CAMP STRUCK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 63, 15 March 1915, Page 6

CAMP STRUCK.

OUR COAST DEFENDERS. COMPLETE IfHEIR YEAR'S WORK. One of the most successful of the annual camps of the Auckland Coast Defence Infantry Detachment was concluded on Saturday morning. The men were under canvas from Friday, March 5, until Saturday, March 13, and during that time almost perfect weather was experienced, marred only by a few slight showers of rain, which did little more than slightly moisten the ground- and render the interior of the tents a. little damp and uncomfortable. With weather conditions so favourable, the excellent programme of training drawn up was carried out to the letter, and tbe men were thoroughly instructed in all branches of the soldier's profession, including those movemente, such as shamfights, skirmishing, advance parties, etc., which could not very well be accomplished In ordinary company drill.

The 350 men. comprising the detachment were conveyed to Brown's Bay, where the camp was held this year, by the members of the Auckland Motor Boat Reserve, who kindly lent their launches for this purpose. Arriving at the beach at about seven o'clock in the evening, the men immediately were marched to the camp ground about threequarters of a mile away, where the tents, 42 in number, were pitched in readiness. The arrangements were so complete that within another half-hour all the men wvre comfortably settled in their new homes, and were eagerly partaking of their rations. The following day, Saturday, was devoted mainly to section drill and similar movements, while a bathing parade, for which regular hours were set down each day, was taken advantage of by the great majority of the soldiers. Sunday was observed as a general day of rest, and in the morning the men were allowed to prolong their night's rest until 6.30, instead or rising at the usual hour, 5.30. At eleven o'clock a church parade, conducted by the Rev. W. G. Monckton, Vicar of Takapuna, was held, and after one o'clock, the time fixed for dinner, leave was given until 9 p.m. to those men who wished to return to their homes for the afternoon.

On Monday morning the men settled down to the strenuous work of the week, embracing the programme of training set out by the officer commanding, Lieut.-Colonel J. P. Stevenson. This and the following day were devoted to instruction in section and company movements, and on Wednesday the men were shown th. methods of procedure in advance guards, fire discipline, and extension. The following morning the men set out, equipped for a hard day's work, upon an attack upon an imaginary enemy at the top of a ridge to th. west of the camp.

The manoeuvres were carried out with the greatest expedition, and after the "enemy" had been completely routed, the officei_ expressed their approval of the attack generally, and pointed out to the men several mistakes they bad made in the advance. The same grouod was covered on the following day, when the attack was witnessed by tbe officer commanding the district, Colonel J. E. Hume, and Colonel G. W. S. Patterson, the Coast Defence Commander. Both expressed satisfaction with the manner in which ithe work was carried out, and in turn tbey criticised the advance oi the whole line towards the enemy_. trenches. I Colonel Hume laid stress upon the important task allotted to the section commanders in these movements, and stated that the present war had shown that the duty they were asked to perform was almost as important as that of the platoon commander.

Reveille was sounded half an hour earlier than usual on Saturday morning, in order that the work of striking camp and clearing up the ground might be accomplished as soon as possible. This done, shortly before 9 a.m., the whole battalion set off on the home road, via Takapuna, proceeding to the city by tram and ferry.

Sickness amongst the men was not very prevalent, and beyond the case of a bugler, who was admitted to the hospital suffering from poisoned lips, and perhaps a, few other cases of a similar nature, the health oi the men was good. During the first two or three day* in camp the water was of a very poor quality, and was responsible for a good deal of discomfort amongst the men. Upon a new well being 6unk, however, the difficulty was soon overcome.

Ample amusement for the men was provided in the Y.M.CA. marquee, where a piano, a gramophone, reading and pingpong table*, were much patronised.

Tho camp, as a whole, was most satisfactory, and all the more so considering that many of the territorials were obliged, on account of the war, to wear their own mufti clothing in place of uniforms, which are now in great demand for those leaving with the reinforcements.