REVIEW OF TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2540, 14 August 1915, Page 6

REVIEW OF TROOPS

j SIXTH REINFORCEMENTS • INSPECTION BY THE GOVERNOR FINE BODY OF SOLDIERS The Sixth Reinforcements, who hare now completed their training prior to leaving New Zealand on active service, wero inspected by His Excellency the Governor at Trentham Camp yesterdaj afternoon. Accompanying His Excellency were the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen), tlio Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward), Briga-dier-General Robin (Acting-Comman-dant), and Colonel C. Si. Gibbon (Chief of the General Staff). Other officers of tlio inspecting party were Colonel Potter (Camp Commandant), Major C. R. Macdonald, Captain Dovey (damp Adjutant). The troops made an imposing spectacle drawn up in review order for inspection, and later, as they marolied past in cohimn of route, the spectators, of whom- there were soveral hundreds present, had the best possible opportunity of observing tlio fine physiquo and •soldierly bearing of the men. They looked a splendid body of thoroughly fit fighting men. After the march past the troops wero formed up in hollow sqna.ro, and a shoit religious service was held by Captain Chaplain T. G. Chapman, Major Chaplain" AV. Shirer, and • the Bishop of Wellington (the Right Rev. Dr. Sprott). Later, His Excellency addressed the officers in tho Lecture Hall, "A COOD, SPORTING LOT." PRAISE FROM DEFENCE MINISTER. "I am very pleased indeed with the Sixth Reinforcements," 'said tho Defence Minister yesterday, after his visit to Trent])am, "The Mounted Infantry of the Sixth have had their difficulties owing ,to various shifts of camp, and they have not had the same chance as tho other mounted men who have gone. Also their numbers have had to be supplemented by men- who have come into camp later. These men will finish their training in Egypt, relieving tho men who are now looking after the horses there. My opinion of the Sixth is that they are a real good, sporting lot. They have had the winter to contend with, they have' been in Trentham through all tho camp troubles, and they have had less sickness among them than any of tho others. They have played the game always, without a grumble, even when things were at the worst. They biive the real soldier spirit,' and I don't care where you place those men, howover adverse the circumstances, tliey will play the game. I look for good ivori; from tho Sixth wherever they go. and I am quite sure they will uphold t!io standard we "have set, or even improve upon it. I should be very proud to be going with thenu • ' Good Ships. "As for their.transports, I think they have two of the best transports we havo got. The Tofua has been turned into an excellent troopship, and tlio • accommodation for tho men is vary good, with plenty of air space, as far as I can judge. The hospital arrangements aro very good indeed. They have a general'hospital for 32 men, and an isolation hospital for 24. Jloth transports carry a permanent quartermaster, who will come back hero with them, and these ciuartermasters will lio hold responsible for- all stores 1 . .They «re taking a quantity of extra, clothing, overcoats, boots, pyjamas,' and that sort of thing, for sick and wounded men returning who may be short of clo'.hef. On the Tofua a capital exercise deck lias been constructed, and it; should give the men a good opportunity to keep well and fit. I think the Transport Board deserves tho thanks of the country for the care they have taken. Health of the Men. "Every possible precaution has been taken', to see that all the men who go on hoard are well. No sick paraded yesterday. All the men's clothes ancl bedding havo been. disinfected, and I think everything possible has been'done to send the men away in a satisfactory condition. There is a good staff of medical officers, all men who have had experience in camp, and who will be prepared to meet any contingency. Nine medical officers are going, three Ceing oxtra officers -sent at the tfiquesfc -of the Medical Authority in Egypt to fill up the wastage in tho ranks of the medical men there. Three nurses are going in each transport, in order that they may look after wounded qnd sick men returning, or relieve other nurses who may bring out wounded." MR. MASSEY'S OPINIONS. The Prime Minister also made some references to'the "Sixth." "They seem to be in perfect health and very fit," lie said, "quite equal, I think, to the men who have gone in previous drafts. The infantry havo been in Trentham all tho time, but the. mounted men have been in Wairarapa for tho last few weeks. Although nominally mounted men, they are going as infantry, for we have been notified by the Imperial authorities that no more horses are required at present. As a consequence no moro horses are being bought now, but we_ are keeping a number in camp for training purposes. It is quite likely that we shall not require any more saddle horses, but a number of 'heavier horses for tho artillery will probably be'Tequirod from time to time." .