ARTILLERY CAMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2819, 4 December 1924, Page 2

ARTILLERY CAMP.

The training of the Eighth Battery, N.Z.A. was completed at the local racecourse to-day and the guns were entrained this morning. The weather conditions yesterday were particularly sultry, but this fact did not in any way appear to affect Die activities of the men—who are a particularly smart company of young fellows, keen and enthusiastic in their work in this branch of defence. The camp life has been tenly appreciated by all, and the ■jilendid appointments of the racing club much appreciated, while the nature of the surrounding i mm try with its sand dunes and uninterrupted freedom is ideal for training. Yesterday Die Battery was in action with live shell practice under service conditions. The manoeuvres were under the critical observation of Lieut.-Colonel Gard’ner and Captain Pollard. The staff was located on a sand dune and away in the dis(a nee, moving between sand dunes, the enemy was located. Observations and distances were ascertained and it was not long before the battery was in action and shells sc-recoiled through the air and broke with deadly accuracy on the objectives. Changing enemy dispositions were observed and dealt with and altered conditions, owing to “casualties” attended to. Subsequently the engagement and its effect was carefully explained. , In the evening, the camp was entertained at an open-air concert, orgasised by Captain Chaplain Walton, whose efforts on behalf of the men throughout the camp, are keen--1 v appreciated. The camp concert was a. decided success and the performers received a great ovation. Battery Staff Officer Waters opened the proceedings with a pianoforte .solo. Messrs Poole and Mason contributed vocal duets and the latter a solo. The padre, who presided, kept the company in good humour with his jokes and stories. The other contributors to the programme were Misses Ritchie and Dent (violin and piano) Messrs Barron and J. K. Hornblow and instrumental items by Driver Phillips and Sergt. Altvers. Community singing with Miss llealev as accompanist, was heartily indulged in. Cheers for the performers were heartily given and the proceedings terminated with the National Anthem. The visitors were subsequently entertaned at supper by the officers. Captain Pollard, camp Adjutant, and his staff, desire to thank all who assisted in any way to entertain the company in camp. Mr Mason, headmaster, accompanied by Air Warwick, first assisttaut, took a squad of boys to the camp yesterday afternoon and they were interested spectators of the battery in action. The conduct of the men, both within and without the camp, has won for them the esteem and respect of the local public. The following are the results of the tabloid sports, held on Easton Park, by the Seventh Battery last week: — Battery championship (highest points for 100 yards sprint, 50yds. backwards race, backward jump, standing jump, long jump, high jump, relay race, tug-of-war on horseback and wrestling on horseback) —“D.” subsection (431 points) 1; battery staff points) 2. The battery staff were the neatest sub-section and also had the neatest tent. The most improved signallers and drivers were Bombardier Tier and Driver Furlong respectively. The best gunlayer was Bombardier Boldt. The Eighth Battery championship was won by B. subsection (44 points), with D subsection- second with 33A points.