MILITARY COMPETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 228, 24 September 1918, Page 2

MILITARY COMPETITION.

A NEW TEST INITIATED. NIGHT MARCHLNG DISCIPLIXE. A highly interesting military competition commenced last night, when teams representing four local territorial and senior cadet units engaged in a night marching contest under special conditions that were designed to test every quality of the competing troops. The contest was organised by Major Sir Kobert Walker, chief general staff officer at Auckland, who acted as chief umpire, assisted by Major 11. Peacock, Captain W. Q. Kewish, Captain S. Mellows, Captain Dow, and Lieut. J. D. .Campbell. The total number of marks to be awarded was 100, and five marks were to be deducted for every twenty-five yards between the teams' finishing point and the proper objective, one mark taken off for every minute over the time limit of three quarters of an hour, and other deductions for missing men, faulty marching, discipline, and ttie like. Tlie work done last night ehowed that the (scheme has the highest possibilities as a means of training the men in many qualities invaluable in active service conditions. It was sta-ted by Major Sir Robert Walker that the troops displayed an excellent sense of discipline, und that on the whole, and although two of the teams went astray owing to miscalculated bearings, the work showed that the troops were potieeased of the best qualities. He stated that he wae particularly pleased with the way in which the senior cadet team worked in spite of the very bad country that had been encountered.

The winning team was that from A Hattery, N.Z.F.A., under Lieutenant C. West. The other three competing teams were from No. 3 Field Company, N.Z. Kngineers, in charge of Lieutenant AuUley; Divisional Signal Company (Lieutenant McPhereon), and B Area, 1 No. 1 Group, Senior Cadets, representing St. Stephens, and the 2Cth and 30th Companies.

At the conclusion of the competition the troops were taken to a near-by farmhouse, where they were given hot coffee. It wae noticeable that the whole competition was evidently enjoyed by the young fellowe, and, although sonic of them had had some rather trying times, the spirit of adventure with which the undertaking was imbued, aud the fascination of the conditions generally, served to keep them in the beet of spirits. The competition, for which Walker has promised a silver challenge cup, will be continued on Thursday night, when four other teams will take part.