THE ROUTE MARCH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2876, 14 September 1916, Page 6

THE ROUTE MARCH

SEVENTEENTHS A r ERY KEEN.

A high wind and driving rain which prevailed in the Upper Hutt Valley yesterday did not promise well for the field operations and route march of the Seventeenth Infantry Rcinforcenients which is to begin to-day and terminate on Saturday afternoon, when the troops will march into Featherston Camp. Most of the troops spent yesterday in their hutments, while others wore paraded to have shortages, which had occurred in their equipment, mado up. There was a lightheadedness about tho men, in spito of the weather, and the reason for this was that they were at last to be given an opportunity for undertaking tho big march which has become the standard test of fitness ainco tho Seventh Reinforcements pioneered tho mountain march. The fact that the Seventeenths are to make 'the inarch in tho reverse direction was regarded as 'giving additional interest to the outing. A few u.c.o.'s and men who had, for various reasons, to remain behind or go with tho baggage guard, showed keen disappointment. The weather conditions will probably affect the plans of the manoeuvres and tho march, but if these are sufficiently favourable the Seventeenths will move lout of Treatham at 1.30 p.m. to-day.