THE FOXTON ENCAMPMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1049, 28 May 1912, Page 3

THE FOXTON ENCAMPMENT.

On Sunday hundreds of people visited the camp at the racecourse aud inspected the lines. Great interest was manifested in all that was to be seen. Visitors received the utmost courtesy from the officers and men.

The religious services were held during the afternoon, one at the Park entrance to the grounds, conducted by the Anglicans, and the other combined Presbyterian and Methodist, opposite the grandstand. The Rev Innes - Jones, Anglican chaplain, conducted the lormer service, aud the Rev Mr Coatsworth (.Methodist) aud the Rev J. xVL. Thomson m.a., (Presbyterian chaplain) the latter. Special hymns were sung at both services. Miss Jeuks presided at the piano and Mrs Wrigley at the harmonium, while the singing was led by Messrs Betty (Anglican) and Wrigley (Presbyterian). Both addresses were appropriate and were listened to with close attention.

Major Young, chief veterinary officer, gave the men some valuable information respecting the proper treatment of their mounts and the “right” and “wrong” horses to bring to an encampment.

It was the intention of his Excellency the Governor to pay a visit to the camp on Wednesday while en route to Wellington but this arrangement has now been cancelled, while the contemplated visit by General Godley has been abandoned on account of the accident met with by him while in the South Island recently. Everything is going smoothly at the camp to-day, and the men are in excellent health and spirits. Their only regret is that training ceases and camp breaks up on Thursday morning. The sports programme for tomorrow afternoon includes :—Best turned-out four ; foot races, Hag and potato race, Eloyd-Eiudsay competition, jumping competition for officers, sack race, tug-o’-war on foot and horse-back, wrestling on horse-back, three-legged race, V.C. race, tilting at ring lor officers, and night alarm. Eieut. Sommerville is the officer in charge to-day. Camp will be struck on Thursday morning.

The Rev G. Budd, one of the chaplains at the camp, speaking at the Presbyterian Church at Feilding on Sunday, said he had been greatly impressed wiih the camp. He had no tolerance with those who opposed these camps. He was sure those under canvas would be better men and of more value to the nation as a result ot the disciplinary methods they were subjected to than those who had never been in camp. There was nothing degrading about the business. Profitable instruction was given and everything tended to maintain a high moral standard.. Excellent work was being done by the Presbyterian Church and the C.E.M. Society in attending to the social entertainment of the men.