ARTILLERY CAMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3596, 8 February 1927, Page 3

ARTILLERY CAMP.

\the public entertained

THE GUNS IN ACTION

SPORTS AND “AT HOME.”

Excellent weather prevailed for Hie “at home,” held on the racecourse by the officers and men of the 19th Battery on Saturday, and a large number of local residents availed themselves of their opportunity of visiting the camp. A lengthy sports programme was provided and the various events caused a good deal of interest and arnuscuent. A team of local natives accepted the Challenge issued by the Battery to pull them at tug-of-war but when the teams took the field it was obvious that the difference in weight was out of all proportion and the natives, in sportsmanlife manner, . offered to pull the battery team of eight with a team of six. The result, however, proved a win for the Maoris, who just sat down and hung on, leaving the battery boys to tire themselves out on the other end of the rope and finally be pulled past the post. The Maori team then delighted the crowd with a haka which was filmed by the publicity man

PossiMy the greatest attraction during the afternoon was the laying and firing of the battery of four howitzers in the centre of the course. The shoot was carried out under ordinary conditions and 0. Pip, the observing station, was located on Government Hill, communication with the battery being by field telephone and flag wagging. Each of four guns fired one shot, the reports of which shook the building and temporarily deafened the onlookers.

Another attraction was the field wireless outfit, which was operated from the lawn.

During the afternoon tractor rides proved very popular and not least intei’esting among the attractions was a tractor race between the two caterpillar tractors. * The race proved a dead heat, the one with the inside running, failing to use his handicap to any advantage. An orchestra provided a programme of music on the lawn and dancing was indulged in. Afternoon tea was handed round and a very enjoyable time was spent by all. Captain Able brought a party of young people connected with the queen carnival up from Wellington by car and good business was done by them in canvassing the crowd with competitions, buttons, etc., in aid of their queen candidate, Miss Norwood. Unfortunately Miss Norwood was unable to be present, owing to an indisposition, but her sister was in attendance in her stead. The party left again for Wellington the same evening. The sunburnt arms and faces of a number of young men attached to the 19th Battery, who return to Wellington to-day, show the effects of the open air life they have been leading in camp during the past week. The skin has peeled off a number of them giving them the appearance of boiled lobsters. The health of the men without exception has been excellent. Nothing but praise is heard of the commissariat department and the men are prepared to match their camp cook against any chef in the Dominion. SPORTS. The sports resulted as follows: — Tug-of-war: C. sub-section 1, B sub-section 2; tent pitching: C subsection 1, A sub-section 2; relay race: A sub-section 1, F sub-sec-tion 2; wheelbarrow race: Humphries and Mulroy. Won by three lengths and a leg. Three-legged race: Hetherington and Smith; biscuit and whistle race: dead heat Misses Rochefort and Martin. On Sunday morning a Church parade was held at All Saints’ Church. The Church was filled to its utmost. An appropriate sermon was preached by the Padre, Rev. W. H. Walton.

On Sunday evening a concent was held at the camp when the following programme was submitted: — j' Community sing; song, Lieutenant Dillon; cornet duet, Bds. Michell and Patton; quartette, Officers 19th Battery; recitation, Gr. Roberts; song, Sergt. Foggin; recitation, Mr. Grainger; orderlies' song: A. sub-section; song:*the Padre; song: Gr. Tayilor; piano and ukelele: Messrs Flowers and Emerson; violin solo: Sergt. Palainountain; item: F. sub-section; song: Lieut. Powles, cornet and guitar: Bds. Miehell and Lowe. Gunner Gray officiated as M.C. and Gunner Tyrrell (piano), and Worth (violin), played the accompaniments.

The men of the 17th Battery (Wellington) arrived in camp at midday to-day, by special train, the 19th Battery leaving on the special about 2 o’clock.

Yesterday the 19 th Battery again indulged in live shell practice, the guns taking up a position opposite the old Maori burial ground at Motuiti in the morning and opposite Mr W. E. Barber’s residence in the afternoon.

A very successful dance was held in the Masonic Hall last night, under the auspices of the officers and men of tho 19th Battery. The interior of the hall was pleasingly decorated with bunting and streamers. The Battery’s jazz orchestra t)f nine instruments provided excel-

lent music, and the lloor space was oec upied to its fullest capacity. The officers officiated as M's.C., and the catering was in the hands of Walls. The dance was a decided social success. Ail amusing feature was the Charleston crocodile, by members of the Battery, led by Sapper Guntrip. Several local dancers subsequently joined in the Charleston. The following are the names of the staff in connection with the 19th Battery: — Major Houghton, 0.C., Capt. Fenton, Lieut. Jenkins, Lieut. Powles, Adjutant: Lieut. Dillon; Assistant Adjutant: Lieut. Gallagher. AN APPRECIATION. r (To The Editor). Sir,—On behalf of the Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 19th (Med) Battery, N.Z.A., T wish to extend through your columns, our hearty thanks to the residents of Foxton for the great kindness and hospitality they have shown us. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Foxton, short though it has been, and we are looking forward to coming again next year. —I am, etc. V. P. HOUGHTON, Major.

O.C. 19th (Med) Battery, N.Z.A.