UNDER SHELTER

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21231, 30 September 1940, Page 7

UNDER SHELTER

SECOND ECHELON UNITS ORGANISATION OF SPORT COMPETITIVE PROGRAMME (From the omefal Correspondent Attached to the New Zealand Forces in Britain.) ENGLAND, Sept. 28 The majority of the troops of the Second Echelon are comfortably accommodated in billets near their forward base, which is in southern England. Some of them are living :n vacant houses, other in the parish hall, barns, lofts, oasthouses, apple sheds, unused stables, other farm buildings and hop-pickers’ huts. When the force first took up position in the field, it bivouacked, as had been customary on training exercises, but when orders were received for an indefinite stay in the front line area it was made a first consideration to get all ranks under shelter, because, although the weather was unbroken, the autumn was hurrying on. The nights a,re already much colder and occasionally showery. Organised winter sport began this week. The force has been divided for the purpose of inter-group competitions, but first there will be preliminary competitions within the groups. Then from players in the inter-group fixtures, which start the week after next, New Zealand Army teams will be selected at least in Rugby and hockey. Important to Keep Fit The general officer commanding, Major-General Freyberg, V.C., utattaches great importance to sport as a means of keeping the troops fit, especially when their military training has been so far advanced as that of the Second Echelon now is. The daily work programme at present provides for a minimum of four and a-half hours’ drill, including two hours’ marching, with organised games filling the balance of the day. Since the men themselves are equally anxious to keep fit, many will play more than one sport, ard the 1 competition programme has been j spread over a week to permit + his. It iis intended that the New Zealand ' teams should be selected by the end of October, and in the last week of that month to hold an athletic sports meeting, boxing and wrestling tournaments, and a swimming and diving carnival.