"The 2nd. Survey Troop”

Observation Post, Volume 1, Issue 5, 19 June 1942, Page 1

"The 2nd. Survey Troop”

“Crooks Tours” (By M.T.) A r-'cent “acquisition” to the Artillery has been the' new .“ Survey Troop” whose technical knowledge it is hoped will be of great value, to the “Gunners if, and when the time comes for us to do. our bit in defending our, native shores. -' 11 ' ’ Under the able command of Captain J. F. Tasker (affectionately called “censored” by his “boys”) the troop has just returned' from a training period in the Northern District in conjunction with .the Ist Survey Troop. True to the style of “Central Boys” the members of the troop did very well , with the', ladies ' of Pokeno while . stationed there. There is certainly ;no |

doubt , about, their , popularity. In fact the Ist Troop boys were well “Done in the eye.”. Here is part of a conversation overheard at a recent dance in the village hall at Pokeno. Girlish Voice: “Are you going away too;’what! You and You? \ Answers: “Yes.’’ r ' G.V.: Gosh! All the ’best chaps are leaving us.” Get what we mean 1.-,!.'! Let it not be thought, however, that the social side is (he only side the Troop is successful -'in.; As far as technical training •is concerned the boys dug their toes in and . certainly showed that they could make the grade. There was much keen rivalry ; between the members to make a good showing. I To return to the “Social Whirl” in 1 which the troop excells, mention must I be made of: the farewell ' dance given I

by the Troop to the' citizens of Pokeno (their daughters) shortly before the departure of the Troop for PalmerNorth. The dance was a huge success and so no doubt wei'e the farewells. As no first hand knowledge has come to hand of these partings, no mention of them can be made here. Perhaps, if readers referred to our fair headed 'gunner they ‘may obtain some information on the subject.'During the poursc'of the -dance a few of the boys sung two songs of their own composition, one of which is published® here. The other, well, let us say it is too long for publication. Here is one of the songs to the tune of “Two Lovely Black-eyes.” Sine Tangent . and Cot, Reductions and bearings and what, A humbling for us as we go away, “Midst 1 Sine Tangent and Cot. Sec, cosec and cos, ’With' Pinochio’s lassies we was, As happy as Larry but we go away, 'Midst See, cosec and cos. Cot Tangent and Sine, No traverse resection we mind, Solutions all novel and varied we get. ’Midst cot tangent and sine. Cos cotan and tan, Upset a, well prepared plan, For a very bright party on our weekend leave, cos cotan and tan.

The boys will not forget ‘ Pinochio ’ ’ very quickly and it is a good guess that the local'mail has increased considerably since ‘May 25th, 1942. The technique developed in Pokeno will now be brought into play in-’Awa-huri where the Troop has established its camp for the time being. 'Let us hope that the technique meets with equal success with the new female talent coming under the eye of the Troop. One “ gentlemen in particular we’re sure is positive that it will. Is he right? We wonder ! ! ! Red hair is an attraction we think in the Survey Troop, almost equal in its power of attraction to fair or blonde locks. Progress reports will be published, in these I pages from time to time. Tn reply to a note • in last week’s pages, let us say that our new gunner(s) “fit in” quite well. Don’t forget to watch these pages for progress reports on the “various” activities of the Troop. They will surely be interesting. '...■“ '