MILITARY INSTRUCT TION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26, 1 February 1915, Page 2

MILITARY INSTRUCT TION

o . - THE CAMP AT WANGANUI The "refresher" camp of instruction at WanganuT for officers and n.co.'s of Territorials and n.c.o Cadets of the Wellington Military District concluded on Saturday morning. Tho work was carried out on a systematic basis designed to instruct the men in handling 'their units, and to ensure the standardisation of the system of training. The Camp I Commandant was Major W. C. Momson, of the N.Z. Staff Corps, "and," . said a ,n.c.o. to a Post reporter to-day, I "it would be difficult to find a man more fitted for the task, or one who could bo command the respect of the men. As the main object of the camp was to teach the officers and n.co.'s how to drill their companies or platoons, each man in turn had to go out in front of his squad, and, under the Staff Sergeant-Major's tuition, put the squad through ite drill. In this way each man was given a chance to team how to handle men, and the verdict was unanimously in favour of the system. During the first week the men Were, after physical exercise ar.d breakfast, | marched away to various parts of the racecourse (on which the Camp was situated) and put through hard drill until midday, being taught squad-drill, musketry, and so on. The same thing went on after lunch until dinner, and a lecture by Major Morrison or Colonel R. W. Tate completed the day's work. During the second week the men were marched each day to the Putiki Rifle Range, and there worked all day, having lunch on the range. Much interesting work was done, including extended order drill, musketry, and visual training, topping off with a lecture in the evening. Last week, Colonel Robin, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Defence Forces, visited the camjJ, and witnessed the various operations in progress. He took the opportunity of giving the men many points of value in extended order work and bayonet charge^ and prior to leaving expressed himself as highly pleased with the work he had seen carried out. Colonel Tate^was also greatly interested in the operations. A night attack undertaken early last Friday morning on ihe hills some miles from the town was one of the chief events of tho camp, and on this occasion those who participated did their work well. During the camp there was no lack of amusements, etc, the men being well catered foe in every respect. Before each meal all hands joined in singing a patriotic song, and when the victory of the North Sea fleet over the Germans was read out to the men on tho ranee "Sons of the Sea" was sung I with enthusiasm, and hearty cheers were given for H.M.S. New Zealand, Admiral Beatty, and all concerned in the fray. Generally the Territorials and_ Cadets who took part in the camp, which was purely voluntary, regard it as having been of the greatest benefit, both from a_ physical and an instructional point of view, and it would appear that the object aimed at— -handling of men and learning drill by both officers and n.co.'s — has been fully attained. Thfe Wangantii racecourse provided an ideal camping ground, and the hope was expressed that it would be available for tho next refresher course.