TERRITORIAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 13

TERRITORIAL RESERVE

“At Home” At Trentham Today

TRAIN ING DEMONSTRATION

The Special Reserve Territorials who have been undergoing training at. Trentham for the pasl four months will be '•at home” to the public from 1.45 to 5 p.m. today. A varied programme has been prepared, including athletic events and demonstrations ot the more interesting phases of the training which the reservists have carried out.

By permission of the officer commanding, First Battalion Wellington Regiment (City of Wellington's Own), both the brass and pipe bands will attend. The brass band will, provide a musical progremme throughout the afternoon and the pipe band will give a demonstration. At 3.15 p.m. a demonstration of modern physical training will be given, including* all the latest developments in this form of training as produced by the Army School of Physical Training, Aldershot. There will also be demonstrations of signalling, firing of rille grenades and Vickers machine-guns. At -1 o’clock an event unique in the wrestling history of New Zealand will take place —a bout between the “Wellington Wild Cat” and the “Trentham Tiger,” with a running commentary by Jordan Putter, a member of the unit who has a particular flair for broadcasting. The participants are reported to be in excellent form and guarantee to give a first-class demonstration. Benefits of Training. The special reserve normally is enlisted to carry out three months’ continuous training, and in the case of the present unit this will, be followed by three mouths’ vocational training. The special reserve has a particular appeal for young men engaged in seasonal occupations. Many of those who enlisted in the previous quotas have been absorbed into the Regular Forces.

An outstanding feature of the three months’ training is the marked improvement in the physical, well-being of the men during this period. For instance, in the final medical examination held at Trenthain the average height of the soldiers had increased one inch, mainly due to improvement in their posture; their weight had increased by an average of 91b., due to good food and exercise, and their chest expansion had increased by more than two inches. New Zealand has a small Regular Force, which, in addition to providing instructors and administrators for the Territorial units, forms a nucleus of trained soldiers for immediate action in an emergency, particularly for the defence of the main ports. The special reserve at the end of the initial three months’ service are reasonably trained soldiers, ready to take their places immediately alongside the Regular and Territorial soldiers. *

On completion of this special course they are posted to either infantry or coast artillery Territorial units, and attend the usual annual camps and other training of their battalion or battery.