CAMPS AND THE MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2789, 6 June 1916, Page 6

CAMPS AND THE MEN

"FOURTEENTH" IN THE FIELD GENERAL ITEMS The Fourteenth Reinforcements, which have been iii training, at Featherston for the past six weeks, havo practically com : pleted their period of training there, and will march over the Rimutakas on Thursday. Following the practice adopted in connection with previous Reinforcements, the Fourteenth engaged in night operations on Friday night, the work entailing night marching and outpost work. The troops were divided into three detachments, and established outposts at Papawai, Morrison's Bush, and the junction of the Tauherenikau and Greytown roads. Tho night was cold and the ground rather wet after the heavy rain of the previous days. Successful manoeuvres wore carried out, ending with an attack by- two of tho forces upon the position held by the third. This concluded soon: after daybreak, and the troops marched back to camp. Cheering the Newcomers. It is the custom in the camps, when drafts of recruits como in after parade hours, for the seasoned veterans of one month's service to crowd round and cheer and chaff 'the new men. A favourite greeting is: "Are you downhearted ?" To which tho reoruits bravely roar: . "No!" The recruits are quite able to hold their own in the repartee which always takes place. "They're a hungry-looking lot of khaki boys," a recruit of the "Seventeenths" remarked. "What do they feed 'em on?" At which the recruits, in chorus, cried: "Stew, Army stew, ooii! ooli!" Usually a number of eacli draft are excited, owing to various causes, and theso men always rise 'to any bait, in the way of chaff, which the soldiers offer. "Can't that fellow march!"- said a soldier, indicating a lanky youth, who had liis luggage : in a biscuit tin. Tho youth stiffened, unsteadily, aiui glanced covertly to see if ho was being watched and admired. ■ At that moment the squad halted suddenly, and the biscuit box was dropped in the ensuing collision. The lid flew open, and tho recruit's luggage was scattered. A tooth brush, a corkscrew, a piece of cooked ham, socks, and a pair of slippers were uppermost in-the scatter. They, were hastily scooped into the tin again, while the audience roared at their assortment. A particularly interesting recruit of the excited' kind was a slim young man who insisted on greeting everyone as an old friend, while he exclaimed: . "Well, boys, about this war; it's over now, practically over." "How's that?" "Well, I'm here. What moro do you want?" After the recruits receive their issue .of uniform, they don certain portions of it, such as boots and sweaters,, and saunter about the camp. They appear perfectly at home in their motley of civilian and soldier garb, for on their first evening they may do as they pleafo in the matter. of dress, as long as they wear some part of the khaki. Ono of tho "Seventeenths," who was seen inspecting the canteen, was wearing his khaki uniform and a brilliant green fisherman's cap. He puffed away at his pipe, with hands in pockets, and stared at everything, heedless of any who stared at him. Promotions in the Ranks, The following temporary appointments havo been approved by the Camp Commandant at Featherslon:—Dvr. B. A'v. Morse, 16th, N.Z.A..5.C., to be wheeler; Dvr. A. L. Frewen, 16th, N.Z.A.S.C., to be farrier; Dvr. M. O'Loughlin, 16th N..A.5.C., to be lance-corporal; Dvr. 11. N. Lysriar, 16th, N.Z.A.S.C., to be corporal ; Dvr. F. Crothall, 15th, N.Z.A.S.C., to be lance-corporal. At Trenthani, Pte. AY. B. .Tarden, New ZeaiaM Dental Corps, has been temporarily appointed corporal.