ENTHUSIASTIC TERRITORIALS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 2

ENTHUSIASTIC TERRITORIALS

THE TAKAPAU CAMP. OFFICERS CARRIED SHOULDER HIGH. The Ist and 2nd Battalions, 9th Regiment East Coast Rifles, haye just concluded a very successful camp "at 'Takapau, 12 miles from Waipukurau, Hawke 6 Bay. The second battalion includes the H Company from Petone^and the E Company, which takes in Lower Hutt, Eastbourne, Trentham, and Upper Hutt. The men have all come back thoroughly well pleased with their first camp experience under the new Defence Act, and the only complaint heard is that the time allowed for the camp — one week — was too short. It was just sufficient for them to become acquainted with the elementary exercise*} such.'a* squad drill, skirmishing, etc*., and * to give them a liking for the more advanced and interesting work. The-Ter-ritorials are, therefore, looking forward with much eagerness to 'next year's encampment. So willingly did all work, and with so* much spirit, that the men have become sufficiently advanced in. the first principles, ancT will bo able to'indulge in the higher branches next year .ft The officers 6peak in the highest terms of the satisfactory way in which the men worked. Geueral Godley and' his staff paid a visit of inspection on Friday afternoon last, and congratulated the men on j their smart appearance. Amusements, though they were not allowed to interfere with the actual train- I ing, were given in abundance. There was a piano in, the camp, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings enjoyable camp-fire concerts were held. A reading room was provided by the V.M.C.A. On Saturday afternoon a sport's meeting was held, various military events being included In tlio programme. In the physical drill competition, the Petono men came third, and with the Hutt men 1 they performed creditably in the remaining events. The camp commander was Colonel Hislop (Napier), who was in charge of No. 1 Battalion, and he was assisted by Colonel Charters (Greytown) in charge of No. 2. Both officers, and particularly Colonel Charters, made themselves exceedingly popular among the men, which popularity culminated on Saturday evening in a display of enthusiasm which must be unique in New Zealand. While the officers were at mesa they noticed the full company marching down upon their tent in- perfect order and headed by a band. The men halted outside' the tent, and the senior non-commissioned officer went in and asked permission to speak to Colonel Charters. The colonel had no sooner got outside when he was lifted off hi» feet, raised shoulder high, and carried through the linas to -the singing of " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," ajid i amid iinexampled enthusiasm and cheering he was taken back to the tent. This was not done, however, until the colonel had addressed the men, congratulating thorn upon the splendid spirit they had sjiown throughout. A similar experience befel each of the, romainiug officers, who in their turn, word all loudly cheered. Although such a remarkable display might not be permitted under strict military law, the officers; one and a 11,.' entered, into the spirit of the thing,' and wore highly pleased at the display of such goodwill. Camp was struck at 8 o'clock on Sunday morning, and special trains conveyed the men to their various destinations. The Lower Hutt and Pelone Territorials arrived hbnie about .7 o'clock the same evening. They were well provided for on the' way down. The tatal strength of the camp wae about 1100 men.