TRENTHAM CAMPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 170, 4 January 1915, Page 6

TRENTHAM CAMPS.

MAKING SOLDIERS. RAW MATERIAL AVAILABLE OF MUCH PROMISE Wellington, Friday. The work of knocking the men in camp at Trentham into soldiers is progressing apace. In the majority of cases the members of the force were very raw material, as far as military work is concerned, but the painstaking care of the instructors and the eagerness and intelligence of the men is working wonders. As a class the men could hardly be improved upon. The majority are robust »nd hardy and of splendid physique. If there is a fault to be found, it is in connection with the burly individuals who compose the mounted division. These troopers are a fine stamp of men indeed, and a considerable proportion of them have the physique to qualify for the Life Guards. There are a number of guns at the Camp, and the artillery unit is daily becoming more perfect in drill. Riding exercise is being done, and although the majority of those in the artillery have been accustomed to horses, they find it is quite a different matter riding without stirrup-irons. Yesterday was a short day, but a considerable amount, of work was put in by the infantry. All over the large reserve squads are being drilled. Most of the work was of elementary nature, but the smartness of the men in obeying the word of command was ample ( proof of the progress that has already been made. Colonel A. W. Robin, C.8., CM.fi., Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. Gibbon, and Colonel (i. J. Collins, C.M.G., 1.5.0., made an inspection of the camp yesterday afternoon, and were well pleased with the arrangements Lieutenant-Colonel Potter has made for the comfort of the men. Comment has been made in respect to two truck-ioads of vegetables sent from -Wanganui to the Camp. These vegetables, it was stated, were intended * for the Wanganui section, 'but when it is realised that there is no Wanganui section, and that Mr Arthur St. Lewis I who consigned the vegetables on behaHl of the Wanganui contributors, requested' by letter that they should be "distributed among the men and officers in camp," the rumor that the Wanganui men are not being fairly treated, prove:.groundless. General leave was granted to 15 per cent, of the officers and men yesterday and a number have Mi to spend the ■New Year with friend; and relations. A special train was provided by the Railway Departmeri to bring the men to the "city, and over one thousand detrained at Lamb'.on station at 4.45 in the afternoon. The heat in the camp on Wednesday was very trying, and several men receiv- ; ed a touch of sunstroke while drill- J ing, ( but the general health of the men » is very good. There will be all classes of tradesmen in camp, and all the buildings that are being erected on the ground are being put up by members of the force. The Salvation Army have erected a commodious building, and the men ira'; full use of it. Games and reading miter are provided free of charge, and : most meritorious work is being accomplished by this religious body. The Anglicans, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, the Y.M.C.A.,*and others have also constructed -buildings and are doing equally good work. There ia a constructed street in the camp, and within a short space of time buildings will face it to its full length on both sides. It is called MacChrystall's parade, after the genial captain of that name. During the previous camp, photographers were allowed to do business with the men, and in many instances the visitors, after receiving deposits for photographs, never put in an appearance again. In order to prevent the men being swindled again, Colonel Potter has provided buildings for two recognised photographers and a proportion of the rent received for the use of the premises is being added to a fund to provide the men with dainties when at sea. It is the intention of the military authorities to build a permanent camp at i Trentham so that in colder wearier the men will not be called upon to sleep uii- ; der canvas.