INFANTRY AND GUNNERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 8

INFANTRY AND GUNNERS

. TERRITORIAL CAMPS. GOOD WORK BEING DONE. The Territorial training camps artprogressing towards a successful issue. Matters at the camp of the 6th Regiment at Trentham are satisfactory in every way. The young soldiers are roused from their slumbers each morning by the music of “The British Grenadiers,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” “Bonnie Dundee,” and other airs played as “reveille” by the regimental band. Physical training, battalion drill, company training (the defence, advanced, flank, and rear guard) wera carried out yesterday, but to-day combined training will be performed under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, Coast Defence Commander. The operations are to extend over the country in the direction of the Hutt river. By now the effect of the training of the tioops is very perceptible —in the best possible sense. They are keen, and execute their duties in admirable spirit and in true military style. the weather was very hot at Trentham yesterday, but last night the air was cool. Nevertheless, everybody was happy, there being plenty of mirth and music to while away the hours before “lights out.” Opportunity is being taken by the regimental signallers to do a considerable amount of night signalling. As a consequence the “twinkler.s” are becoming very proficient on the lamps. A marked improvement was noticed in the shooting of the gunners at Forts Kelburne, Ballance, and Dorset yesterday. The number of shots per gun varied from five to six, according to the calibre of the guns. LieutenantColonel Courteney, officer commanding the Garrison Artillery Division, acted as umpire, and he was pleased with the quality of the shooting. Battle practice is to be carried out to-day in order that everyone may know his duties thoroughly by Friday, when the Commandant, General Godley, is to make an inspection in the morning. Garrison artillery work is of a very interesting, but highly technical nature. Tho gunners have to go through many courses to become proficient, therefore it will be seen that the men who are manning the forts are having plenty to keep them busily occupied. Every man is being examined as to his knewledge of the science of gunnery, and all hands do a considerable amount of study. But, withal they are happy and contented, and when time for breaking up cotnes none will be glad, all will be sorry. INSPECTION OF CADETS. Press Association. WANGANUI, February 13. Major-General Godley visited Wangae nui to-day, and this afternoon inspected 240 Collegiate School cadets and 350 senior cadets. This evening, after witnessing the boys’ physical drill exercises, General Godley said he had seen nothing better in any part of the Dominion. He emphasised the need of field work, and hoped they would give as many of their half-holi-days to that work as they reasonably could. The General said the Government had decided to issue rifles to all cadet corps who were considered sufficiently advanced in their work.