UNDER CANVAS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1926, Page 4

UNDER CANVAS

CADETS AT BURNHAM,

CHRISTCHURCH, February 3.

Three hundred officers and noncommissioned officers of the night cadet parading units of the South Island are at present undergoing an instructional course at Burnham. Tho camp commenced on Saturday night and will continue until next Saturday. The course is designed to provide a high standard of efficiency for officers and n.c.o.’s and already tho progress that has been made is noticeable. All ranks are taking to their work with keenness. • Yesterday the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, Major-General R. Young, made his inspection of the camp. He was accompanied by Colonel Commandant M. M. Gardner, O.C. Southern Command. On arrival the General was met by Colonel N. W. TL B. Thoms, camp commandant, and Captain E. G. Brown, adjutant.

After a thorough inspection of the camp and its surroundings the battalion, under the command of Captain D. IF. M’Hugh. marched pant, the General taking the salute. The hand of the Fourth Cadet Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment led the march, and it was followed by Headquarters Wing under the command of Lieutenant G. Burns, A, Company, under the command of Lieutenant 11. S. Beaumont, and B. Company, under Major A. If. Wright. In the camp a strict routine is followed, Reveille being at fi a.m. and Lights Out at 9.30. The parades take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and in addition io these special instructional classes are held before and after dinner. Entertainment in tho way of concerts, is provided every night in the Y.M.C.A. hall, the talent being drawn from those under canvas. The concerts are arranged by the Y.M.C.A. officer, Mr J. "Wilson, tho camp chaplains, the Revs F. T. Road and G. F. Petrie. The hand, which devotes most of the day to practice, commences its duties before Reveille, when it inarches down the lines, playing lively airs. Its next appearance is at Lights Out, when the Hag is hoisted and the chaplains offer up prayers.

The commissariat department is the one which find most favour with the hoys, and so far no complaints have been heard. Everyone receives a large issue of wholesome food, and the cadets arc thriving upon it. They receive the same food as tho officers, and there is always plenty of fruit on the tables. A source of great interest to many of the lads is the mounting and dismounting of the guard. The. full ceremonial is gone through and the sentries are posted. Service conditions are adhered in. and the guard wear the steel helmets and carry their packs.