EVENTS IN N.Z.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2268, 30 September 1914, Page 6

EVENTS IN N.Z.

TROOPS IN CAMP

FIELD MANOEUVRES NEXT WEEK

THE TROOPSHIPS' CANTEENS

NO EXPLOITATION OF THE MEN

■•'■ Major J. G. Hughes,..Assistant Military Secretary,'" l yesterday issued information to the,eKect that Major-General Sir Alexander Godley, Officer Commanding tlie Force, hopes to assemble all the 6000 troops in Wellington next week, 'when field manoeuvres will be indulged in. The operations will extend over Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; but the site has not yet been selected. When it is decided oii the ■public will be acquainted with tho fact, arid will be enabled to witness the troops as near to active service as is possible. .-.■'■'■: - ■ Numerous Camps. : ]A ring of camps surround Wellington now, ■ while the. city is full of khakiclad figures. The numerous camps have settled down'to routine, tho men being quite accustomed to camp life. The big camp is at Trentham, where ovev-900 officers and men, ana/.close on 1000 horses arc established. The camp is an excellent one' for ;mounted men, and the Mounted Rifles will be able to carry on their work as at-Palmerston North. The horses, which call for every attention on the part of. the men, will be watered at the Hutt River.

, At Hutt Park over 650 men are camping, and as many as possiblt are sleeping in the grandstand and oth.er buildings. , • . The Miramar camp, where 450 men and horses are stationed, is close to tlie tram,line. ' ■■'. ■.■;■■■

At Seatouri,. where the smallest camp is situated, comprising some 200 odd Otago 'nounted men, • a fine-site has been selected, sheltered by a belt of pines. The surrounding country is available for mounted work.

The other camps are at Lyall Bay 'and Alexandra Barracks. The latter place is gradually assuming the appearance of a large.kitchen, cooking uteusils apparently being everywhere. With Fixed Bayonets. A large force is required to guard.the troopships, and in the vicinity of the big-' vessels are scattered guards with fixed bayonets, so that it is impossible to -'approach. without having to answer two or-three challenges, while-it is quite out of the question to get aboard without a special pass issued from the Ad-jutant-General's office on board. Aboard the vessel ■•pn .which the Headquarters. Staff of the Expeditionary l''orco is stationed a very complete suite of-offices has been established for the transaction of the. heavy work which falls to the Adjutant-General's branch. The saloon fittings oil this boat have not been: dismantled, >so that the quarters for the Staff present a very cosy appearance. ... ■ . -.. Cleaning Ships. The last of the horses: were brought ashore yesterday. . Afterwards the, ships were cleaned. A very, great disorder on the decks of- a ship can bo created by a few hundred horses in a few days' time, but a plentiful application of sea water soon transformed the vessels into something 'resembling their usual tidy appearance. But it will be many; days before tho transports are [again turned' into the', spick and span cargo boats that they. .Were before broke out. The infantrymen are highI )y pleased to see the last of the horses for tho. time being. Tho tramp, tramp of their feet at night prevented the men from sleeping in their restricted quarters 'tween decks.. . • ■ .

A Sports Meeting... A sports meeting of the troops while in Wellington is.being advocated by a large number of the "men.. Amajority of the men in the ranks come from athletic clubs; .and they would welcome some gathering, of this sort. Their winter sports werp in many cases curtailed, and they will be entirely deprived of club games during the next six months. A sports gathering at NewtownPark for the military and naval forces at present in Wellington would undoubtedly draw a good attendance of the public and would swell the Patriotic Fund,.and provide enjoyment for the troops.'" '■'■■•.■.'.

The Military Police. i. There aro a goodly number of well-eot-up young,- isoldiers ■ parading the streets, ;day' and night, wearing on their arms a ; large badge with M.P. prominently displayed. The letters do not indicate that the wearers have, had Parliamentary; honours thrust , upon them. ; They are tho military,police, whose duty it. is to look after the troopers wno are on leave in town.