UNDER CANVAS!

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 3

UNDER CANVAS!

IST BATTALION, OTAGO REGIMENT HAPPY. THOUGH DAMP The Ist Battalion, Otago Regiment, which went, into camp at Matarac on Thursday last, is undergoing strenuous training. The men ot whom thoie aio about 900 of all ranks in camp, arc lor tho most part enjoying the open-air life, and the general health ul the trainees appears to have benefited already. Lieutenant-colonel H. E. Barron - elongh, D. 5.0., M,C., is the officer commanding, with Major Falconer, D.8.U., M C as his second in command, anr both these officers take a keen personal interest in the comfort ef their men. As is usual where there is any large number of people gathered together, there arc some who hud fault with too food and other necessaries, but Major P. MTvenzic is too efficient a quartermaster to leave any grounds for genuine complaint. Captain S. M. Satterthwaitc, N.Z.S.C., is the adjutant, while S.S.M. (W.O. 1) J. Cummings, N.Z.P..5., is tho regimental sergeantmajor’ and is regarded by all as the “father of the regiment.’’ Tho spiritual side of the men’s lives is looked after by padres of Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman' Catholic, and Salvation Army denominations, while a representative ol the WM.C.A. arranges entertainments and recreations to till the leisure time.

The routine is not a heavy one. Reveille is at 6 a.m., and till breakfast an hour later the men clean up their tents ami equipment. Battalion parade is called at 8.30, and till noon the battalion Is engaged in field exorcises. Lunch is served at 12,30 p.nf., and work is resumed ngain nfc 2 p-iu., nud tue parade is dismissed again at 5 p.m. Dinner is given at 6 pun., the officers mess is called at G. 45, and ( Lights out” is sounded at 10.45. A guard consisting of one sergeant, one corporal, and six men is mounted daily, and sentries are placed over the gatoj. and the cookhouse. ’Phis is a duty that is eagerly sought after, and there, is usually a good deal of competition amongst the men for the guard. On arrival at the camp lunch was at once served, and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in allotting tho men their tents and drawing blankets and paliasses from the stores and getting the tent lines into order. A start was made on Friday morning at platoon drill, and continued in the afternoon with exercises in the use of ground and natural cover and the employment of scouts in covering an advance. From there the syllabus gradually works up to a tactical scheme in which the wliolo battalion wil take part. Sunday was an a off ” day, a church parade in the morning being the only duty. At the conclusion of the service Mr A. M'Cutchon, vice-president ot the Returned Soldiers’ Association, presented to Lieutenant-colonel Barrowclou gb a shield which, he said, his association had decided to present to the regiment for annual competition in an endeavor to stimulate interest in the general efficiency of the unit. He urged those at present in the regiment to remember and uphold the traditions which were exemplified by the exploits of Sergeant R. Travis, V.C., and Sergeant Brown in the World War. These remarks were heartily endorsed by Mr E. Anderson, a member of the executive of the association. Colonel Barrowclough then said a few words of thanks to i the speakers for their practical interest in the regiment. He felt sure that the men would do their best

to live up to the best traditions of the Ist Battalion, Qiago Regiment. In the afternoon the camp was thrown open to visitors, and several parties took the opportunity of seeing for themselves the interior organisation of a largo camp, but owing to the inclement state of the weather there were not so main 7 as was anticipated. Up till Sunday the weather was changeable, hot, sunny days altcin.iting with sharp, cold spells, with more than a suspicion of rain in the black clomls that wore brought over by the southerly wind. Early on Sunday morning rain set in and continued in showers all day. Tho battalion comes out ol camp on Thursday, and it is the desire of the company commander to arrive in Dunedin slightly before noon and march through town as_a fitting conclusion to the week's training.