MILITARY CAMP AT FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3592, 29 January 1927, Page 2

MILITARY CAMP AT FOXTON.

ARTILLERY IN ACTION NEXT WEEK.

The arrival of six four inch howitzers, two live Holt caterpillar tractors, two motor lorries and wagons of blankets, foodstuffs, etc., in Foxton during the week, together with a body of men from, the permanent force, making preparations for.the artillary camp, to be held on the local racecourse next week, has caused a. good deal of local interest, which, to some degree, has been stimulated by rumours of war in the East.

The guns, together with most of the gear, arrived on Tuesday and since then the men have been very busy, working from early morning until late at night, getting the camp in order. Some thirty officers and N.C.O.’s arrived at midday to-day and they will be followed on Tuesday by the arrival of TOO men of the 19th Battery, Wellington. The routine of the camp will be very similar to that of previous (‘amps, and live shell practice will be indulged in during next week. The camp will be under the charge of Major Ilanghton and the instructor will he Captain Dillon, M.C. of the Indian Army. Dr. Wyllie will carry old the duties of camp medical officer.

The guns, six inch howitzers, are (he most modern medium arms at present in use and the local public will be afforded an opportunity of witnessing them in action next week. They are tractor drawn but the battery staff and signallers are siiH'depcndant on horses, or 1 , as our informant styled them, “our long faced friends.”

This year special train arrangements have been made to transport the troops from Wellington and they will arrive on Tuesday at 1.10 p.m., disembarking at the racecourse.

-After this camp the following Batteries will come in at weekly intervals:— 17th Battery, Wellington; oth Battery, Napier; Bth Battery, Palmerston North; 7th Battery, Palmerston North; and sth Battery, Wellington. There will be about 200 men in each camp.

The horses required for the camps are being brought by train to' Foxton and some of them arrived at mid-day to-day, A canteen- and social room have been provided for the convenience of the troops, and in connection with the latter, the men will be very grateful for gifts of magazines and reading matter during the sojourn in camp. Any reading matter left at this office will be immediately forwarded to the camp.