TAHERENIKAU CAMP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2626, 23 November 1915, Page 9

TAHERENIKAU CAMP

A HARVEST FOR TAXI-OABS. . Tho military camp now in use at Tauherenikau is a temporary one } and it is situated 011 the main road midway between Featherston and Greytown, the distaiico from either of these places being about 4} miles. • Passenger communication between Featherston' and tho camp is by taxi-cab, the fare boing 6s. each way. If two passengers are carried the trip it costs them 3s. each, and if there are three passengers it is 2s. each. This is tho lowest individual fare, and if, as often happens, there are six passengers the taxi earns 12s. for a trip which occupies about 12 minutes.

"A'bob a minute," one soldier remarked "It's too strong." The new camp that is being built is only two miles from Feathbrston, and there is a railway siding run down to it. A passenger remarked to a taxidriver that this would spoil his business. His reply was: "Oh, no. It will he better for ; not so far to run."

On Sundays, when ,the camp is open to visitors, many Featherston and Greytown, residents travel by the taxis; it,is stated that last Sunday there were 36 taxis plying to and from the camp. It a soldier wishes to spend an evening in Featherston ho knows it will cost him 4s. for taxi fares before ho begins, and to come to Wellington means an extraIs. 6d. train fare, ss. 6d. in all. Yesterday morning the camp ground, which is of shingle, mixed with soil, was almost dry, the keen southerly wind having played its part in the drying process. Originally the tents were grouped in a close formation. Since it was found necessary to change the tents to fresh ground, the camp now consists of a clear area of ground, with the tents, marquees,' stores, and cookhouses all round it. The headquarters offices are prettily situated in the "shelter of some high manuka, and l facing the open square on which still remain the whitened stones which formerly were the ornamentations outside the tents.

Features of the camp are the bands. There are three—a brass band, a bugle band, and a trumpet band. All are under the baton of Bandmaster A. J. Wicks. The bandsmen are drawn chiefly from the ranks of the Ninth Reinforcements, now encamped there, only six of them being permanent men in camp. The strength of the brass band is 25. Every afternoon, except Saturday and Sunday, a practice is held from 1.30 till 4 o'clock, when the band goes out to the parade ground and plays the troops in at tho evening assembly. The bugle band and the, trumpet band p!aj tho retreat at 5.30. Considering the"short time that the men lmvo been together they play well. Yosterday at tho practice of the brass band tho following items were very creditably played: —"The Golden Mill," '"-Tho Durhams," "Dixie Girl," "Artillery,' selections from "Hearts and Flowers, ineluding the portion with the irregular rhythm, and "Melbourne, by Night. Bandsmen will bo ablo to gauge from theso tho capabilities of tho Tauherenikau Camp Brass Band It has become famous in the district, and frequently plays at public gatherings. The Tauherenikau Racing Club has secured its services for the January meeting. At camp fire socials, one of which is to be, held to-movro'w night, tho band is a. big attraction to Featherston and Greytown people, who rally in considerable numbers.