WITH THE COLORS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1918, Page 4

WITH THE COLORS.

By Chas. R. H. Parliam, 37th Reinforcements.)

(Continued.)! Sling Camp, August 3rd. —I have just been shooting, and while waiting to shcot again, I am lying on the springy turf, and using the butt of my rifle as a writing desk. Just a moment ago, nine great il Hanley Page ” biplanes flew low over us. They made a terrible roaring sound, like a flooded river or a big waterfall. They say that each of machines can carry five men, and* about two tons ot bombs. These machines are just like dragon-flies. ( their tails turn up exacts like those of the insect, and their wings are all up near their head. Now, as I write, another eight aeroplanesare actually flying past. Sometimes they fly over us at night, and then they wake some of us up with their noise. A little while back; there were lots ot “ May flies ” or “June bugs ” as some call them (Ephemeridae) all about These are large, flying insects with gaily coloured wings and long leelers. Now a few drops of rain are falling. I have heard that it has been extremely cold in New Zealand, so I’m afraid the garden and plants will have suffered. I suppose it is true that there was a heavy fall of snow in Christchurch some time in July ? August 10th, in the “Bull Ring.’’ —As usual, lam finding many difficulties in my way when I try to write letters. All my spare time almost is taken up with the different classes which I attend. This afternoon (Saturday) there are sports in progress. The C.O. had ordered all men not engaged in the different

competitions to be on the field. Where there is a will, there is a way, however. I brought some paper with me and am tying in some long grass, near a ‘patch of spuds,’ writing, or at all events, trying to. There was a kit inspection this morning. They were very strict and tried to catch 11s unawares and confiscate all ‘civvy’ or ‘private gear-’ I got wind of this project and prepared for the catastrophe. I can see I will have to leave a lot of stuff with friends, when I go to France. I expect that I will find I have quite enough to carry about as it is. I don’t expect you realise that we leave our kit-bags in England, and carry all we need in our valises, on our backs. While on the subject of France, I want to tell 3am that I believe that it will be a long while before we cross the Channel. There are large reserves, over in France, of New Zealand troops. Besides this, there are a big crowd of us here in Sling. The camp is fuller than it has been for a long time. You will thus perceive that there is a large number of men. ahead of us, who will supply fresh troops for the New Zealand firing line. So we can't be wanted for a considerable time to come, even after we are trained. lam gettingon fine here in ever)’ waj’, and I hope that an earlier letter did not make ) ? ou anxious on account of my health. lam well now. Ail the ‘‘Coasters” who went with me are well also, and seem rather to like military life. Dale is on light duty. Shannon, Baltrops, Alf Martyn, and others are well. The da\- is ver)’ warm, and I am very hot, lying out in the sun. There are many different and very pretty little, wild flowers growing near. I am hoping to get as far as Alverdiston some time, but as week-end leave is not granted, except in ven special circumstances (either to officers or men) I will find it difficult to get there. I am keen on going to Dartmoor (Devon) when I get draft leave; and in lact to a score of other parts of the country. The weather continues very warm and the crops of wheat and oats are looking very fine. They are liar vesting in main’ ot the fields. Went for another long route march on Thursday. We passed through Bui ford, Durrington, Netheravon and Figheldean (as well as the huge R.F.C. Camp at Figheldean). We halted for lunch at Netheravon, on the right bank of the Avon. There was a low bank or terrace, on which grew a small wood or plantation. This gave us plent3 r of shade. Most of us went into the river for a swim, and this was very refreshing, for the day was hot and we were carrying full packs. The old villages and cottages we passed on our way were ver)’ charming. The flowers along the walls took 1113’ fauc3’. There was nothing in the shape of a fence between them and the road. I took especial notice of one old house in Figheldean, on account of the old oak framework between which, the wall is composed of flint stones, cemented together ; and another old cottage or house I saw bore the date 1664 above the door. lam delighted with these country places, and espeeialty liked the careful way some of the farms were cultivated

War news continues good. Things generally seem to be getting better. It is now felt that victory is assured. The ‘ tucker ’ is now much more plentiful and is very good ; meat, margarine, instead of dripping ; and yesterday the pie-crust of the “camp pies’’ was made of white flour. Orders too are coming out. allowing the use of “strides.” We i now can wear ‘ shorts.’ Previously ! we have had always to wear “slacks with putties.” We have now to make out “ Demobilisation Cards,” saying where we wish to disembark in New Zealand. Things look hopeful, don’t they ? Of course this is only done to keep ahead of time. It is a far-sighted preparation to deal with the question of employing returned soldiers.

i The Amesbnry postman lias kindly told me a lot of interesting things about some of the old buildings in the neighbourhood. He asked questions too of the real old fashioned folk, to get them to talk to me. There is one very curious structure close to Countess Bridge, and another .of just the same kind of architecture a little further on, bearing the date 1607. The walls of these towers are loop-holed and are very strong looking. The postman kindly took me with him through a little gate in the old wall, and got the woman ("caretaker) who lived there to tell me something about the old house. They talked together in a sort of dialect. However, t practically understood all j

1 • * they said, and gathered that the place is known as De Hourna (De Hora) House, and that some people j think it is so called in connection j with the old sundial in the tower. 1 A fine old staircase of oak leads up to the top of the tower, which is a j legular stronghold. A batch of old j soldiers left camp yesterday to go harvesting. Guess I’d rather like to be with them. The weather is pretty warm, and we are looking forward to getting our draft leave in about three weeks. Went for another route march on Friday with full packs on. I soaped s my splendid, thick, home-made socks, and so didn’t get blistered feet like man)’ others did. We went first tol'idworth, coming back by the northerly road. Had dinner in camp, then started west for Amesbury aerodrome, turned north and went through Amesbury and Bulford. You will be pleased to hear I expect, that I have won my marksman’s badge. We were fortunate in having a dull day for this march, for it is hot work with a full pack in the sun. It may amuse you to hear that we march in threes, like nuns (Jesuits), instead of in fours. They say this is to allow columns of troops to pass on the narrow roads in France. We inarched along a main road, and three anti-aircraft guns mounted on motor lorries passed us, on their wa3’ south. There is a very prettyavenue of old trees just beyond Amesbury; here we halted for ten minutes. The trees are part of the Abbey Park, belonging to Lord Antrobtis. He is also the owner, I am told, of the curious buildings near Countess Bridge I have mentioned. We went along the road to Stone henge, as far as the fork roadsThere we turned to the left towards Woodford. The scenery here is unspoilt by modern buildings. The toad is not asphalted, as is practicalty ever3 r other road. (The Military have made splendid dustless roads leading everywhere.) I much preferred walking 0.1 this kind of track. Many pretty cottages are all along this road. On the gable end of one of these was carved or sketched a rough drawing of two men watching a cock fight. Another cottage had a rough drawing of a farmer in a smock, holding a stick in one hand and his huge pipe in the other. We passed between some long yew hedges Their red berries looked very pretty. They looked nice and juicy too. This reminds me that there is a fine crop of elderberries and hawthorn berries in the hedges. An old building used as a barn,' interested me. It was on the opposite side of the road to the Lake hand-spinning place. The window and door lnd pointed ■ arches. There were round, stainedglass panes above the door, in the arch. The door itself looked extremety solid and was heavity reinforced with iron. Just beyond this was Lake House. This is a fine ; three-storey’d stone house. We marched in through a copse and halted in a meadow, down near the ' Avon. I went in for-a swim and ■ felt much refreshed by the cold ■ water. After lunch (bread and jam ; and water) I “rustled off” and had a . look at the weaving. 1 After lunch we went in single file down a narrow cow track be--1 tween high hedges down a hill to • the river; (there is a sharp bend • between this and where we had lunch). We crossed three bridges, passed mill sluices etc. and past the old mill to Great Durnford. This is a very quaint, and unspoilt vil--1 lage. Being so secluded, not many touring motors find their wa3’ there. I suspect this because of the roads. Here we branched off and made a bee line across the down to the Yank air corps camp. We had to cross several ancient ditches and passed close to lots of barrows tumuli). We then struck the road and crossed the militaiy raihva3 7 . Then home to camp. After this had three pleasant hours ot study to do at the classes. But before tea managed to get a good hot bath, which freshened me up greatty.— Kia Ora.