AT CAMBRIDGE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 101, 30 April 1914, Page 2

AT CAMBRIDGE

(Dl tDLEGIUPH.-i-IUSS 'iSMJCIUION.) CAMBRIDGE, 291h April. Tlte total number in camp lu-chn is Oo officers. 1800 men. and SOO Iwn-ch Tho arri\ala to-day were: A Ballei'>. VieW Arlilleiy, CO atrpjig, and the loth

(North Auckland) Regiment. !201. The weather continues good, and the men are Fettling down to work splendidly.' After the day's work various gainee aro indulged in, football being the i'avourito pastime. To-morrow, only a few anivalf are expected, but, on Friday, large numbers wib arrhe. making the full complement. All the cpmp arrangements are working satisfactorily. The food Mipplice are good, and the men nre availing themselves freely of the facilities for reading and writing provided by the SalNation Army, C.E.M.S., and V.M.C.A. There will probably be special trains from all parts for next Thursday's inspection by General Hamilton. IMPROVED WEATHER. The improvement in the weather which set in yesterday continues. The night was fine but cold, being the chilliest yet ppent in camp. The men accordingly made good use of their blanketß, and, but for feeling somewhat chilly in Some cases where blankets were insufficient, spent a eomfot table night. This morning broke gloriously fine, with a decided bite in the air, and when reveille sounded the tioops were not slow in'getting about hi order to get the blood into proper circulation. At 6.3odift'erent companies were to be seen doubling up and down the parade ground getting themselves warm. Breakfast was served at o. quarter to 8, immediately after which the troops set out for their respective areas to do their training. The ] mounted men took a step forward this I morning by commencing squadron drill, the 2nd and 6th Regiments proceeding to the neighbouring areas and the 9th Regiment over to Price's property, at Mangatewai. on the foothills of the Huahinee. Tho 11th Infantry Piegiment has also reached a further stage in its training by commencing battalion drill on the infantry parade ground inside the camp area. ALTERED SYSTEM. Up till a few weeks ago the whole of the infantry regiments in Now Zealand were made up of eight companies of about 100 men per company. Tho eight companies in each regiment have now been reduced to four, forming four companies of 200 men eiich. the idea being that each company thus makes ti more formidable fighting force than two smaller companies of the same strength under the old system. To-day, accordingly, is the first time that any battalion in the Wellington district has been drilled in four companies. The lllh Regiment comprises 800 men, and as it moves about the parade ground it presents a fine sight. MUSKETRY COURSE. Those men who have not completed their musketry course are now engaged in fulfilling their obligation on the camp rifle range, while on the same spot instruction is also being given in Maxim gun drill under Captain Rose. Divisional Musketry Instructor. MORE TROOPS FOR CAMP. The whole camp is now in readiness for the reception of the big body of troops nrnving to-morrow. Vn all 2934 men and 3? hovses are expected, these comprising four _ battalions of infantry, two field batteries, one mountain battery, one company of engineers, and field ambulance infantry. The battalions coming are the sth Regiment (Wellington City), 7th Regiment (WellingtonWest Coast), and tho 2nd and 9th Regiments (Wellington - East Coast ftjid Hawkos Bay). These will bring the total infantry brigade in camp to over 3000 men. The kinematograph show which is being run nightly in camp is being so extensively patronised that the proprietoi decided to double the peatilia capacity. There has been marked diminution in the number of men going into Takapau at night, the amusements provided in ctimp evidently being a greater dra\V i than Takapau tovuiship. situated two miles and a-half distant, with its one hotel und other nttrattions. Only 100 men wont into Takapau last night. DISTRESSING ACCIDENT. The encan.pmont was unfortunately marked by a distressing accident yesterday afternoon. "While Private W. BkcUstpek, of D, Squadron. 2nd Mounted Rifles, was engaged in shoeing a horse in the fariicrs hues, the animal lashed 1 out, and, eft tolling Bluckstock oi^ the I back of the head, completely stripped his scalp and flung it over his face. Fortunately, the man's skull was not injured. Blacketock was taken to the ambulance hospital, where his scalp was stitched up. He is making excellent progress, ali'd should soon bo restored to full health again, without any serious disfigurement remaining. Rifleman Lobli, ot' Wesfcbroqk, New Plymouth, developed appendicitis yesterday, and was removed to Waipukurau Hospital, to be operated on if necessary. To-day the Waipukurau Hospital authorities report that the case is a very mild one. Glorious sunsh^ie continues, with an almost cloudless sky. The ground is drying rapidly, and, With a fine night, the camp will be in excellent order for the reception of tho additional troops to-morrow.