UNDER CANVAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1926, Page 7

UNDER CANVAS.

CAMP AT HOPUHOPU. TROOPS SETTLING DOWN. CONDUCT VERY GOOD INDEED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star."-! NGARUAWAHIA, this day. ' The largest camp to be held at Hopuhopu, Ngaruawahia, is that of the Ist Battalion of the Auckland Regiment, 872 troops, including 2!) officers, being under canvas at tlie present time. Colonel E. | G. Eraser is in command, with Major j Porteous second in command. The ad- , jutant is Captain P. L. Villar, of the h South Wales Borderers (an exchange officer from India). Captains H. A. Warnham, G. R. Gray, Rae and Mackay, are the company commanders, with Major Baddiley representing Head- ; quarters Wing and Major Strong, battalion quartermaster. Sergeant-Major Landman is carrying out the arduous ' duties of camp sergeant-major. Included in the battalion are four reserve officers, Captain H. L. Macky. anel Licuts. J. L. H. Kayes, F. C. Cornwall and B. C. Hart, also three officers anel 12 sergeant- ' majors of the permanent staff, who are assisting in the training. A comprehensive scheme of instruction is beinrr carried out, anel although the men have been in camp only three days, they have already made rapid progress anel are able to make a good show on the parade grounds. Squad, platoon and company drill, Lewis gun practice and battle drill have been carried otit. The machine gunners marched five mile-, yesterday for the purpose of going through battle practice with ball ammunition sijrnallcrs. under an expert. Captain 11. S. Harrison, carrying out signalling instructions. On tlie fourth clay entrenching and wiring will be practiced, and on the fifth, day an outpost scheme will be executed, both by clay and night. On the sixtlt day manoeuvres will he held, with advanced guard and company in attack. Colonel Fraser and the Adjutant have planned a ••fake" battle, which promises to he exceptionally realistic. On the afternoon of the last day, athletic sports will be held. A number of trophies are in the camp some of which will be competed for. They include a shield for general efficiency, the Colman Cup for the cleanest lines in camp, tbe Buchanan Cup for the most efficient platoon, the Bloomfield Shield for route marching, the Loving Cup for the company securing the highest points in athletics, anel the Gorelon trophy for general efficiency in sections. A shield will also be presented to the company securing the highest average for athletics. The Suffolk Shield was presented to the battalion by the Suffolk Regiment, to which the battalion is allied. Colonel Fraser hopes tho battalion .\ill soon be able to present a shield to that regiment. Profits accruing from sports go into the regimental funds. 'I hero are no complaints in this camp, •which is practically free of sickness, There is plenty of good food and splendid baking facilities. Two new dining halls are just finished, eacli accommodating 450 men. There is a canteen, and the recreation side is well looked after. A special officer provides entertainment programmes. The idea is to keep the men in the capm as much as possible, there being no need for them to go out for supplies or amusements. Leave is granted in only exceptional cases. A band and an orchestra are provided. Colonel Fraser and his officers are doing everything possible for the men. Tlie colonel states that the behaviour is very gooel indeeel, anel he is surprised how quickly the troops have settled down, especially in view of the fact that many of them are youths who have never been under canvas before. The camp was visited to-day by MajcrGeneral C. Young, Ceneral Officer Commanding New Zealand Forces. He was accompanieel by Colonel H. K. Potter, Officer Commanding Northern Command. The genoTal inspected the lines and manoeuvres. On Friday the GovernorGeneral will visit the camp.