THE SIXTHS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1915, Page 5

THE SIXTHS.

PAEXiNG ADVICE FROM CHIEF OF STAFF. i3y Telegraph.— Press Association. Wellington, August 13. _ Colonel Oiblion, Chief of Stat)', addreising the Sixth Iteiiiforcements, said they had not iiad the same chance as the Fifth to do a thorough preparation, through Sickness and the weather. "The mounted rifles,'' he proceeded, "have suffered more severely than the infantry. A, H, C, and D Squadrons had delays in getting their horses, but they have, pulled through, and I do not thing those four squadrons are far behind what wo have sent before. E, F, G, H, I, and J. Squadrons we are sending away only partially trained. Their training will be completed In Egypt. This is the first time since the main body went that we have asked for cur reinforcements' training lo be completed there, but (here is a reason for that. Wo were asked urgently for men and these squadrons will take over the horses now in Egypt for their own trainif!' fii:d at the same time set free other "' lit for service for the front. The Engineers and Artillery, I am satisfied, ace up to what we have sent before, hut they have had a better opportunity than the Mounted Rifles. They have remained here in Trentham ,Camp and stuck to their work. The infantry havo done well, and f do not consider' they are far behind, if behind at all, the Fifth Reinforcements, except in musketry. This has not been the fault of the man. But I see you are going forward in full confidence that you will uphold our traditions."

After warning (lie men against drink and other temptations which unfit men for their duty as soldiers, Colonel Gibbon ]iointed out that our troops, together with (he Australians, had won a; very high reputation, and urged the Sixth ti. make it their business to keep that reputation up. He imped to read an acknowledgment of that fact, not merely in the newspapers, but in the history of the war when written.

Colonel Gibbon intimated that the Sixth, after landing in Egypt, would probably not have long to wait before being sent into notion. Many of the Second Reinforcements, upon making Egypt, had been despatched with the main body, and the Fourth, had bean sent on to the Dardanelles after spending only three days in Egypt. He concluded by urging them to play the game. GUBERNATORIAL REVIEW. A GRAND BODY OF MEN.

Wellington, Last Night. The Sixth Reinforcements, who have completed their training and have now been placed on active service, were officially inspected by ll'is Excellency, the Governor at Trentham at 11 o'clock this morning, and made quite a brave showing. The inspecting party comprised His Excellency, the Prime Minister, Minister ef Defence, Minister of Finance, Brigadier-General Robin, and Colonel C. M. Gibbon. Major A. M. Samuel was in command of the reinforcement. The troops, upon the arrival of His Excellency, came to attention and sloped arms, and the effect was magnificent. They then came to the royal salute, while the camp band played the National Anthem, and another striking spectacle was witnessed, Hb Excellency and party „ then inspected the troops, the band playing Ihicly military airs during the ceremony. Then came tlie march past in column of route, in which the spectators, a fair number of whom wiere present, were treated to another ceremony which was well worth seeing. In this the Sixth acqu'!tcd themselves in such a manner as to : ,'n the praise of competent critics, who declared that the performance had never, been excelled at Trentfaam. The iiii'.ui try and engineers did particularly well. The troops marched past with a swinging stride, and generally! won the golden opinion of the spectators. The Sixth then formed up in a hollow square, and a short religions service was held. Chap-lain-Captain T. G. Chapman (Methodist) read a psalm; Chaplain-Major \V. Shirer (l'reshvterian) offered up prayer, and the Bishop Wellington (Right Rev. Dr. Sprott) concluded by the benediction. This concluded the ceremony. His Excellency later on met the officers privately in the lecture hall, and the troops resumed their work.

By Telegraph.—Special to Daily News. Wellington, Last Night. Tlie of the .SiX'lh Reinforcements have received their training wide., conditions of difficulty- They were called into camp just about the time when the "Treivlham scandal" was be-, ginning to have a disturbing influence upon the troops, as well as upon tlie public, and they are departing at the moment when conditions are being improved very rapidly. Hut tor all that they are the best body of troops that New Zealand ha-> sent away. That is the opinion of experienced officers, who have the handling of all the sections of 'the expeditionary forces. The recruits were of u particularly good stamp. Ju the first instance they included a large pruportiuii of earnest voun_r fellows, who had responded to the call of duty rather than to the longing for adventure, and tlu-y took their training seriously. Their conduct in camp and outside has been particularly good from ithu start. Then they have received the attenlijn of a training stalf which has improved "out if .-light,' 1 owing In tho experience actpiired during the Inst twelve month.-, ami. fjnallv, the., have had Hi.- advantage ..f the tradition ami e»pril de cr-rp; that now belong to the expeditionarv army. The Sixth were on parade at Treiithani to-day on Iho oecasien of a farewell via/it 1,-v.the <io vernor, who was accompanied by the leading member., of the National Ministry, and ii brave show tliey made. Tinmen are big, blown, and hard, ami thev work like eager athletes. The companies and s.|U:idrons are miils not collection- (if individuals; they know their job and I heir officers and themselves. This is not said ill disparagement of (he; splendid forces thai New Zealand has sent awav h.-foie. for ever, draft habeen a credit to Ihe Dominion. hut il ! is a simple fact that the --_.v~t.-in and! its output, have been improvlmr stead- j ily, and thai ilie f-i-_tl_ represent IhH best result that the Defence aulhnri-i ties have yet produced. Wellington villi have an opporl.unitv to -..e the men in their marehine kit io-m,n..w. The; Sixth Kcinfoveemcn'.-. an I the units; (hat are a.-ioclnlcd w.'lli it. will march' through !h...,!rc.15. (The eoneai-'n.n , \'. this paragraph j. cm-wed. -Ed.) V....j censor-hip, by, the way, appear-j

•■■'.ill I. have u <lim sort i.f : notion that liinviMiifufii of this k'n.li wii'flil not to li,' meiitioiiwl, hut 11k- 1 rule, i! it- can he etilK-.l a nil.?, do.'- ' not appear to lie honored bv anyli.vly., Tt is no secret that the Sixth Reinfor.e ments, include a particularly !ar<re peroontaeo of ■'mounted" men, wTO, vtion tjhay leave Nlcw Zealand, lal.o no liorsc-S. the noenmiilate.l supply in T'lyvpt being ample ftftd moro| *,haii amj>h>