DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 28

DEFENCE NOTES

News of Rank and File UNITED SERVICES CLUB

(By

Liaison.)

About 70 officers attended at the United Services Club on Thursday evening to hear a lecture on “Gas” by Captain W. G. Gentry, N.Z.S.C. The nest lecture on this year’s programme is one of more than usual interest. Mr. Max Riske, M.A., last year paid a visit to Soviet Russia, and on Thursday, June 18, will tell members something of wbat he saw during his travels in that country and of the impression be gained. Mr. Riske had the great advantage of being able to speak the Russian language, and so his impressions of life there to-day will be much more real than those of an ordinary traveller. In Camp.

C Squadron of the Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles went into camp at Gisborne last Saturday with a strength of 12 officers and 72 other ranks. This squadron is well known, for the excellent type of horse its members always take to camp, and this year is no exception. Major G. S. Wilson is in command of the camp. Major-General Sir William Sinclair-Burgess, K.8.E., C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., and Colohel I. T. Standish, C.M.G., D. 5.0., inspected the squadron on Thursday. The first of the pay-out parades for the Taranaki Regiment were held this week. So far, tbe Okaiawa, Kaponga, Eltham, Tariki and Stratford platoons have received their pay. For some months past a committee of officers of the Ist Battalion, the Taranaki Regiment, have been engaged in preparing a first issue of the new regimental magazine. This issue will "cover the past history of the regiment, and will make special mention of the recent presentation of colours. It is honed to publish the mazagine within tbe next month, and it will appear under the name of “Primus in Armis,” which name has been adopted for the regimental motto. The Wellington Regiment.

At the monthly meeting of officers of the Wellington Regiment, held at the United Services Club, the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Saunders, D. 5.0., V.D., spoke on past achievements of the regiment and its future. Reference was made to the approval by the War Office of the alliance with the_York anti Lancaster Regiment (the old 65ths), and the acceptance of appointment as honorary colonel of the regiment by Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G. . An unofficial alliance has been effected -also with H.M.S. Wellington, stated Lieut.-Colonel Saunders. When the sloop first arrived on this station, the regiment had made immediate contact and had presented the ward room with an enlarged replica of the regimental badge mounted on native woods. This was very deeply appreciated by Commander J. E. B. Hall, R.N., and officers of H.M.S. Wellington, who had in turn returned the compliment by presenting a beautifully mounted ship’s badge to the regiment. It was felt that this happy liaison had cemented still another bond with the senior service. It was also announced by Lieut.-Colonel Saunders that his period of command of the regiment had expired, and that he was about to transfer to the reserve of officers. Genuine regret will be felt by every member of the regiment, and, indeed, throughout the whole of the 2nd New Zealand Infantry BriMilitary custom precludes any eulogistic and personal reference to the splendid work achieved, but it is sincerely hoped and believed that in relinquishing command of the regiment Lieut.-Colonel Saunders will maintain the same enthusiastic interest which has meant so much to the many soldiers who have had tbe privilege of serving under him.

Bands and Marches. By the last English mail, Warrant Officer H. Baker, bandmaster of the Wellington Regiment’s military band, received the’ score of the regimental march of the York and Lancaster Regiment, together with a request for permission for the latter unit to play tbe march of the Wellington Regiment on suitable occasions. , , , At present the Ist Battalion York and Lancasters is on duty in Egypt, and the 2nd Battalion has returned from service in India, so that in the regimental alliance and interchange of regimental marches, the city of Wellington’s oo regiment is doing much to make the name Wellington well and favourably known throughout the world. Another important overseas contact hag been made in that the Highland Pipin'- Societv of Scotland—the fountainhead and authority of Scots piping the world over —has graciouslv supplied the pipes and drums of the Wellington Regiment with official music and tutors for the younger players. In a most encouragin'- Tetter from the secretary, the Highland Piping Society has promised to take a personal interest in our pipes and drums. Pleasure was expressed in noting that ex-members of many Scottish regiments are now actively nlaying as regimental pipers or drummers.