CONTINUOUS TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 8

CONTINUOUS TRAINING

IN FORCE AT OTAKI

TERRITORIALS' GOOD BESPONSE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

OTAKI, Friday.

The first seven days' continuous parades for Territorials at Otaki are now in progress, and appear to be working most satisfactorily, although there are employers who are being caused a deal of inconvenience. The instructors — Lieutenant Wales, M.C., N.Z.S.C., vSergt.-Major Peare, N.Z.P.S., and Captain Pirimi Tahiwi—are, however, doing all they can to meet requirements, and, in consequence, complaints have been reduced to a minimum.

The lads under training are very keen, and are enjoying their exercises'. Squad drill, arms drill, physical training, marching, musketry instruction, and lectures have, so far, been the order.of the- day. The lads commence at 8.30 a.m., continue till noon, start again at 1 p.m., and finish at 4.30. At intervals each day 'sports are indulged in. They have all been supplied with uniforms, web equipment, and new rifles, of the latest pattern. They appear on parade spick and span, and, to the credit of themselves and their instructors, have made fine progress. On Wednesday the first practice in shooting was given, and the lads now go on to classification. Colonel Melville, Colonel Commandant, commanding Central Command, addressed the lads on Friday, and in pointing out that while he himself deSired to see as much training as possible done, stated that the seven days' continuous parades were submitted for the nightly parad.es throughout the year. Whether the system would be an advantage, remained to be 6een. It was desired to make the lads as efficient as possible; and he asked them to pay heed to their instructors, and put heart and soul into their work. It was easily seen that most of the lads were triers, and he hoped the dull ones would try and pull themselves together. In Otaki the Territorials and Cadets had been handicapped by having only a 6mall drill hall, and had not had the same facilities as ■ lads in other places. The marching of the: local lads, he said, was good; most of them seemed willing, and he implored alKto do their best. If they had- a thing "to do, he advised them to. do if to the best of their ability. He. was pleased to see ' the scores for the Challenge Shield, and to know that Otaki was twelfth on the list out of 100 entries. He hoped they would get into the prize list, but even if they failed, they must remember they were competing against thousands. If they got into the prize list, even if low down, it would be a very creditable performance. Tho local lads had the satisfaction of knowing that they had beaten the best team from the Wellington College, which was a feather in their caps. He was pleased with the local lads' shooting, and hoped it would be possible for them to jjjet more practice and be able to enter for the competition again next year. To shoot well they } would have to lead clean, healthy lives! There were two reasons for military training : First, in case our country or the British Empire as a whole was in danger. All must be prepared to fight, although he hoped they would not be called upon. Training often obviated a war. Secondly, training made them better citizens and better sports. He then referred to the training done by the All Blacks preparatory to meeting the Springboks. Their style of training, was similar to that for Territorials and Cadets. He asked that all be steady on parade, and pointed out that the steadiest man made the best worker. There would be another week of continuous training later, . and he hoped to see. all the lads who had already drilled attend again.