FESTIVE SOLDIERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1078, 17 March 1911, Page 6

FESTIVE SOLDIERS.

1 TAUHERINIKAU EN FETE. • THE GYMKHANA. There was nothing of the uoss of military (mining at the School (if Instruction "at Tauherinikau yesterday afternoon. Just as boys escaped from school throw their hats up in tlto nil', and. turn Catherine wheels on the side walks, so the men at Tauherinikau, como at last to tho end of their two months' "solid grind," cast aside dull care and made merry sport for all who might care to see. They organised a gymkhana, and if the zeal and thoroughness which marked (heir efforts in the carrying out. of their military circus.is a reliable indication of their zeal and thoroughness in sterner matters, then the countrv need have no fear for the future of the" new defence schemo The can-p was thrown open to the public for the occasion, and a. big crowd of visitors t'rjm v,ll round the countryside gathered to watch the fun of the gymkhana, which commenced at two o'clock with a most exciting tug-o'-war. In this event the honours of the pull rested with the "old soldiers," the staff-sergeants-majors, after a die-hard struggle against what appeared to be overwhelming odds. They were all but pulled over the mark by the officers' team, and the first signs of victory only appeared as the last inch of rope wavered above tho mark. After that, "a long pull and a strong pull" saw the reluctant officers' dragged to defeat. A similar fate befel the instructors' team. Tilting at tho ring provided an interesting display of horsemanship and swordplay. The ring was placed rather high, onlv one man, Sergeant-Instructor Manoncy, being at all successful. Some of tho horses, too, shied at the ring posts, making a successful point out of the question. The Hag race, where competitors, riding bareback, had to pick up rows of little flag-poles stuck into the ground, was won by Staff-Sergeant Moonoy, though it was actually won by "Number 10," a wiso old troop horse, which did,its work as if it understood the business thoroughly. Tilting the bucket was comedy, and broad comedy at that. A bucket full of water was suspended from a beam, tind tho tiller, armed with a long pole, was wheeled in a. barrow by his companion in the contest under the beam, the object being to tilt the bucket so tliat none of its contents fell upon the tilter or his "chauffeur." The thing looked easy, but, despite the fact, several hardy filters and their "chauffeurs" received an impromptu bath. One joker wheeled' his barrowload of humanity right, up to and under tho bucket, and then fled the spot. The occupant of tho barrow, and ho was no sylph, received a. full complement,, of water. Lieutenant Hudson carried off tlio honours for this event. There were also costume races, obstacle races, and "tho greasy pig." Just after the show commenced a garish-looking company, masquerading as members of a pipers' band, marched along the parade ground, in full view of the spectators, and back again. Their advent was hailed .with shrieks of laughter. Tho "rabbit stalk" was another amusing farce, got up as a skit on tho advanco in attack, and also as a lefthanded compliment to a certain huntsman —whoso name must not be mentioned— who fired away 52 cartridges before he killed a rabbit. At night a grand cump fire carnival look place, the proceedings furnishing a fitting climax to the burlesques o{ the afternoon. The results of the various afternoon competitions were as follow:— Tilting at the Ring.—Sergeant-Instruc-tor Malumey 7 , Spar Boxing.—Staff-Sergeant-Major Cuff, Flag Race.—Staff-Scrgt.-Major Mconey. Sack Race.—Lieutenant Banks. Tilting at the Bucket.—Lieutenant Hudson. Costume Race—Gunner Rowe. Obstacle Race.—Sergeant-Instructor Mahoncy. Greasy Pig.—Gunner Wtthcr.aH. Tug-o'-war.—Won by the Stalf-Sergeant-Major's team. Tho General Office Commanding the Forces (Major-General A. J. Godley, C.8.), with his staff, was present during the festivities, and also the visiting district commanders, officers commanding the regiments, and others.