GENERAL CODLEY AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 June 1911, Page 3

GENERAL CODLEY AT TE AWAMUTU.

General Godley (Commandant of N.Z; Territorial Forces), Mrs Godley and Captain Thornton arrived in Te Awamutu on Tuesday, having come from Cambridge in order to catch the Main Trunk express en route for Wellington. Interviewed by a representative of the WAIPA POST at his rooms at the Te Awamutu Hotel, the General expressed great pleasure at the scenic beauty of Te Awamutu. He had visited as many of the historic spots 8f the Maori war as his time would permit, one receiving his special attention being the military cemetery at St John's Church. The tablets and tombstones erected to the memory of fallen troopers were commented upon as well worthy of special care being taken for their preservation, The General expressed pleasure in the interest shown locally to further the scheme for compulsory military training. The scheme is receiving the support of every true citizen throughout the country, and the Department is doing all in its power to make the arrangements so as not to interfere with the commercial interests of any district. In farming districts the annual encampments are being held in the winter. A matter not generally understood was made thoroughly clear respecting the senior cadets.: This section does not have any annual encampment, so parents have no cause to hesitate to allow their boys to enter the Cadet Section. The General expressed surprise at their being no rifle club in the district. In the afternoon the General honoured the Te Awamutu School Cadets with a visit of inspection. The lads acquitted themselves so satisfactorily in their field movements under the command of Sergt.-Major Hatt that the General was highly pleased. In the course of a very encouraging address to the Cadets he expressed his pleasure at seeing a corps at Te Awamutu, and assured them that the training they were at present undergoing, would play a most important part in their subsequent career. He strongly advised them to continue the good work which had been begun. He then requested the Headmaster to grant to the boys a half-holiday by way of his personal appreciation of their efforts. '