HIGH COMMENDATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 14

HIGH COMMENDATION

SPECIAL FORCE TROOPS LORD GALWAY’S PRAISE PAPAKURA TRAINEES (Pur Pruss Association.) AUCKLAND, litis day. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, arrived in Auckland by the Limited express yesterday. Later, accompanied by Captain Lord Dormer, he inspected soldiers in training at Papakura military camp, and in the afternoon, as the chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board, lie addressed members of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council and of the metropolitan executive at a meeting in the Town Hall.

To-day, as retiring Grand Master of the Grand Ledge ol' New Zealand, His Excellency will preside over the business sessions of the fiftieth annual communication of the lodge, and at night will install the incoming Grand Master.

His Excellency will visit Ngaruawahia military camp on Thursday morning and inspect soldiers in training and their quarters. He will later proceed to the Taupo fishing camp for several days’ trout fishing, and will return to Wellington on Wednesday of next week after a short visit to Hastings. Progress in Training

Showing fine steadiness on parade, soldiers of the 18th (Auckland) Battalion and the New Zealand Army Service Corps in camp at Papakura yesterday won high commendation from the Governor-General for their response to the Empire's call and for their progress in training. This was the first time Lord Galway had visited the camp and, in addition to inspecting the men, he took the opportunity to examine the buildings. His Excellency took up his position at the saluting base and took the salute from the parade in the march past. Later the soldiers marched into close order, and Lord Galway shortly adidressed them.

Empire Volunteers

“I wish to congratulate you,” he said, “on being some of the first volunteers in this Empire emergency which we have got to face. You have came into camp willingly to do your training, and I am delighted to hear such good reports of the progress you have made.

“I am sure you are as delighted as I am that one of New Zealand’s most famous heroes of the last war has been put in command of the overseas 'force. An officer with such a war record as .Major-General ‘B. C. Freylberg will be an inspiration to you all. and 1 am sure he will have the greatest confidence of all New Zealanders. Such an appointment must result in a great stimulus to recruiting, and I am sure many men will come forward for training in echelons that will follow you. I give you my most cordial good wishes and tell you how I, as Governor-General of New Zealand, deeply appreciate the way you have come forward as members of the first force to volunteer for overseas service."