ARTILLERY CAMPS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 6

ARTILLERY CAMPS.

GARRISONING THE FORTS. A WET BEGINNING. For the first time, under the new defence regulations, tho Wellington forts have beeii garrisoned by their respective companies. They havo so far been rather unlucky in the weather, but most of the men are well housed, and not undei canvas. Tho Oliiccrs Comnianding report that the men have shown excellent spirits, despite tho wot, nnil that they are looking forward to putting in good work during the week.

FORT BALLANCE. No. 9 Company arrived at Fort Ballance in tho Jniiio Heddon at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. On arrival) the first thing was a general cleaning of kit and accoutrements; tho men were then housed and were at liberty until tea-time, at 5.30 p.m. At 7.30 they were paraded for inspection, after which the Officer Commanding (Captain A. G. Hume) delivered a short address before they were dismissed. On Sunday the first parado was held before breakfast at 6.30, when an hour's good inarching set tho circulation going and defied tho cold. At 7.30 a detachment of Roman Catholics left for early Mass at Seatoun. Breakfast took place at 8.30, and an inspection on parado at 10 a.m., when the Anglican detachment left for church at Worser Bay. During the morning tho N.C.O.'s wore instructed hi handling the guns, and in the afternoon another address was delivered by the O.C.

POUT DORSET. Leaving Courtenay Place at 2.45, No. 3 Company started lor their camp, arriving at Seatoiin at 3.15, where, each man having picked out his bundle from tho freight car, felL in and ninrehod to the Tlio company with Lieutenant 11. M. Oram in command, on arriving at I'ort Dorset, got into their encampment as soon as possible. There were only, eight meii absent. Being tho only company under canvas, they naturally felt the "southerly buster" most during the night, and most of Sunday was spent getting the camp ship-shape and dry. The men, despite the rough handling they experienced from the weather, are in excellent spirits, and eager for the week's work. The Rev. W. SMrer, Chaplain-Major, kindly went out, but owing to the weather the church parade was abandoned. On Monday tho company will nave a course of instruction in signalling, in gun drill, in _ ammunition storage, and in infantry-drill.

FORT KELBURNE. Number 5 Company, 12-4 strong, under Captain E. V. Bevan, settled themselves comfortably at Fort Kelburne on Saturilny afternoon. They aro the most fortunate in their quarters, and did not experience much inconvenience from the bad weather. Many of them have been in camp before. In fact, nearly all the old hon. coins, and menof the old company are in camp, and will soon show the recruits the ins and. outs of camp life. There aro only eight absentees from camp. Surgeon-Captain. Eoss will attend the camp daily, and keep an eye on the sick list- if there is one. On Sunday a church service was held, and an address delivered by tho O.C. to his men on "Soldierly Duties and Camp Discipline." The camp was also inspected by Major D. R. Menzies and Major F. T. Courtney, both of the Wellington Garrison Artillery Division. To-day work begins in real earnest, and comprises training in the ordinary work of garrison gunners, general duties of a Goldier, guard mounting, and infantry drill. No actual firing will take place until later in the camp. The O.C. reports that the men are in excellent spirits and the new recruits are shaping very well.