MILITARY CAMP

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3755, 16 February 1928, Page 3

MILITARY CAMP

“AT HOME” AND SPORTS. An “At Home” was held by the men of the sth (D) Battery, Wellington, encamped on the racecourse yesterday afternoon. A good number of .the local public took advantage of the invitation to inspect the camp and the , weather, despite the fact that light rain fell during the morning, was ideal; The programme commenced with a parade of the troops and inspection by the 0.C., Captain Keane. After dismissal, the sports programme was carried out. Keen interest was evinced in ■the various competitions and sports arranged by the men and two comedians enlived proceedings. A mock court on the lawn provided a good deal of merriment, one of the troops being arrested for having an unregistered “baby” in camp, The case for the prosecution collapsed, Ijowever, on the production of “the baby”—an Austin seven, which was driven “into the court” by the offending party. A burlesquerace meeting was also held. A bookmaker complete with bag, notebook and pencil, loudly proclaimed the odds as the “draughts” paraded in front of the stand. “Oxford Bags” was a rank outsider and the jockey experienced some difficulty in mounting, despite the assistance of a ladder. As the field thundered down the straight in the preliminary the “bookie” was offering 100 to 1 on “Oxford Bags.” After some trouble at the bander a good start was effected and the whole field, with the exception of the outsider, got well away. The race proved a frame-up, however, the field running “dead” for “Oxford Bags” to win. Even so the “favourite” had difficulty in forging to the front, the bunch being “pulled” to allow him to win by the moisture on his nose. Exit the “bookie.”

The officers two . furlongs race proved the classic event of the day and was interesting and keenly contested.

The horse event, musical chairs, provided a good deal of amusement.

In the above event one of the riders unfortunately became unseated from his bare-back mount, and.sustained a nasty fall. He was uninjured, however. The Battery “went into action” during the afternoon in the centre of the course, when several blank rounds Avere fired. The sports resulted as follows: — Musical chairs: Bombadier McKay; medley race: Sergeant Everett; Avagon team relay: Bombadier Stewart on “Oxford Bags;” subsection relay: “D” sub-section; officers race: Sergeant Tierney. At a. suitable juncture Captain Keane took the opportunity to thank the people of Foxton for their hospitality and said the men Avere looking fonvard to spending another week in Foxton next year.

The Mayor (Mr. Perreau), thanked.the officers and men on behalf of the townspeople for .the excellent afternoon’s entertainment and said they were always welcome in Foxton, particularly the men of the sth Battery. , Afternoon tea was dispensed on the lawn and at the conclusion of the programme dancing was indulged in in, the tea kiosk. The officers in charge of the camp are Captain Keane 0.C., Captain Pollard (Palmerston North), and Lieutenants Brown, Turner and Lowe. The padre is Rev. Watson, of St. Peter’s, Wellington, and Dr. Stout is the Medical Officer. Lieutenant Gibson has charge of the canteen.

Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Stout were visitors to the camp.