TERRITORIAL NOTES.
(By Rifleman.)
THE P. AND T. WAY. The No. 1 Co. Post and Telegraph Corps has been discussed in these notes on more than one occasion. It is probable that the position which the P. and T. lads fill in the Territorial scheme in the Auckland military district is understood by very few. It would not be difficult to discuss the administration of the Territorial scheme destructively, but one has a feeling that this sort of thing is not playing the game at the present time. That is why illogical and unintelligent situations are constantly arising, and nn obstinate Minister without any personal initiative escapes trial by public opinion which else would shrivel him. That by the way, however. The idea that got loose in this note was that the general public know very little about the Territorials anyway, so that it is not surprising they should know even less about a party of specialists like the P. and T. engineers. The intelligent people wiio read these notes (Silence) know better, however, and understand that the unit is not only highly efficient in specialised engineering work, but that its members are keen rifle shots, keen bayonet lighters; and keen followers of all that pertains to .physical fitness and athletic prowess. The company's boxing and wrestling class is carried on daily mi the company parade ground from 5 p.m. to 0 p.m. The O.C. company (Captain V. Dunne) is in personal attendance at these classes. Captain Dunne's example to his men bears out his constant precept that the essentials to success in anything arc constant practice and concentration of mind.
In connection with the social activities of the P. and T. Company, the O.C. has arranged a week-end outing for Saturday and Sunday. Sth and 6th February. Major C. K. Palmer, Motor Reserve of Officers, has placed a couple of launches at the disposal of the P. and T. Company, and it is proposed to run down to Putikl Bay, Waihekc, leaving the launch steps at 2 p.m. and returning to the city on Sunday evening.
The company's wireless plant, lamps, Hags and helios will ne brought into us?. The cost of the outing to members will be 3/- v head, which will cover rations and also benzine lor the launches. The company's tents, cooking utensils and enamelwarc (plates nnd mugs) will be taken, but each "member should take a rug, singlet and pair of shorts, knife, fork and spoon, bathing togs and towel. WAR DECORATIONS. In the present campaign the Corps of New Zealand Engineers has gained the distinction ol securing more decorations 10 date, in proportion, than any other I unit. The tola', included one Victoria Cross, three .Military Crosses, one D.S.O. and six D.CM.'s. ( urporal Bassett has I the V.C., I'nptani L. M. Shorn, the Hon.
(.upiain Busier, and Lieutenant A. N. Oakoy the Military Cioss, and Captain F. Waite' the D..-..0. Amongst those sappers who have earned the D.C.M. is Kennetn Watson, an Auckland boy. He gained the honour for braierv in removing barbed wire entanglements and rescuing an olhcer under fire. Hurry Kriokcr, the notabic league footballer, was with Watson or, that occasion, and he also distinguished himself by. completing a very difficult bit of work after his officer had gone. A little later in the engagement Scrgt. Rintoul (formerly of the No. ." Company, N.ZJS.), took forward a party to complete the work, facing n heavy fire. Fortunately the job had bver. finished before Sergeant Rintoul's men arrived, nnd so the Corps was sand an even heavier bunch of casualties. POINTS FROM PATRICK. Points from Patrick of the first Royal Dublin lumbers as to kit and treatment ol officers, published a week or two ago, have since ucen followed up by a few'remarks from the same soldier on the matter of personal cleanliness, Patrick at tho time was still in Mustapha Pasha Convalescent Camp at Alexandria suffering from wounds in the vicinity of the spine received a few days after the landing from the River Clyde., ln the field, Patrick said, the strict officer.should accept no excuse from a man who was not a "clnnc nnd dacent soldier." He told a story against himself. After preliminary struggles on the beach with light wire cutters and barbed wire of a particularly heavy gauge, .Patrick joined his machinegun section. For three or four days their spell on duty at Helles was practically continuous. Then Patrick was posted as dispatch carrier. He reported. Patrick's account of the dialogue between himself and the colonel of the regiment was as follows:—
The Colonel: "Who arc you?" "Patrick Redmond, sir," says 1, "beggin' your pardon, sir. dispatch carrier First Royal Dublin Fusiliers."
"What do you mean by coming before mc unshaved?" says he.
"Well sir, beggin' your pardon, sir, I have been working with my machinegun."
"No excuse;" says he. "for not being a 'clane and dacent soldier.'"
"No, sir," says 1, saluting proper. Therefore, although they" were in continual peril, it was considered necessary in the interestsof discipline to be clean and tidy. The 'colonel' found time to shave, and so Patrick decided that, of course, the colonel must be right. What the colonial would have said'under the circumstances'one may not venture to say, but to apply the incident locally. Returned soldiers- are, as a rule, particular about their personal appearance. Some are anything but particular. It is a point that-might be mentioned when those Returned Soldier Association badges arc issued.
The establishment of a permanent camp band at Trenthanf has been desired for a long time by both "officers and men. Permission has now been" granted by the Defence Department • for a band of this character, to consist of 15 members, under Staff Sergeant-Major Cox, who has trained the various ReinforceT ments' bands during the past fourteen months. -The number of members is hardly sufficient for a full band, and assistance will be given by members of Reinforcements in camp from time to time. At the present time the 11th and 12th Reinforcements are in camp at Trentham, and' the extra members required for the permanent band-will be drawn from them. At the same time these Reinforcements arc training bands of their own, and their requirements in the way of instruments are to be filled before those of the permanent band.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 29, 3 February 1916, Page 8
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1,053TERRITORIAL NOTES. Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 29, 3 February 1916, Page 8
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