THE MAORI CONTINGENT

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 70, 21 November 1914, Page 3

THE MAORI CONTINGENT

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The Maori contingent at Avondale is progressing steadily with its training, which has now reached the stage of open-order drill and attack musketry. Elementary musketry is also being taught, and work on the rifle range will be started before #ery long. The men are still garbed in dungarees, but a consignment of uniforms for the whole contingent is expected to arrive by the end of the present week, after which the two companies will probably make more frequent appearances in public. Major C. R. McDonald, general staff officer for the Auckland district, has paid several visits to the camp during the past few days, and has delivered a number of lectures to the officers. The latter at present do not make up the complement of two infantry companies, and steps will probably be taken to promote some of the most promising members of the contingent to commissioned rank. Permanent appointments .of N.C.O. 's will be made on Sunday next, and commissions will in all probability be given suitable men in the course of a few weefts.