ARTILLERY CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 10 February 1926, Page 11

ARTILLERY CAMP

9TH BATTERY AT FOXTON

[WIRELESS MARKING 60-POTJNDEBS IN TRAINING.

The annual camp of the 19th (Medium) Battery, New Zealand Artillery, which commenced at tho end of January, concluded on Saturday last, members of that unit returning to Wellington: by the train arriving at Thorndon at about 7.45 p.m.

The troops proceeded to their camp i>y train to Levin, thence by bus to Poxton, arriving at the racecourse at about 1 p.m. During the bus-ride from Levin to Foxton the bus conveying the officers had to draw in close to the roadside, in order to make way for a yehiele coming over the bridge crossing the Mahawatu Eiver, and got stuck by the way, whereupon the occupants had to get out and push, greatly to the amusement of the troops ia the bus jjust ahead. Another bus developed -what was at, first diagnosed as bronchitis, but "which aiterwards - turned out to be double penumonia, and it was a very ravenous party which arrived at camp half an hour later than everyone else. After lunch stores were issued and the remainder of the day was spent in getting settled down. leave was granted in the jevening, and most of the troops took Advantage of the opportunity afforded to visit Foxtop township, and become acquainted with the townsfolk, who were very hospitable indeed.

TOO MUCH EAIN.

It was regrettable that there should have been so much rain during the :,week in camp, as this considerably^ detracted from the agreeableness of the stay, and, to a certain extent, from the amount of | work accomplished. On Sunday morning the teats accommodating the padre and supernumerary offieera were found to leak very badly, and were hastily vacated, more comPortable quarters being found in the racecourse buildings. The padre, Archdeacon H. Watson, of St. Peter \ Wellington, held divine service during Sunday morning, the troops being paraded in the grandstand. In view of the fact that there were no instruments to lead the singing, the lustiness evidenced was truly remarkable and gratifying indeed. Training commenced in earnest on Monday" morning, reveille being at 5.30 «.m. The first parade was'at-6, and breakfast at 7.45 a.m. The time between parades before and after breakfast was spent in tidying up the tents, which ■were inspected daily, marks being allotted for each tent and a prize awarded to the tent having the greatest percentage of marks at the en I of the •week. After- breakfast the battery paraded at 8.45 a.m. and very good work was done until lunch time. The next parade was at 1 p.m., and dismiss was sounded at 4.30 p.m. Denims •were worn by all ranks until after the flay's work was done, but all changed into service dress for dinner at 5 p.m.

It was a condition that the amount of leave granted in/the evenings would depend on the quality of the work performed during the day, and it speaks very highly of the men that it "was not found necessary to observe any restrictions during the whole period of the camp. The keenness displayed, the progress made, and the happy relations existing between the officers and men made it a pleasure for all ranks to be in attendance at the camp.

CABABET PICTURES.

The Mayor of" Foxton invited all members of the battery to tie Municipal Picture Theatre on one evening, and his action was heartily appreciated by the troops, who attended en masse. On another evening the troops had the novel experience of attending a picture Bhow and cabaret combined, it being the practice at the Foxton Municipal Picture Theatre to clear the downstairs portion of the hall for dancing, so that patrons may dance or ■watch the screen at will. The camp was visited and inspected by Colonel-Commandant C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., officer commanding the Central Command; Lieut.-Colonel F. Bymon, C.M.G., D.5.0., Director of Artillery for the New Zealand Military Forces; and Liout.-Colonel N. S. Falla, C.M.G., D.5.0., commanding 2nd Ar* tillory Brigade, N.Z.A.; also Major S. G. Sandle, K.N.ZA., and Major O. H. Mead, D.5.0., Staff Officer in charge No. 5 Eegimental District, Wellington. The men were washed at their work, and the results of the shooting were observed. In an address to the battery afterwards, Lieut.-Colonel Symon commended the men for their smartness and accurate shooting.

WIBELESS MARKINCh

A particularly interesting feature of the shooting at this camp was that ■wireless telegraphy was used for the first time in New Zealand to signal reiults of the shooting from an observation post in front, back to the guns. By utilising wireless it is possible to control a battery from a considerable distance, without the necessity of laying telephone wires and when out of Bight of the guns altogether. The wireless sets used were extraordinarily compact, three men being able to transport all the gear required. Two minutes after erection of the sets, communication was established with the battery six miles away. The officers in charge of the wireless were Lieutenants Ashbridge and M'Bryd.e. This year the battery Tan its own canteen, with the result that a nucleus of a battery fund was formed after paying expenses which in other years had to be met by subscription from members of the unit.

THE SPORTS.

On the Friday afternoon, in spite of Inclement weather, the battery "at home" was held. The sports included an officers' race (won by - Captain JTarr), tugs-of-war on horseback and. on foot, ana wrestling on horseback, followed by a demonstration of a 60----pounder gun drawn by a tractor going into action, several ioundß of ammunition being fired.

On Saturday morning camp was struck, and just before leaving a short address was given by Lieut. Morris, who expressed the satisfaction of all the officers at the results achieved, and the high degree of efficiency attain-

Captain Farr, who was cheered by. the men, also made a few remarks, and cheers were then given for all the officers. The officers attending the camp were: Lieut. A; D. Morris (commanding), Lieut. A. V. Jenkins, Captain Fan-, Lieut; C.S. Duff, B:N.Z.A., actingaajutant, Lieuts. G. S. Kirker, W. G. C. Ashbridge, M. J." B. M'Bryde, and Padre H. Watson. Prizes were awarded as follows: — Best section, light section, Lieut. Morris, cup; best sub-seetior, "A" sub., Sgt. Powles, cup; best gunner, Gunner J Bowles, shell, case; best layer, Gunner H. W. Beed, shell case; best 'driver, Driver S. M. Collins, shell case; beat etaff, Sgt. A. A. Forbes, shell case; most improved n.e.0., L.-Sgt. Clark, shell case; best turned-out gunner or driver, J. C. Upham, shell case; bestkc»>t tents, first, R. 14, Bombardier F. Lcckie, 30s A.C.; 2nd, L. 14, Bombardier Moore; meritorious work, Driver S. J. Wonnocott, shell case; most-improv-ed recruit for year, F. C. Priest, shell ease.