Page 5 Advertisements Column 1

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1915, Page 5

The Native contingent at present in training at Narrow Neck comprises 330 men, including Maoris, Niue Islanders, and Rarotongans (states the Auckland Herald). The Maoris are being drafted into the camp weekly. Splendid progress is being made with the training of the men. The start' officers are under a disability in connection with the training of the Nine Islanders in not having non-commissioned officers who under* stand both the native language and English. It is stated that when the draft arrived only one . native could speaJc English. The Niue Islanders are good workers, and when they grasp what is required of them they spring to it like trained Europeans. By dint of patience and tact, and by the use of illustrations, the staff officers have taught the Islanders the meaning of the words of command. The men are willing, and show a keenness for the work which is really admirable. It was amusing to see a squad of men, after a spell, endeavoring to pick out their respective rifles by comparing the numbers ol' the rifles with corresponding figures written on pieces of paper and kept in their caps. The excellent" progress the Islanders have made during the three weeks they have been in camp forms a striking tribute to the zeal of the men and the ability of their officers. The Rarotongans and Maori;, who are drilled in another section of the camp, are also doing well. The Maoris have taken to i the Rarotongans as to their own people,' but the feeling between the Maoris and Niue Islanders is not so cordial. This is due to the difference in language and temperament. It is expected that when they have been associated together for a further length of time they will fraternise more freely than they have yet done. i