NATIONAL RESERVISTS AT DRILL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2517, 19 July 1915, Page 6

NATIONAL RESERVISTS AT DRILL

CONTEST AT NEWTOWN PARK

HIGHLY CREDITABLE DISPLAY

HATAITAI THE WINNERS

The chill of mid-winter was in the breeze that blew smartly, across Newtown Park oil Saturday affiernoon, when tho novel drill and marching contest for squads representing the various companies of the National Reserve in Wellington and tho surrounding suburbs was held under tho auspices of the Wellington Patriotic Society, a function jviiich marked the close of the Carnival iu aid of tlie "Wounded Soldiers' Fund. It was a pity that the elements were so unpropitious, becauso the turn-out was really a splemlid one, and the standard or the drill and marching, though the ground was soft, and, in places, sticky, was commendably high, and tho spectacle far from uninteresting. Tlie contest was really a,try-out to seo what progress the National Reserve was making as a unit in tho scheme of the Dominion's defence, and from the remarks of tlie military gentlemen present, Whoso- practised eyes take in the slightest delect, there was nothing but praise for the smart soldierly manner -in which tlje sections answered the drill orders. "Put them in uniform," said one officer, "and they would make just as good a showing aj the Territorials!" In drilling in mufti tho lack of a certain elan or inspiration is felt; the consciousness cf being in the King's uniform gives a conscientious soldier, and to the eye the movements always look better than .when performed by sections in more or less motley mufti. Comment was made at the park on Saturday ■ tha<? there were too many young men in the ranks, but it has to bo considered that r.;aiiy of them have domestic ties of one kind and another that prevent them offering themselves to their country, however willing thoy may be to serve; ■

The contest-on Saturday was for a Union Jack emblazoned • in the centre ivitli the device of the National Reserve (tlie gift of Ml'. L. M'Kenzie). It was for squads of sixteen men under a non-commissioned -officer, who, having arrived.at the base; went through •their drill movements under the eye of tho judge, Major Fleming Ross, Officer Commanding the otli _ Regiment (Wellington), who had as his assistant Major Wil]iam Simm, second in command of tho sth.

Tho competing squads, in the order bney competed, and their non-commis-Bioned officers, were as follow:—

No. 1..-Island Bay (B squad). Sergt. 0. E. Proctor. No. 2. Wellington Central, Sergt.- H. V. Molir. No. 3. Upper Hutt, Sergt. Gurden. No. 4. Petone, Sergt. F. W. Thompson. No. 5. Lower Hutt, Sergt. 'A. F. Tosswill.

No, 6. Brooklyn, Sergt. W. 'A; Ramsay. No. 7. Miramar, Sergt. "W. Hull. No. 8. Eastbourne, Sergt. 11. Miiinis. N T o. 9. Thorndon and Wadestown, Sergt. H. F. Von Haast. No. 10. Wellington South, Seret. ,W. Talbut. ' No. 11. Ngaio, Sergt. A. M. Parkinson. No. 12. Island Bay (A 1 squad), Sergt. J. Hand. No. 13. Kliandallali', Sergt. It. G. Williams. No. 14. Hataitai, Sergt. W. J. Gaudin. No. 15. Wellington Bast, Sergt. W. J. Neal. No'. 16. Kelburn, ; Karori, and Northland, Sergt. M. J. M'Leod.

The various squads were commendably prompt in taking up their places, and no tirae was lost after the judges had finished their survey of one team before they engaged the next one, and the whole operation did not take' much over the hour. The contest was witnessed by a crowd that numbered about' a thousand,' and at a base where Col* ?i' I'orter, C.8., Officer Commanding tho National Reserve, Major Davis, a tllG comply commanders' of the Wellington group, and the members ot'the executive of the Patriotic Society. •

At tli© conclusion of the contest the whole of'the companies marched post, ■(nth Colonel Porter as review officer. One of the'non-coms raised a. laugh round the baso by giving the order Jijyes left!' instead of "Eyes right!" immediately before drawing abreast of tho saluting point. Needless to say the company disobeyed the word of oommand as-one man. Following the march past the whole of the sections were drawn up an hollow square at the' base, the . judge (Major Ross) presented his report to Colonel Porter, who aimounoed the result of the contest to be as follows:— First.—No. 14 squad (Hataitai), with hi points. Second-N°. 19 fquad (Wellington _ South), with 175 points. '?;T; No '. 7 s< l uad ' (Miramar), with 174J- points. The following was the order in which the remainder of the squads . were placed and points given by the judge: lliorndou and Wadestown, 1671 • Brookyn, 109 ; Wellington East, 155; Eastbourne 152; Island Bay (both A and B squads)I 151; Klandallah, ISO; W r . i Ngaio, 141 • Kelbum, Karon, and Northland, 140; Wellinoinn Central, 138; Upper Hutt, 130.; Potone, In intimating his pleasure at beine present, Colonel Porter stated that the intimated that he had had a difficult task m separating the best of the squads, and he complimented the 1° 0 of tsle sections on their soldierly appearance and' their marching. As .far col see the difference between the squads seemed to be in • the pace they 6et up, and weaknesses caused by one or two men in some of the squads. It must have been a very difficult task for tho judge, .wljo had no doubt given a proper decision, not having known one section from another. Colonel PornT"! Cf £ such competitions would be hold annually or more frequently. The turn-out had been splendid, ana was a credit to the whole of the national Reserve movement. (Applauso.) Major Davis had intimated that lie intended offering a prize for a platoon competition later on. He then.pre6ented the_ flag to the winners, amidst applause, intimating that they should be very proud • indeed. Cheers were given for tlie _ winners," and tliey responded by giving cheers for the rest of the sections. After the ceremony, Colonel Porter assembled the non-commissioned officers and congratultcd them on. the manner m which the.v had given the words of command and had moved their companies. Ho also intimated to tliem that he intended to have their names plnccd on tho drill instructors' list. Tho Commandant of tho National Reserve (Colonel Porter) wishes to thank tho executive of tho Patriotic Society on behalf of tho Reserve, for their interest in making such a success of the competition, and particularly Messrs. J.'Lewis, E. J. Colley, and Major Wells (viio are also members of tlie'Reserve) for their services. '