TERRITORIAL ENCAMPMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10639, 18 May 1912, Page 5

TERRITORIAL ENCAMPMENT

ON SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS. A "casual" encampment of Territorials', representing men from the Stih Regiment, and indluding the districts between Petone and GAsiborne, was commenced yesterday, on the old ■Showgrounds. Last evening about 170 men were under canvas, under .the command of Major H. F. Skey, second in command of the Biittaliou, and Staff Gaptiaimfe Braddell and Skelley. It is anticipated that, .with to-day's arrivals, 200 men will make the full complement. The encampment is being held for the training of all those Territorials who have not attended any elf the previous camps during* the year, and •will continue for the regulation nine days l . During that period the men .will go through all the preliminary drilling and manoeuvring necessary in the recruit stage, and as the

grounds and surrounding country are admirably suited for military work,' a moat successful week's- operations should result.

The men are, of coturse, living in teii>ts>, and are having their mealfe in the shew buildings, which will no doubt prove a great boon to all concerned. The whole building lias been splendidly arranged, a.nd is lit up by Aerogeni gas. Sergeant Bilby, of Greytown., is in charge of this depa.rt'ment, and existing aiTangem.en.ts augur well) .for the commissariat department of the encampment, and if our young soldiers have a hard week's training in front of them, the conditions of the camp should make the week a pleasant one as well, and there is little doubt but that valuable work will be done.