JACK ASHORE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 277, 22 November 1934, Page 5

JACK ASHORE.

PHILOMEL TRAINEES.

RANGE COURSE AT PENROSE.

THIRTY STURDY YOUTHS

"Now, I want plenty of snap in it," called the instructor as 30 lads from the Philomel lined up this morning for physical "jerks" at their camp at the Penrose rifle range, where they are completing a fortnight's course. Sturdily built and enthusiastic, for they are a representative selection from all over the Dominion, the lads needed little admonition, and they sprang to with' vim, revealing a body of youth of physical fitness of which their instructor might well be proud. Though they primarily came ashore for a range course, another idea of this initial camp for the training ship's recruits is to accustom New Zealand's sailors in-the-making to the routine associated with a landing. They are fully equipped as if they had been called ashore in an emergency, and it would only need the cookhouse to be placed on wheels to make the camp more realistic. A cup of ship's cocoa, with plenty of body in it, follows quickly after reveille at 0 a.m., and fortifies the lads for a strenuous day's . work. After the straightening up of camp all hands fall in for a three to four mile run, with the instructor setting the pace in the van. After returning to camp there is a short respite for a "breather," and then the relentless instructor calls them forth again for physical This over, they stand-to at 8 a.m. while the colours are run up on the standard in the centre of the camp.

The couple of hours' preliminary has quickened appetites for breakfast, and bacon and eggs are heartily partaken of. At 9 o'clock there is a parade and. inspection by the offictr-in-charge, Lieut.

N. V. Tliew, and then for the rest of the forenoon and the major part of the afternoon instruction and practical tests follow on the range. Considering that a full range test is a new experience for the majority, a good standard of marksmanship lias been attained.

A couple of hours are whiled away in recreation, when a paper-chase or another four-mile run further tests muscles, which now have been well attuned. On alternate nights a miniature attack on the camp is made, and a party attempts to spring a surprise attack on the defenders under cover of Penrose's rocky knolls. Piped down at 9 o'clock, there is little inclination to discuss the day's doings, for all hands, save the sentries, who maintain in relief an all-night vigil, are soon asleep. When camp is struck on Friday morning 30 line examples of physically fit lads will resume their normal training at the naval base.