THE FOXTON ENCAMPMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1050, 30 May 1912, Page 2

THE FOXTON ENCAMPMENT.

The mounted rifles that have been in camp on the racecourse for the past week were astir very early this morning making arrangements to strike camp, and this afternoon the grounds present a somewhat eserted appearance to that displayed during the past seven days. The members of the C. Squadron, with their horses, left by train, a lew going by the ordinary and the balance by a special which left the local station at ro o’clock this morning. The men from in and around Wellington marched to Levin, where they will take the train for their homes. The Manawatu, Awahuri, Horowhenua and other sections near at band left on their horses.

Yesterday afternoon a sports meeting was organised and an enjoyable time spent. Despite the fact that the weather was not altogether favourable, there was a large attendance of the general public. The different events were contested by a very fair number of competitors, and included running races, jumping, tugs-of-war, tent pegging, V.C. race, etc. The two running events —roo yards and 440 yards, were won by the same man, who showed a really good turn of speed, and won rather easily in each case. The tug-oi-war on horseback was won by a team from the Feilding Mounted Rifles, who pulled everything before them. The most interesting event of the alternoon was undoubtedly the V.C. race, in which there were something over 20 entries. The competitors had to race over four flights of hurdles, stop, and pick up au injured man — represented yesterday by a bag of chaff—and with this on their horse, gallop back to the starting point. The race was run in heats, and most of those taking part gave a very commendable exhibition.

On account of the rain last night, the tents were too wet for camp to be struck this morning, and consequently a number of the men had to remain behind to do this work as soon as the tents are dry enough to be taken down. During the time the encampment was held, Colonel Russell, in command of the Mounted Rifles Brigade, comprising the Mauawatu, Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki Regiments, paid a visit of inspection. He expressed the opinion that this camp was the best he had yet visited, and was highly pleased with the programme ot work. The stamp of horse was also superior to that of the other camps. A new departure in connection with the local encampment was the provision of mess tents for the men to dine in. In other camp the men had either to have their meals outside or take them into their own tents- Those in camp were also put through a course of musketry, the first occasion upon which this has been done since the coming into force of the new Defence Act.

The officers express themselves as particularly please;! with the cooking and rood supplied by Mr Devine, the caterer, Colonel Russell, the officer commanding the Mounted Brigade, stating that in this connection the Fox ton encampment was a great improvement on other camps. The conduct of the men throughout, both in and out of camp, was exemplary.