Auckland 67 1,611 Palmersten North 50 1,800 Otago ............... 40 1,340 I Chnstchurch ;... 60 . \ 1,440 Totals ........ 207 - .'. 6,191 In the Wellington military district alone well over 5000 men, Territorials and civilians, have registered. . ,' Duneriln, August 19., ■ There were, about 1210 men at Taliuna- Park this morning and some 30 arrived during the day from the/North Otaso districts. The men were busy all day at ordinary training work. During the. afternoon Sir J. G- Ward accompanied by Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.P., visited the camp. Colonel Bauchop has now taken commaad of his unit and his place as Officer" Commanding the District has been taken by Colonel Nic'holls, V.D., who has Captain Hickey/ D.5.0., as General Staff Officer. Civilians are being rigorously excluded from the camp, none being allowed in unless /provided with a pass. Officers' Field kits. The field kits for mounted and dismounted officers going abroad with the Expeditionary Forco have been divided into ;tbree categories—-A, B, and C. Category A comprises those articles of field kit carried on the person or-horse. Category B comprises those articles which are carried in train transport baggage section, and which are' to supplement "A when required, or where possible. Category C comprises reserve baggage left at the base. Included in Category A for mounted officers are one Army Book 155, fieldser.vice pocket-book, cholerarbelt, one magnetic compass, one pair wire-cutters, one set glasses, one hold-all, one claspknife with swivel, one haversack, mess tin, sword knots, jersey, pistol, cornbags, nose-bag. Dismounted . officers carry the majority of the articles merated, with the exception that Army Book .153 must be taken. In Category B for both branches are included pair boots, canvas bucket, "housewife," collapsible .' lantern, leggings,, sleeping bag or valise, writing materials, training manual, one tin Dubbin, unsweetened chocolate, soup tabloids, bottle of cblorodyne, Epsom salts, quinine, one green canvas kit bag, three handkerchiefs, two brown shirts. Also one camp kettle for every three officers who pack into it one enamelled cup, two enamelled plates, one pepper pot, and ono salt pot. Articles under Category C • ehould be divided into two classes; —(1) Articles required from time to time to supplement and replace A and' B when possible; (2) articles not required till after the war.' Detail such as flannel ■suit for steamer wear, spare uniform, etc. Tlie tables are issued as a guide only, and officers are referred to "Field Service Pocket Book," pages 170 to 176. C-l to be. packed in brown leather kit bag; C-2 to be packed in bullock trunk.or tin trunk. The foregoing should be clearly marked in painted letters, giving rank, name, regiment, and name of transport, and labels pasted on showing the following :—(1) Cabin luggage; (2) wanted on voyage; and (3) not wanted on voyage. The. Field Artillery Battery and Ammunition Column and the Wellington Regiment of Infantry accompanying the Expeditionary Force travel ftoni Wellington by H.M. troopship No. 11. Donations of periodicals and books for these troops may be sent to Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co-, and will be distributed to the men.