EVENTS IN N.Z.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2261, 22 September 1914, Page 6

EVENTS IN N.Z.

THE MEN AT AWAPUNL, i PALMERSTON WANTS SECOND CAMP. FIELD ARTILLERY PARADE. PATRIOTIC AND RELIEF FUNDS. Delightful weather again favoured the week-end visitors to the Awapuui camp._ Among Sunday's events an interesting incident was a supper party provided by the ladies of St. Andrew's to fifty troopers who attended the evening service at their church. The Public ■ Hospital authorities report that all the sick soldiers under treatment there are progressing favourably. The latest admission is Private R. E. J. Kelly, Imperial Reservist, Nightcaps, Otago, with pneumonia.

THE NEXT CAMP. PALMERSTON'S BID AGAINST TRENTHAM. , (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Palmerston N., September 21, Palmerston is exceedingly sad over the' prospect of losing _ its camp.' -Following up local discussions of the Government's intention to transfor the camp to Trentham when the present expedition has sailed, a deputation consisting of the municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Racing Club (and leading citizens) waylaid the Minister of Defence when ho was passing through by train from Auckland this afternoon and urged Him to reconsider the proposed transfer. Mr. Buick, M.P., introduced the deputation. . ■ Tho M»,yor, Mr. J. A. Nash, said he understood the Defence authorities had decided to shift tho camp to Trentham but in order that the camp might be kept in Palmerston North a proposal' had been'formulated which ho desired to. submit to the Minister. That proposal was that the camp should be transferred to Terrace End, where there were 31. acres, that could be obtained (or a site. This land was i where tho workers' dwellings were being ' erected and had a natural slope to tho Manawatu River and a gravel subsoil. It had been inspected by military officers and pronounced as being first class for a oamp site. In addition there was a railway siding. from Terrace End Station that could be used for, horses. The borough owned the Coronation Hall at Terrace End, which was adjacent to the proposed site, and also ten acres of land near the siding, both of which would be offered free of chargo to the Department. The hall could bo used as headquarters. The Mayor said he supposed a great essential in camp was the health of the men, and ho was authorised to say the camp would be connected with the borough sewerage and also given the use- of the borough water supply free of charge, as well. Ho was, certain that if. the matter was referred toMhe. health authorities and veterinary officers, the Terrace End site would he favoured. ' Trentham wa6 not to be comparod with it. Tho Minister said in reply that he was Very grateful to Palmerston North for its generous offer. The now camp would only contain about 1600 men and the. question of a site was really in the' hands of General Godley. Whichever place best suited his convenience- would be selected. ,n ;'.>■*• Tho Mayor said 'he thought it.might be possible for the Minister _to recommend that a report be obtained as to suitability cf-each site from the veterinary and medical authorities. The Minister; "Well, we. will have a report on both."' . The Mayor stated that he had already sent General Godley a plan of the proposed site at Terrace End. ARTILLERY BATTERY. MARCH THROUGH THE CITY. An impressive march through Lambton Quay was made by the held artillery battery of tho Expeditionary Force yesterday .afternoon.' At the head of the column rode Licut.-Col. G. W. Johnston, R.A., who is in command,' followed by his adjutant, Lieut. J. M. Richmond. The batteries wore under command of Major F. Symon. Major F. D. Sykos, and Major I. T. Standish, and Captain F. G. Hume was in command of the brigade ammunition column. . .' -' • That the men have improved by their five weeks' training was apparent to anyone, and they presented a most businesslike appearance The effects of the open-air nlo were noticeable, for the men were all burnt a; deep brown. They sat their-horses in a soldierly manner, and the drivers handled the'gun-teams like experts. The horses were particularly fine animals and were evidently accustomed to good hard work. Right through the battery'there was an absence of any sign of lameness in the horses, and the officers' mounts appeared full of mettle. The long linos of mounted men, stretching the length of Lambton Quay, made a good impression on the spectators, of whom alargo number had gathered. A short time before the parade of the men the Defence Department allowed the event to bo made public, and notices were plentifully posted in the streets. The Drill Hall presents a strange appearance now, the large floor having been covered with lines of straw, on which the artillerymen will find'd comfortable couch. The change-from out of doors will not be altogether appreciated, as the men have struck good weather while in camp. The field artillery brigade will, according to information supplied by Major Hughes, Assistant Military Secretary, march through the town to-day. The batteries will leave the Alexandra Barracks as under:—Third" Battery, at 9 a.m.; Second Battery, at 10/30 a.m.; First Battery, at noon. The route will be via Cambridge Terrace, Jervois Quay, Panama Streot, and Lambton Quay.

AGENT FOR THE SOLDIERS TO ACT IN LONDON. PROPOSAL TO RAISE FUNDS. A proposal that a civilian agent should be appointed to act in London in the interests of wounded ana invalided soldiers now going to tho front with the Expeditionary Force was made to the Prime Minister yesterday by a deputation representative of a numberof the Patriotic Committtoes organised throughout New Zealand. Following were the delegates present: Messrs J .P. Luke (Mayor of Wellington), G. Gray (Timaru), Dr. Gabites (Timaru), G. M. Spence (Blenheim), Dr. Willis (Feilding), Byron Brown (Otaki), A. Lever , (Westport), H. Morrison (Wairarapa), H. Buuett (Woodville), J. N. Simmonds (Taumaruhui), T. B. Williams (Wauganui), A. M. Coinray (Hawora), F. S. Goldingliam (Palmerston), and T. E. Y. Seddon, JI.P. (Hokitik'a). Mr. J. Nash, who spoke for the deputation, said that they were agreed that tho appointment of some olficial not under military control was necessary, and that they had passed a resolution asking tho Government: (1) To agree to a Dominion Civilian Fund being established for the care of New Zealand invalided or wounded soldiers, and for emergencies, arising at home; (!2) that tho Government subsidise same pound for Bound from moneys already, naid w,

from patriotic counties; (3) that a first cat! for 10s. per man in the Expeditionary Force l)o made over the wholo of the Dominion; (4) that the Government agreo to the appointment of a civil, honorary if possible, to administer the fund under the control of the High Commissioner's Office in London. Tlio Primo Minister said that tho Government had already given the matter some consideration, but had not arrived at any definite conclusion upon it. They fully realised, however, that something must be done in tho direction suggested. They had thought of instructing tho High Commissioner to detail as many officials of his staff as might be .Necessary to look after those matters the deputation had in mind. With regard to the finance of tho proposal, ho was not sure that the Government could use -any of the moneys in tho Patriotic Fund for this purpose, because that money had been subscribed for the equipment of tho Force. Ho would like to consult with his colleagues and with General Godley on the proposal, but the deputation could be assured that the Government wore fully alive to the necessity of appointing someone, and the appointee a civilian, I to look after the interests of the men at Homo.