AT THE CAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 98, 25 April 1912, Page 5

AT THE CAMP.

INSPECTION OF THE AIEN 15V GENERAL GODLEY. dN POURING RAIN. A few days ago everyone was saying what a splendid choice was made when mid-April was chosen as tho date for the annual training camp. Now one hears a fairly unanimous opinion tnat April is too late in the season, and that it would bo better, if the cows permit, to have the camp much earlier. Of course, had not Tuesday-and Wednesday last been days of wind and rain this latter opinion would never have been expressed. It was certainly unfortunate, and when our watched the military sports yesterday it seemed almost a calamity. Wednesday morning broke fine and clear, and the companies were soon busy putting in their last day’s training. The rain had not yet descended, and the usual physical exercise war the, first course on the day’s menu. After breakfast, rain prevented tin programme of company and battalion drill that was to have been carried out, and visual training took its place. The work was done from tingrandstand, and the men had to judge the distances between them and land scape targets. The idea, of course, is that in active warfare, when individual fire is concerned, the troops may bo able to pick lip the range accurately, and send tho bullet to its mark. At 10 o’clock the G.0.C., General Godley, accompanied by the OfficerCommanding the District, Colonel Chaytor, and Colonel Head, Director of Military Training, arrived. The officers were met at the gate by Colonel Malone, O.C. the Regiment, and tiro staff officers, a general tour of inspection being then made. First came an inspection of the lines, and talking about these, re rivalry between A Company (New Plymouth) and I! Company (Stratford) for the prize for best kept tents is now very keen. Tin 1 latter have been drawing even, and it is understood that there will be some difficulty in separating tho winner*. But to return; The G.O.C. made a very minute examination of the camp, expressed himself as pleased with the general appearance of cleanliness of the lines, and had a word of encouragement for the officers and privates alike, with whom he came in contact. The official inspection of the companies took place in the grandstand. From the ground, they looked a fine body of men, as one saw tier after tier of khaki-clad soldiers, with rows and rows or rifles, and here and there a glistening sword. In addressing iColonel Malone and the officers and men of the lltli Regiment, Taranaki Rifles, General Godley said he deqirqd to say hpwi very glad he was to have had that opportunity of seeing them that day. He was very sorry that the state of the weather had prevented him from seeing the regiment at work on the field, but he looked forward to doing so next year., From what he had seen that day, and from wjjat Colonel Malone had informed him of the spirit in which tho men in the regiment had done their work, and of tho good progress made, ho was perfectly certain that next year the regiment) Would be a very efficient one. He must congratulate them on the good muster, and was pleased to sec that they were all doing the little bit for., tho defence of their country and the Empire. Nobody wanted to fight, but it was well

that they should all he ready to do so should the occasion arise for them to defend their country. Taranaki had always been renounce! for its patriotism; in the Maori war the Taranaki men had fought valiantly. They had always done well, and the new regiment should remember that they had to live up to the tradition:: set by these men. He would like to see if the regiment could not become the host in the Dominion. Between now and tho next encampment ho wanted all the men to attend to their drill regularly, and to show the same spirit of keenness as they had shown in the camp. Ho congratulated Colonel Malone, the officers and men, on the fine results of the week’s camp. It was most encouraging for the success of the scheme to see such good work done in so short a time, and he was very pleased indeed to see for himself such a fine body of young men doing so well in camp. In conclusion, he wished them all the best cf good luck, and hoped to see them again next year doing more advanced work and doing it well.

General Godley and Colonel Head with Second-Lieutenant Richmond, orderly officer to the General, then left the camp, the companies setting to work on the last dinner, for a year at least, they will have in camp.

Speaking about dinner, there is a general impression abroad that all is not as it should bo with regard to the food and the arrangements for serving it. It is very unfortunate that rumour in this instance should have been such a lying jade. Speaking to a representative of this paper, an old campaigner said some of the men were better fed than taught. It is the usual custom for the men to have their maiding—one slice allowed—on the Snxno plate an their meat, and lie instanced a ease of where a man refused to eat any, because, he considered that he had tho wrong plate. “I asked him,” he said, “whether he thought his messmate had liked it.” He paid a tribute to the contractor, said lie war. an old volunteer, and took the unfair criticism of tho camp cuisine very much to heart. Further, he stated that he saw one squad pass up their plates for a second helping, knowing that they were not allowed to do tins. The result was another body of men were forced to go without. “The trouble,” he added, “is largely with

the men themselves ami the inexperience of .sonic of the junior officers.” From another source, our representative secured a criticism of the restaurant system of messing. He was of the opinion that the system was a good one, and drew a comparison between the system at work in the camp and the one with which the old volunteers were familiar, when two man from each tent did their best at the “cook-house door” for the men they left behind. They got what tucker they could, and in many cases got more than they wanted, when they wont back to their mates with a none too generous supply of rations. He was strongly of opinion that a civilian cook with a civilian stall' could never work really well in a military camp. He considered that an army should lie self-contained, and that a start should be made, say, by training men in the permanent forces, to organise a staff of regimental cooks throughout tho country. That was the only way to give perfect satisfaction. However true these remarks, it looks as if tho old order will never be changed and so far as camp cooking is concerned there will always lie numerous responses to the query “Complaints.” The military sports, despite tho rain that had fallen steadily throughout tho day, making the ground a perfect quagmire, duly came off—at least, some of the programme did. Tho first event was squad drill, consisting of a series of elementary movements. In this, A and B Company, New Plymouth, carried all before them and tied. Captain Hamilton, the judge, stated that he would not separate the teams as they had each eight black marks against them. Later, he understood, Colonel Malone decided that they should divide, the prize money.

The next competition was an arm drill, pure and simple. A Company (New Plymouth) gave a really masterly exhibition. They handled their rifles with ease and precision, and the display was one that drew favourable comment from all who had the pleasure of seeing the squad at work. H Company, Stratford, have had their rifles three days. In suen a time :1 is quite impossible to study the finer points of the movements required in ; say, “five bayonets.” It mignt be remembered that the New Plymouth Company have had their rifles for some three months. Stratford were the only team who had their rifles such

a short time, and consequently they were by no means disgraced, because they were placed at the bottom of the list. A Company were again easily first with five black marks. Captain Hamilton, in announcing tho results, said the display made was highly creditable, all things considered. In the physical drill the men met on more equal terms, though this would not appear so, from the manner in which some of the squads performed. A Company started off first, and made several mistakes, but gave a good exhibition. The next squad gave a rather lamentable performance. Then came H Company under Colour-Ser-geant Raliouc. As they commenced, General Godley arrived, and the General watched the squad at work with keen interest. They went through the exercises like veterans, made few mistakes, and earned well the applause that greeted the order “Dismiss!” At the conclusion, Stratford were placed first, with New Plymouth A Company a fair second. Our squad have been instructed by Sergeant-Major Dalhnger, to whom congratulations are due for the thoroughness with which lie has performed his duties. The Waimarino boys proved too strong for Stratford in the tug-of-war, but the competition was not finished, the rain coming down heavily. Besides the ground was being cut up too much.

An anxious man was the caretaker of the Hawera racecourse. In a fortnight’s time the Hawera races are due, and it will take all his efforts to bring tho grounds into their customary order. Portions were roped off and zealous sentries prohibited any one from crossing the lawns. In the evening the boxing was not gone on with. It is probable that the bouts will be staged in Stratford at some future date, the companies sending their chosen ones from north, south, east and west. To-day the men leave in batches, Waimarino being the first to move, utilising the mail train. H Company lease at 11 a.m., and with /them tho companies for the north.

It was undoubtedly a very great pity that there should not have been a big crowd to watch the sports. Had not the Mayoral elections intervened, special trains would doubtless have been run on Wednesday. Next year it is to ho hoped this will be arranged, and with the sports coming on a holiday, there should be a splendid crowd at the camp. This desirable end attained, tho opponents to our system of defence will he few and far between.