THE TERRITORIALS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 24, 25 May 1912, Page 5

THE TERRITORIALS.

MOFXTHDS AT WAVERLEY. Tlio story of the Wavcrley training camp, as told to a representative ni this paper, hy a local officer ot D Squadron, Wellington ami West Coast Mounted itilies, makes rather refreshing reading. He states that the camp viewed from every standpoint, was an absolute success. I) Squadron bad particular cause to be gratified, because they demonstrated at the sports that they were the crack squadron, by securing out of. six events, three firsts and two seconds. This is no small honour, when one remembers that the troopers in camp came from as far north as Waimanno. and as far south| as Marlon, including the Wanganuil men. I) Squadron, by the way, draws its men from Waitara as well as from) Stratford. For the best mounted four! in the regiment i) Squadron had no| rivals, and they were supreme in the tug-of-wars both on ia/'sebach and on foot. Tiie weather was alt that could he desired, save that on two days ram) fell for a few hours. All the rest of j the time it was beautiful sunny weather—just the kind of weather for putting in the maximum of work with the minimum of discomfort. Complaints about the cooking were absolutely non-existent. Sergeant-Ma-jor Ballinger visited the camp and installed, for the first time in New Zca-| land, the Aldershot system of ovens. The camp cooks wore drawn from the various squadrons, mostly from J). ‘‘The cocking,” added the officer, “was-first-class-—ample ami good. The ofli--cers got the same fond as- the men, j and all were served alike. There was not a single complaint, and the men wore as happy as could he.” Next year the camp will he an immense affair, as it will probably consist of four regiments. Seeing that the one regiment which was encamped at Wavcrley mustered over four hundred men, there will he approximately sixteen hundred men in camp. Next month the mounted “casual” camp comes off. It will not be a very large affair. It was mentioned that there were one or two men who were endeavouring to shirk their responsibilities in the matter of going into camp, and a warning should suffice these, that the Department will not hesitate to enforce tne law on all delinquents. On Sunday last the Wanganui City Band, under Bandmaster Buckley, visited the camp for the Church Parade, and played selections during the day. An effort is being made to make this hand the Regmiental Band. The ladies of Marten, also, added to the enjoyment of the camp, by tcnder'ng the troopers a very enjoyable concert. H()N OR ARY IVI EMBER S. i For Press Association ) Pahiatua, May 24. Tiie honorary Territorial movement is being taken up vigorously in Fahiatua. At the instance of the Mayor, Mr W. W. Cardie, a well-attended public meeting was held here last night, and a branch of the 'honorary Territorials-was formed, .a ,strong committee being set tip. Captain J. Osburne-Lilly, promoter df the local movement, addressed the, meeting and received an enthusiastic hearing.

A CHAPLA IX’S PRAISE. Wanganui, 'May 2d. The Territorial camp at Smithlield closed after a useful period of training. Interviewed, Chaplain-Major Luxford, who spent the whole period in camp with the men, spoke in very high terms of the behaviour of the lads, saying that their conduct was creditable to themselves and to the homes they came from. “If all Territorial camps are conducted like this one,” he said, “parents need not have any fear for the welfare of their hoys.” So far as he could observe there was not the slightest sign of any liquor and he did not believe an ounce was smuggled into camp. Mr Luxford says be was afforded every assistance by the officers of the regiment, who themselves set a good example to the men, and he considers the Sergeant-Major Instructors a fine stamp and just the kind ox arm to influence the lads for good. Referring to the spending of the evenings

in camp, lie urges that the authorities should provide bigger marquees and more of thorn in order that all men will he able to take part in rational amusement and spend their evenings pleasantly. The “moral leper” -rants isolation when found to.exist and care should be taken that no tent is pitched outside tho camp boundary. He recognised the difficulties the authorities were under in these matters, hut hopes they will receive attention as early as possible.