AUCKLAND GUNNERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 106, 1 November 1909, Page 8

AUCKLAND GUNNERS.

"A GROSS INSULT TO THE MEN." CAPTAIN KNYVETT'S STATEMENT. Captain Knyvctt, officer in charge of the sixty gunners from the Auckland Garrison Artillery Volunteers, was seen by a Post reporter to-day with reference to the report that his men had walked into the training camp of the Petone Navals at Fort Kelburne without notice and in defiance of the rules and regulations. Captain Knyvett characterised the statements made as " a gross insult to the Auckland Garrison Artillery." He ndded that the Aucklanders came as the result of several pressing invitations. At the Easter manoeuvres in Auckland there were several of the Petone Naval officers present, and it was then proposed that tho Auckland men should come down to Wellington on the first opportunity offering, and see the crack Petone corps, which had so often managed to beat the Auckland corps, at work. It was decided then that the Aucklanders should visit their Peton^ rivals on the first occasion that they went into camp. Six iveeks ago Captain Knyvett wrote to Captain Ellis, asking would it be convenient for the Auckland men to come down for this encampment. A reply was sent back that tho Petone Navals would be delighted lo welcome the Aucklanders. An effort was then made to secure railway passes for the visiting men, but without avail. Not to disappoint them, however, it was decided that the gunners should put in 10s per man towards expenses, and the two officers made up the remaining £98 between them. On Tuesday night they telegraphed to Petone officers, asking if they were still ready to receive them, and a telegram was sent back by Captain Ellis to the effect that his corps would be delighted to receive the visitors. A letter was also sent to Colonel Robin, asking could the men travel from Auckland in uniform; but no reply was received. A PETONE WELCOME. On arrival the visitors were met by two Petone Naval officers and were informed that no arrangements had been mad© to meet them because Colonel Robin had informed them that the Auck^ land men had not been able to make arrangements to come, as the department had refused to issue railway passes. "The Petone Navals put us up, and treated us splendidly," said Captain Knyvett, "but the statements published are fabrications. We did not come down to knock the crack gunnery corps 'kite high in a big gun shot,' as published, and we did not come unknown to the Petone Navals. We had no thought of a, gunnery competition, but came lo study the conditions under which the, Petone men work, and to sco why they have been able to beat us. We are quite satisfied. The Pelono Navals possess a thoroughly up-to-date equipment, while ours is antique and will not bear comparison. But we have profited by our visit, and enjoyed it, despite the published statement that we go homo sorely disappointed."