CAMP GOSSIP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2632, 30 November 1915, Page 8

CAMP GOSSIP

ETIQUETTE OF "PINCHING"

WORKMEN'S GIFT TO SOLDIERS

When tlio new military camp at Featberston is occupied by soldiers thoy will find a, piano already installed. This instrument will be a gift from the workmen who are nor engaged in building the camp. With one thousand men in' camp it was found necessary to provide some form of eveuing entertainment. A subscription was taken up, and the price of a piano was quickly raised, the donors deciding that when they were finished with it the soldiers should have it. To this end the Camp Commandant at Tauherenikau, Colonel N. P.. Adams, and the assistant engineer in charge at Featheraton camp, Mr. A. Tyndall, wero appointed trustees. At present the piano is in one of the dining halls which is not yet in use. A temporary stage has been' built and forms to seat 500 men provided. Concerts are of frequent occurrence, and the amount of talent among the men is said; to be remarkable. On several occasions they have given concerts in Feathers ton for charitable purposes, and, like the Taulierenikau Camp Band, they are in constant request at other musical gatherings. The Real Reason. "Yes, they give us two of everything when we go into camp," the soldier was saying. ' 'Socks, boots, underclothing, shirts, and) all that, and that's all right. But it's when you begin to lose 'em that the trouble begins. Yes, lose 'em I You know, they walk away with some other fellow- So you've got to 'pinch' some more. The question is where to ■try first, and that's where the hardship comes in. A fellow's supposed to lift from fellows in another battalion first. If he can't mako ado of it, then he tries another company in his own battalion; after that, another platoon, thon another tent, and as a last resort, he pinches from his tent-mates." "I suppose," said filie civilian, "it's a senso of esprit de corps that makes you sorry to take your tent-mate's things?" "No fear," the soldier replied. "It's because it's a dead cert, that you'll be found out."

Trenches at Trentham. A source of keen interest on the part of visitors to Trentham Camp is the trench work" which has been done by the engineers from time to time. These are Bituated at the far end of the artillery grounds near the hills, and they consist of trenches, communication trenches, dug-outs, and gun-pits. Some, very neat basket-work made of thick, tough brush, is used to bind the earth together, then steps and seats are added to the internal fittings of the dugouts. Another work is a bombproof shelter, the top being rounded off in a dome shape. Entrance to it is by a number, or earthen .steps. This was a popular ;place among'.the visitors, perhaps because it' to enter. The ; trenches proper have only one entrance, often a long,way away. It was quiteeasy for ladies , to. enter t'he trenches at other, places, but it was not so easy to get out, though , more than one gallant solved the problem by lifting his lady fair back to ground level. Wire entanglements and others made of sharpened stakes and wire, sent a thrill through the imaginative civilian' who had read much of these things, but had never seen them before. .. A chat about recruiting! Nearly everyone is in search of appropriate gifts for the Boys about .to leave for .the front, visit PojfiJS lar Jewellery Store, Manners Street, will at once solve the problem of what to give. There you will find hosts of practical and •appreciative gifts at prices within reach of the most .economical. A visit to-day will be time well, spent.—Advt.