A GOOD “BARKER.”

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1932, Page 6

A GOOD “BARKER.”

LATE “ BLAZER ” WILSON

OLD SOLDIER’S IDIOSYNCRACIES

The death of Captain “ Blazer ” Wilson, who was instructor in equitation at Feat hers ton Military Camp • during the- war- -has recalled (to many who underwent training at that centre, stories, both amusing and otherwise, 'of . the. old softdier’s idionsyar, cracies. ! A Wanganui man. >vas .once, sergeant of the guard at Feiitherston when the sentry espied' what he thought to he a battery of field guns approaching with “Blazer” at t e‘r head. Such an. event demanded that the guard should “turn aut and salute. Faithful to his instructions the sentry bawled: “Turn out the Guard.’ The guard turned out and '“Blazer” seeing them, dropoed barb from his place at the head of the column and rode in rear. When the * vehicles had thundered past “Blazer’s” voice rose high above the din of wheels, a lurid adjective spacing each word. “Take that guard inside and put it sleep with a hot-water bottle and a pair of field gl rapes. These are not guns. They’re - ammunit'on waggons. You’re not—Sergeant’s bootlace.” The guard “turned in’” with “Blazer’s” wrath tingling ,their ears,, but it was typical of the mail that nothing further, came pf the uncid'ent. He was a good barker, but very rarely (reported hiS" barks: to headquarters ■ . .. ; •