OUR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 343, 18 February 1902, Page 3

OUR SOLDIERS.

THD'PAPAPA CAMP. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last mght. The drilling of recruits is proceeding energetically in the camp of the Ninth Contingent. Foot and mounted drill is held every day, the various squads making excellent progress. Musaetry instruction with the Lee-Enfield rifle ic also held. Captain O’Brien, the camp commandant, deserves great credit for the excellent state of jae encampment. Everything is carried out according to a well-organised system, and there is an entire absence of confusion.

Captain C. Bockett, of the Opotiki Mounted Rifles, has reported for duty to the camp commandant. Captain Bockett has been granted a commission as captain in the Ninth Contingent. He is an old mounted volunteer. The men in camp are well looked after in the matter of food. Originally it- was 'intended that the North Island battalion should be despatched from Auckland at about the beginning of March, but as some difficulty is being experienced in obtaining material for the manufacture of equipments for the men and horses, it seems more than probable that the departure will be delayed till about the middle of March. . Sir Joseph Ward paid a visit of inspection lo the camp. He considered that the men are a line body of soldiers, while the situation of the camp is excellent, and the arrangements very good. Indeed, Sir Joseph has had first-class reports as to the working of the whole encampment,