TERRITORIAL TRAINING

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1921, Page 5

TERRITORIAL TRAINING

VISIT OF INSPECTION.

ADDRESS BY COLONEL MELVILLE

A visit of inspection in North Taia» naki was made yesterday by Colonefe Commandant Melville, C. 8., C3LG, C.deG., of the Central Military District. Last night Colonel Melville was present at a parade of A Company 4th BattaKoi (Taranaki Rifles), at New Plymouth. Hi was accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Cox (battalion commander), Majoi Leech (second in command), Captain Bremner (staff officer No. 8 regimental district), Lieutenant Andrew, V.C, (adjutant 4th battalion), and Captain Gnstaffson (adjutant 2nd W.MLR.) The company was about 109 strong, and the ‘battalion band was also in attendance. The officer commanding was Lieutenant A. Smith, and other officeri on parade were Captain Mclsaacs, Lieutenants Bertrand, Stace, and Stephenson.

After watching the progress of the training Colonel Melville inspected ths parade and then addressed the company. He congratulated the men and the instructors on the work displayed One thing noticeable, he said, was that a great proportion of the company wm exceptionally well turned out—-bettei than any territorial unit he had so ffti seen in his visits of inspection extending over the past eighteen months. the other hand there were some who. were not nearly so good, and it behoved these men to come up to the standard set. The steadiness of the parade was also good, and this was an important’ factor. They had just experienced a big war, and all those who had been, through it did not want to see At the same time the country had to< be prepared for defence, either inside or, outside their shores. If the emergency arose for home defence they would have l to call on the men a good deal earlier than was the case in the late war, and 1 preparedness was one of the objects of training. There was also another side to it, by which they hoped to make the territorials better citizens and better sports. "While the New Zealander all round was a fine sport, th© training was; to try and help them to become better, and aimed at instilling the team spirit. “We have very big ideals in New Zealand,” said Colonel Melville, "and it is possible we may be called upon to uphold Jhem, and I am certain that if so, you will do it in the same way A* your elder brothers or fathers did m. the late war.” Continuing, Colonel Melville referred with satisfaction to the fact that the company now had a, Iband again, and be said this was always a help in the training. The band was about to enter a. competition, and all would wish them every success.. Another phase in the company’s training was that they were receiving help from a number of non-commissioned officers from the Expeditionary Forces. It waa the first company he had seen which had had this benefit, and be desired to thank the men for their help. It was’ pleasing to see that the returned soldiers were taking an interest in the coming soldiers. They had beert; through the mill and would be able to give valuable help to the company During the evening Colonel Melville, made presentations of the 16 and 20! years’ service medals to Major Leech, . who has just ‘been posted to the retired ; list. He referred to the fine record of this officer, and said a great deal of credit was due to him for serving country in such a capacity for so long. In replying, Major Leech addressed a few words to the rank and file, emphasising the importance of th© work they were carrying on. Yesterday afternoon Colonel Melvuie visited, Urenni, where he inspected a parade of the 2nd Mounted Rifles, also a detachment of cadets and a detachment of the League of Frontieramen. Captain Hayhurst was in command ot the troop. Colonel Melville expressed 'himself as highly pleased with the progress that had been made, and also with the support given the movement by the residents of the district.