MILITARY CAMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2815, 25 November 1924, Page 2

MILITARY CAMP.

The military camp on the racecourse was comfortably settled down by Friday night and pickets were posted around the camp. Several local residents in the habit of taking a short cut across the course were somewhat startled that evening by being challenged and were obliged to retrace their steps. The camp is located at the rear of the racecourse buildings and the full strength is 95. The officers’ quarters arc situated in the jockey’s room, the cook-house and mess in the course luncheon rooms, while a Y.M.C.A. has been set up in the club’s afternoon tea rooms. A small building to the east of the tote, house is being used as a magazine and at present houses some four tuns of high explosives. This build ing is never left unguarded.-A siiower house has been fixed up at the rear of the cook-house.-Yesterday the racecourse presented a very.busy appearance. Four four-horse teams were to be seen practising different movements on (lie eastern side of ilio course, while (lie middle portion was occupied by the. different gun batteries. The camp k drilling until four 18-pounders. Signallers were to be seen in all corners of the grounds. Morse, semaphore and Lucas light signalling apparatus are used as well as the field telephones. On Saturday last elementary (raining was carried out.

On Sunday morning a Church parade was held. The Foxton Silver Band met the troops at Victoria Park and beaded them into town, where they were dismissed and trainees attended the different Churches. At the conclusion of the Church services, the troops again assembled and were marched back to camp, accompanied by the Silver Band. In the afternoon the camp was open to visitors and an exhibition drill gone through. The troops were then dismissed for the rest of the afternoon and showed visitors over the camp.

Yesterday sectional drill was indulged , in all day. This momning battery and instructional series was gone through while this afternoon, from 3 to 4, firing, insimotional series, with six-pounders is, on the routine list. For Wednesday the drill listed is battery trainill", occupation of battery positions*, instructional series and practical ■ A-pound gun ranging. The afternoon will be devoted to tabloid sports in connection with the Carnival on Easton Park.

On Thursday afternoon live shell practice with 18-pound guns wiH be undertaken.

Friday morning it is possible that live shell practice will be continued and the troops, will leave camp in the afternoon, returning to Palmerston N. by the 2.25 p.m. train. . In connection with the firing practice, Captain Pollard 'extends a welcome- to the public of Foxton to be presenl to witness the demonstration. He also issues a warning that, it will not be safe to be on Robinson’s run between the racecourse and the coast during filing hours. The battery will be located at the rear of the racecourse, on Messr.-, Robinson Bros, property during firing practice. A very interesting feature of the camp is the Roberts Camp Cooker. This is a compact oven, standing about four feet high and about six feet square.. It is possible to provide a meal for 250 men by the aid of (bis cooker at one time. In conversation with our representative, Captain Pollard stated that they were very pleased with the camp. The grounds were excellent for camping purposes and they were all very comfortable. They had received but one complaint from the men and that was about the town water supply. This had been overcome, however, by the Racing Club granting the camp the use of their tank supply of water and everything was now proceedings without a hitch. The camp medical officer is Dr. Wyllie, and he inspects the camp daily at 9 a.m. Practically no sickness has been experienced as yet. Rev. W. H. Walton is acting as Chaplain. Reveille is sounded at 5.30 a.m.

and the .first parade is held from 6.30 to 7.30 a.jtn. Breakfast is partaken at 7.45 a.m. After that the routine is as set out above. Twenty per cent, of the camp is leave nightly until 10.30 o clock. The camp.is run under active service conditions and our representative had the. opportunity, of visiting the different pickets with the inspecting officer last night. It was impossible to break through any picket without challenge. The Palmerston N. Bth Battery will commence a week’s continuous training on Friday next. The Sports Queen Committee took a concert party up to the camp last night and entertained the men to an open-air concert. The performers were as follows: Miss D. Morgan, song; Miss Isie Patterson, song, Miss Jean Robinson, hornpipe; Mr A- Smith, song; Mrs Slade, song; Mr Lanslow, song: Mr A. Reid, song; Miss H. and D, Morgan, duet; Mss M. Patterson, song; Misses Patterson duet Tawhiti Hirini, song, Miss O. Andrews, song, Messrs A. Reid and B. Hinds, duet. The Maori quartette was repeatedly recalled. The concert terminated with a few wellknown choruses, in : which everyone joined. Miss M. Healey played the accompaniments. At the conclusion, dancing was indulged in until 10.30 when “lights out” sounded. The entertainers were accorded a warm reception and given cheers at the end of the performance. Those taking part were subsequently entertained to supper-by Captain Pollard and staff officers.

The camp would be pleased to receive any magazines or illustrated papers for reading purposes. .Parcels left at this office will receive prompt delivery.