THE TAKAPAU CAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 18, 13 May 1914, Page 6

THE TAKAPAU CAMP.

REPLY TO THE REV. BOYS' CRITICISM. |Pbb Pees* AtßoourioTs] . JDaimevirke, May 13. Ensign Garner, who was in cliarge of the Sajvaton Army'marquee" at Takapau, warmly repudiates the allegations against th|,c<jn<|ict oi the Territorials' ca^p>y the Rev. ,Boys, Methodist chaplain at Palnierston North. Ensign Garner says that the Rev. Boys was only a casual visitor to the camp. Thi| : church had-a marquee, and he saw little of what went on. The Salvation Army marquee was crowded every night,, and Ensign Gar-' er says he never heard one bad word; or saw anything approaching horseplay. The men joined heartily in the| half-hour services, and showed the greatest respect and courtesy to the chaplains. The only bad language he heard was after the lights were out, and then it wa s no • worse than he heard in the streets of any town on a Saturday night. The football match on Sunday was to be deplored, but the officers were not ;to blame for. that. Ensign Garner is specially indignant at the slur cast on the permanent men, and General Godley. He says that he was in a position to know the feelings of the officers, because he messed with them, and their attitude towards the Territorials in every way was sympathetic. General Godley only stayed at Takapau one night, and Ensign Garner says he could not have refused to share with Sir Tan Hamilton the hospitality:. of Mr . Sydney Johnston, who had generously given the use of his estate for the Territorials' operations. Ensign Garneiv concluded by stating that he considered the Rev. Boys' criticism uncalled for and quite ■unworthy of a clergyman holding the position of chaplain.