AN ARMY STORY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20262, 3 August 1937, Page 10

AN ARMY STORY.

SAW ENOUGH OF THEM. The true story of how an officer in a New Zealand military district attempted some years ago to impress a superior with the size of his threeman detachment is still remembered by one of the members of the detachment. The officer, hearing that the depot was to be inspected by a senior staff-officer of considerable distinction set his small force to work to tidy the place up. Game the day, and the depot commander paid' homage to the great* man at the. gate of the barracks. The visitor, having chatted affably for a while, turned to view the barracks, the gun-park, and the stables. As he entered the barrack room a roar from the O.G. depot brought three soldiers to their feet, and. after a few kindly words, the staff officer passed on. In the stables three men were grooming sleek horses, and again Hie kindly questions were asked and respectful answers received. Yet again in the gun-park three zealous gunners were polishing up the weapons. The great man paused and gazed at the weather-beaten and armywtse-looklng cnroporal whom he seemed to recognise'. Perhaps the two. officer and soldier, had served together in some distant land. “You seem to have quite a big detachment.” the staff officer remarked to the O.G. Depot, and, turning to the n.r.0.. he asked: “Where have I seen you before, corporal ?” "In the barracks and the stables, sir.” replied Hie corporal. When Hie inspecting officer had recovered his breath be asked the depot officer, in proper army style, to remove his detachment, from view. Up at any rate, had seen enough of it for nnp dnv