'SIXTEENTH'S,' RECORD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2843, 7 August 1916, Page 6

'SIXTEENTH'S,' RECORD

FEATiIERSTON TO TRENTHAM

ALL THE WAY IN A DAY

A TRYING MARCH

The march of -the Sixteenth Reinforcements from Feutherston to Trentham, which had been postponed from last Thursday, owing to bad weather, was accomplished yesterday, the troops 'being transferred from camp to camp in one days, instead of going through the usual three days' march and field operations. Of the nine companies in the draft, five, D, E, F, G, H. Companies marched as far a.s Kaitoke. The others, A, B, C, and J Companies marched all the way to Trentham, the total distance being 27. miles. This was tho first time that this had been done, ajid it was at the special request of the men of these companies that the longer march was carried out in one day.

In the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Jlacdonald, Chief Infantry Instructor, who is on the sick list, the troops w;ere in charge jjf Major Swcetzer,- Assistant Infantry Instructor A start was made from Featherston Camp at 6 o'clock yesterday morning, the weather dull but fine. The usual order of maraii was followed, and at Featherston the little bootmaker, mascot of the Fifteenths, joined tho column, and marched all tho way to Trentham. The mascot of the Sixteenths, a wolfhound, accompanied the. troops, 'l'horc was no rain until Hearing Trentham Camp, though the roads were rather sloppy. Good time was made to The Summit and ICaitoke. At both places a halt was made.

Train arrangements had been made to carry all the companies to Trentham from Kaitoke. But A, B, C, and J Companies were so keen to go on by road, that permission was given for them to do so. It was >a .gruelluig test. Two soldiers found it'too severe for them, after the trying march earlier in tho day. Trentham was reacted'at 4.30, and a rousing welcome was given tlio men. by soldiers in camp and tho-\hundreds of civilians who were visiting the camp. Colonel Gibbon, Chief - of the General Staff, and Lieutenant-Colonel H. It. Potter, Camp Commandant, rode out to meet the incoming companies, and to see how their rigorous march had affected them. The men marched in in fine style, and it may be added that the Sixteenths are regarded .as being the strongest draft that has yet crossed the hill. After boing mcdically inspected, the troops that had come all the way by road and those who had finished the journey by vail, were taken to their quarters. This afternoon they will begin their advanced musketry course, which will be followed by the usual training in trench warfaro and other advanced soldiers' work. ■ *