THE VOLUNTEER CAMP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 30, 7 February 1901, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER CAMP.

ffo Veteran."!

The Volunteers struck camp last and so brought the . Ideal camp of 1901 to an end. The abominable wcathoi experienced mitigated against the success of the camp fron an instructional p9int of view, still soma very go id work wa9 put in, the attandacce of both corps being very good. In spite of the rough weather ond the antadiluvian tents whioh leafo.d at every seam, acd the generally miserable condition of a military camp in wet weather, the men were in good spirits and stuck to their work very well and the camp was not without humourous episodes, probablv thu quoit match, the advent of tlw Highlander and the exodus of the majority of the men in extremely light and airy costume# on Sunday nig'it from their leaky tents to the large marquee provided by the caterer, being the moet comical. The tables were lawored on to the forms and a number of tha men nude themselves comfortable fo- th« night, as they though 1 ., but as soon as huv had sattled tluuiiwlve* a numbei i f misguided youths would either raise one end of the tables and dfcpor.it its load ®f humanity pill-mull on the ground, or else the blankets would mysteriously vanish, but thing* soow settled down on tha advent, of the officer of the day, accompanied by the Orderly Sergeant. One or two civilians received a rath r rude shock on being challenged »y thu 1 seatry on guard at tlw rnaiu uutr«ince to the grounds, and in one cm» a waple who would not or cjuld not gi ai th>; right word showed a rflmarkable turn of speed on the appear auca of the guard in the chase which ensued. One vary pleasing feature of the eamp was the Stood feeling existiug between the Rifles and the Guards, though th« rivalry in the matter of smarvness at drill is int»nse.

Before the men l*ft ths camp three | h'arty cheers wtre given for the officer commanding, Oap'ain Okoy, of *.he R lies. Cheers were also given for Captain Taunton, of the GmrJs, and !the other officers ia camp. Tha caterer also received a hearty cheer, and I specially hearty cheers were given for she City Baud, who had stayed in camp throughout the week and rendered camp life much more enjoyabb than it otherwise would have been. . The Rifles find the khaki drill uniforms ve>y comfortable weiring, and much warmer than might be expected from such light material, but " waterproof khaki" is a huge sarcasm. S'ili the material seems su'ong and durable and is a good working dress. It is I their intention to go in for blue drens trouse<s to match the blue tunic, which uniform will be used on spse'.al occasion, such as ceremonial and church parades, balls, socials, etc. The ar-Ucted men from both corps for Wellington will assemble at the Drill Hall on Friday at 11.15 a.m., the special train leaving soon after noon, Including the Imperial troops, it is expected that closo on 4000 men will be reviewed in Wd!ington oa Saturday.