A GREAT SPECTACLE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2364, 21 January 1915, Page 6

A GREAT SPECTACLE

— « UNIQUE PARADE OP TROOPS ON TRENTHAM RACECOURSE What will in all probability go down in tho history of the Wellington Eacing Club as tho "Khaki Meeting" drew a very large attendance of the public yesterday to the picturesque course under tho hills at Trentham. One does not usually associate a race meeting with the military, but it will be next to impossible to dissassociate the year that Pavlova won the Wellington Cup from the remarkable spectacle that formed the prelude to the meeting. This grim barade —for the sparkle and flash has departed from military displays—and the presenoe of khaki-clad men amongst tho gay race throng throughout the day Ws a forcible reminder to many of the praotical immunity from the stresa of i war that New Zealand is enjoying, and at the same time of the part we are playing in the strife that is disrupting the greater part of Europe. : The parade of troops (without arms) commenced at 11.30 a.m., when the head of the long brown column was seen to enter the racecourse between the pine trees on the southern side, having marched in good order from the tented field a quarter of a mile away. The band took its place at a central point opposite the grandstand, and the sunbrowned troops, marching steadily in fine order, swung round the main course into the straight, and so on, past the cheering crowds that packed both of the stanfls and lined the terraceß and fences. To the bracing music of "The Old Brigade," they actually did march "steadily shoulder to shoulder" (as the song mentioned has it), a hard, alert, brawny-looking lot, that appeared quite capable of giving a good account of themselves in a tight corner. As company by company passed tho grandstand, volleys of applause rang out, showing spontaneously the admiration the spectacle created. The column seemed as though it would never end. When the first two or three companies had passed on past the people's stand, swung into the "fiat," and formed up in massed order there, the line of animated khaki was still seen emerging from between the pines in the distance. One section showed a lighter shade against the background of green—it was the "Boys of the Old Brigade" in being— the force that is to take the place at Samoa of the garrison at present there. Their loose-fitting_ uniforms of khaki drill—iust the thing for the climateshowed a brighter and lighter tone, and a special round of applause was given them as they trudged sturdily down the straight, looking neither to left or right. One little- movement that created a slight diversion happened at the point where, the column turned off from the course into the centre of the ground. By section in line they "doubled" across the breadth of the-course and then reformed into column for the re-: mainder of their march back to the area opposite the. grandstand. Tho turn : out was splendidly organised and carried out in a manner that roflectod the highest credit on all concerned, and, in particular, the Camp Commandant, Colonel H. R. Potter, who has charge of the arrangements. The parade order was as follows:— THE CAMP BAND. ■ „ Headquarters Staff. 3rd REINFORCEMENTS.' Mounted Rifles Regiment. New Zealand Field Artillery. Engineers Corps. Signallers' Corps. Infantry Battalion. Samoa Relief Force. Mounted Troops. Army Service Corps. 4th REINFORCEMENTS. Mounted Rifles' Regiment. New Zealand Field Artillery. Infantry Battalion. sth REINFORCEMENTS. Officers. ' Non-Commissioned Officers. Army Service Corps and other unitsAmbulance Corps. Veterinary Corps. There were exactly 3774 troops of $ ranks <n parade, of which about 1800 form the 3rd Reinforcements, 1300 the'4th. Reinforcements, 600 tho Samoa Relief Force, and the rest other units. The average age of the men of the 3rd and 4th Reinforcements is S2. The range of age of the men is between 40 and 47 years. Splendidly Behaved Troops. One cannot write of yesterday's memorable parade, without remarking on the exemplary conduct of the men throughout the day. The troops were made the guests of the Wellington Racing Club, and it is good to be able to record that they never abused their privileges. They appeared to he well supplied with cash, which they freely invested,, and in other ways they enjoyed every minute of the long buiishiny day. At noon they were entertained at luncheon by the club, and did full justice to the good fare provided. Among those who were present at the meoting were: The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massev), the Hons. W. Fraser, R. H. Rhodes, and Sir Joseph Ward.