CAMP OFFICERS ENTERTAINED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1050, 30 May 1912, Page 3

CAMP OFFICERS ENTERTAINED.

The stewards of the Foxton Racing Club entertained the officers of the Sixth Regiment Mounted Rifles at a dinner in Perreau’s rooms on Tuesday night. Mr W. E. Barber, vice-president of the club, occupied the chan and Colonel Chaytor, 0.C.D., was seated on his right and Colonel Russell, commander of the Rifle Brigade, occupied a seat on the left. Dr. Mandl occupied the vicechair. Included among the officers present were ; Colonel Pringle, Major Meldrura. Brigade MajorCaptain Whyte, Adjutant Captain Powles, Captain Trask, Captain Palmer, Captain Ashworth, Lieuts. Sommeryille, Smith and others. After justice had been done to the good things provided by host Perreau, the following toasts were honoured : “The King,” proposed by the Chairman and followed by the singing of the National Anthem. In proposing the toast of the “Territorial Army” Dr. Mandl said the defence scheme would commend itself to the people as the days go on. Parents would find that ther lads would be benefitted by the training camps in many ways and that good would result therefrom. He stressed the difference _ between compulsory military service and compulsory training. He paid a tribute to Colonel Robert McNab for the part he had played in educating and preparing the people tor the present defence training scheme. Colonel Chaytor, in responding, explained what was being done in respect to the universal training scheme, and said that 90 per cent, of those enrolled had gone through. Those who had seen active service knew the horror of war and he hoped the day would be far distant when they would be called upon to defend themselves. If that day should arrive and their young men were not trained for such emergency those iu authority would be worse than murderers for their neglect. No effective fighting could be done unless the men were trained. The authorities desired that the scheme should not be irksome or conflict with employers interests or that the territorials should suffer hardships. The young fellows took a keen and lively interest iu their training. The opposition element was small and noisy, but they should remember that the military Act was the civil law of the country. Over 95 per cent, who had been trained were eager to go into camp again and numbers offered to go into second camp without pay. The people did not think well of those who were not prepared to fulfil the law —the shirkers. Colonel Russell also responded and spoke appreciatively of the hospitality extended by the Racing Club. The club had done all in its power to make the camp successful. There was a link between tue mounted men and racing clubs. The latter were anxious to improve the breed of horses, but he deprecated shortdistance racing. Officers and men connected with the mounted troops were the keenest supporters of racing. He then proposed the toast of the “Foxton Racing Club,” which was drunk with musical honours. Mr Witchell proposed the toast of the “Sixth Regiment.” He said the camp aroused the people’s patiiotism and he felt sure the club and general public would be pleased to have lire camp pmmaucntly set down lor Foxton. Colonel Pringle responded and referred to the hospitality extended by the club, which had done so much to make the men comlortable, also the Borough Council and other institutions which had entertained them. He thanked Messrs Robinson Bros., for placing their land at the disposal or the authorities lor training purposes, in fact the people had been too kind. He did not know a more suitable locality lor camp purposes than Foxton. Captain Palmer also responded. Major Meldrum proposed the toast of the “Chairman,” the latter suitably responded. During the evening items were rendered by Messrs Collins, W. Cook, Hornblow, Dr. Martin, Captain Palmer and Lieut, Hamilton. The singing of “Auld Rang Syne” and the National Anthem brought a very pleasant evening to a close. Apologies for absence were received from the president of the club, Mr J, R. Whyte, and Messrs O. and C. Robinson, F. Easton and W. Bock.