NOTES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12480, 17 April 1906, Page 9

NOTES.

There was a phenomenal demand for the newspapers among tho volunteers at Balmoral during the Easter encampment, and the dailies which arrived from Christchurch wero eagerly sought after. A roewsboy who brought about 400 copies of "The Press" on Saturday could not sell them fast enough, and within ten minutes ot vie time he arrived every paper had been bought up. Saturday's "Truth," which was on the ground on Sunday, was only on salo tor a few minutes, when tlie supply was exhausted and a second lot also met with a keen demand. Many of the papers wero passed around from tent to tent, for the number available was insufficient to supply all the would-be purchasers. A volunteer at the Balmoral Camp seemed to labour under the delusion that he could perform "the human ostrich" trick, for on Saturday night he tried to eat a gla*s tumbler. He took a bite out of the tumbler, but his efforts to masticate the piece resulted in a lacerated mouth. Dr Little, who was with tho Amuri Mounted Rifles, was summoned and attended the man.

Mr R. H. W. Bligh, of the White Cross League, was present at the camp, and delivered addresses to the men on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Two hundred of tlio White Cross membership cards were applied for and distributed. Mr Bligh took particular interest in tbe Naval Cadets,' and ho travelled back to Christchurch in the truck allotted to them so as to have a final chat with the lads. Captain Thompson, manager or Balmoral Station, who is at present attached to the Amuri Mounted Rifles as Veterinary Captain, and who was for jome time Captain of tho Corps, was presented by tho Corps on Saturday night with a large *!*,* V I < ,*"- niounted inkstand, engraved -A.M.K., Easter Encampment, Balmoral, 1900. Two smaller inkstands were also presented to the Mieses Thompson. Captain Johnston, captain of the corps, made the presentation- In the evening the company marched up to the homestead, and the men, after expressing their gratitude for the many kindnesses they had received from Captain Thompson, gave three cheers for him. The hob weather experienced during the field firing yesterday created a great thirst among the men.. The watorbottDes having been empt-ar-d, a halt was called at a horse trough near some stables, and when the order was given to fall out a regular scrummage ensued as to who was to have the first drink. Some endeavoured to drink from the n-czzlo of a hose used for iil,!i-n_ the trough, but tho force of Uie water mis too great to allow of this being done with any success. One man found a way out of the difficulty. He p-laced the opening of hiis wateT-bott,He asaLnst the st-reaim of water, and when the bobtle was full drank from it. His example was followed by many other thirsty individuals.