THE TERRITORIALS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 March 1917, Page 3

THE TERRITORIALS.

THURSDAY last, 9th inst., was a gala day for the 15th (N.A.) Regiment, who had just completed their annual training in Helensv\lle. As will be remembered, very bad weather set in during the first part of the encampment, necessitating the boys being removed to dry quarters in the different halls in the township, till the grounds were, in a somewhat drier condition. After that, however, Mr Elliott's paddock was a scene of activity, with about 500 men camped thereon, and real hard work was the order the day for two weeks. SPORTS M^fo follow up the old adage, ':™3ll work and no play," etc., a fitting programme of sports was drawn up, and the races and games were entered into with zest by one "and all. The afternoon was observed as a holiday by the business people, who took advantage of the fine day to attend in large numbers. The ..Regimental Band played some "fine..selections, adding greatly to the afternoon's enjoyment. >, ";:-,...,... CONCERT.. In the evening a huge camp fire was lighted, and the. men gave a splendid entertainment to a big audience, creating roars of laughter, with various musical items, songs, recitatons, hakas, etc. The Maoris were especially good and were recalled time after time. The event will long be remembered by the Helensville people, and one and all were sorry when at about 10 p.m. the singing of the National Anthem and hearty cheers all round brought it to a conclusion. BANQUET The officers held a mess dinner in their spacious marquee at 8 p.m., to which a number of townspeople were invited, and the repast was a dainty and "appetising one. The menu was as follows : Soup; entrees —steak and kidney pie, cutlets ; jointsroast beef and Yorkshire pudding, lamb and mint sauce, corned beef and carrots ; vegetables—baked and -boiled potatoes, cabbage, vegetable marrow and sauce; sweets — plum pudding and almond sauce, apple pie and whipped cream,, sponge trifle, lemon custard ; savory—cheese straws ; tea and coffee. After the toast of " The King " had been duly honoured, Q.M.S. Fosbroke proposed '* The Army and Navy," Major Turley responding. ' Lieut; Tichner proposed "Our Ouests," and Mr Stiinger re- . sponed.

Mr E. T. Field proposed "-Lieut.-Colonel Steadman and Officers of the 15th (N-A-) Regiment."

In responding, the Colonel spoke in feeling terms of the kindness shown by the people of Helensville. With regard to the nien under his command, the speaker said they had .given him loyal support in every way during the training, and he was very pleased with the way in which they:had conducted themselves throughout. He concluded by saying that not one man had been placed upon the charge sheet, which was very ere ditable indeed.

'"' Mr A. J. Hill proposed " The Allies," and Lieut. McDowell responded. The latter gentleman is a returned officer from the irqiyt;, ■ and he described in a very |qucn;in,g' m,an,ne.r the good work perfqrrned by c Allies, and the Wtiful scenes "he had witnessed at the landing at Grallip.oli. 11 pgj,ptajn Br.octer. proposed "The Lop'al.'Bodies,'' a^d Mr Lambert (^hair.ma.r\ of tfie Town Bqard) respondid, Mr T. Elliott proposed ' The Agricultural and Pastoral Association," and Mr H. Aitkenhead responded. :*< Crump, N.Z.M.C., proa^pbsed " The Citizens of Helensville," and Mr Jas. Stewart responded. ■ '•'•■■■ Chaplain-Capt. Kempton proposed " Qur Boys at the F,,ront," |ijd .Ch^ai^C^t. Johnson r.e- ---* Lieut. Grant proposed The Ladies," and Lieut. McCallum responded. 5 PRESENTATION Lieut.-Colonel Steadman then had a few words to say before making a little, well-deserved presentation. Bis Begipfient had e'omd tb 'Helensville^ to Undergo a cb'urse of training, and this * ' tt'ad been successfully carried out on My Elliott's "property. They were ; very grateful 'to Mr ~£}lliott mx so v genei-pfelj lending his padctocks, a.nd hadmuch' pleasure r^pr'es^ntiTi^ hiiTJ wj'th % (jladgtor, f?a^, m&' Miis IHIoU withj asi [verftsk gepyige in a handsome oase. Mr Elliott feelingly replied, thanking them for the presentations. He had taken an interest in military matters since he was 18, and it it had been a pleasure to lend his grounds, The toast cf ■ • T.he P ; ress ;• conp|{jded a very pleasant evening.