MOUNTED RIFLE CAMP

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 185, 22 May 1939, Page 2

MOUNTED RIFLE CAMP

INTERESTING TIME SPENT \ OPOTIKI MEN PROMINENT (Contributed.) '■ A most interesting and instructive •time was spent by the- Opotiki -Mounted Rides who attended the Ist. Composite Mounted Rifle Regiment camp which recently concluded at Wliaugarei. Fifteen Opotiki men, in charge, of vSergt. R. Mulhern had the good luck and honour of representing thisdistrict iu the- camp. The weather ivas ideal, there being no- rain or wind. Avith 'the result that the syllabus was adhered to strictly, and the programme was right- up to time through the Avhole camp. Special features or interest were the 'Ceremonial Parade through Whangarei on Saturday morning, Avheu the Mayor of Whangarei took the salute in front of the Town Hall. The mounted sports Avcre ' held on the Saturday afternoon, when several of the Opotiki men competed successfully. A football match Avas played on Sunday afternoon, Avhen the camp teain met Whangarei, defeating the locals by six points to three. Trooper M. Le Pine played full-back and Trooper Tc-ny Walker first liveeighths for the regiment. Trooper G. Frazer played in the army team Avhich played a curtainraiser AA'itli a local junior team. The boxing tournament held in thecamp on the Saturday evening saw a fair sprinkling of Opotiki men. Troopers R. Booth, J. Robinson, R. Fislier, G. Frazer, H. Hatchett-, and •Uorp. Murray fought either on the night-, or in the inter-squadron hours during the Aveek. The Lloyd Lindsey event was the main event on sports day. In this c-a ont, Avhich is a jumping competition, the horse-holder at om> stage, riding his own horse and leading three other horses, jumps OAer one hurdle, The Opotiki team gained second place, the' team being comprised ol : Sgt. B. Mulhern, Tip. K. Bootli and Tpr. Tony, Walker, the latter being tlici horse-holder. Sgt. J. -Morice,.. Cpl. G. Murray, Tpr. T. Walker and Cpl. Tapp.sell (le Puke) tied! for first place in the sectional tent pegging, in which event some very clever lance Avork Avas displayed. Tpr. HV Hatchett Avas *in both the Avrestling on liorse-back, and tug-o-Avar teams from the A. (E.C.) Squadron, Avhich won the finals of both contests. Tpr. T. Walker also rode in the dispatch race, in Avhich the A. (E.C.) team gained' second place but Avas later disqualified. The employers of., men, and those AA’lio loaned horse.s to men, thus enabling them to attend camp, are to be commended for. their sportsmanship. it is the ambition of these in charge of the Mounted Rifles in Opotiki, "to take a full troop of 80 to camp next year.'