WEEK IN CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 73, 27 March 1930, Page 18

WEEK IN CAMP

19TII .BATTERY- RETURNS

On Monday, the' 19th (Medium) Battery, K.Z.A., returned from a very successful week's camp at Waipukurau. The battery,,was under the command of Major X.' W. Fenton, who had with him the following officers: Captain Jenkins, Lieutenant Powles, and Second Lieutenants .Bullock, Williams, and Fitzgerald. Captain Loekhart, Lieutenant Moore, and Second Lieutenant Eogors were also in camp, while Major Walton, of Foxton, was again the camp padre. ■*■' "... !■■■"•

The battery was fortunate in huving, for the first time in its history, its medical officer^ Dr. Fahey, of Takapu, in. camp with it, and his efforts on behalf of the comfort of the men, together with' his genial personality, made him a welcome addition to the personnel. .-...- .

Instructing officers of the K.N.Z.A. were Jjlajor Stevens , (Camp Commandant), Captain Parkj and Lieutenant Gallagher.. -.. "'■■:•' . ; ..•■; ' < The glorious East-. Coast sunshine and the warm hospitality of the residents of Waipukurau and district made the camp a very enjoyable.one. Before tho arrival of- the main body of tho battery, the officers and N.C.O.'s had the advantage of a three days' course of instruction, with the result that the work was slightly more advanced than last year, tho battery proceeding to manoeuvre upon the second day of training. Friday and Saturday were spent upon the '.'shoot" with live- ammunition, and, considering that almost without exception the- officers and N.G.O.'s were, consequent upou re-iOrganisatioh;-all -filling positions quite new -to .theinj- the results were remark.ably good. On Saturday night the battery-field "a: dance in the- municipal hall, which proved to be one of the best over held. This was largely due to the kindness of tho lbcal,,residents in leaving no stone unturned to make the dance a success. On Sunday afternoon opportunity was taken to return in some smair measure the hospitality of Wavpukuiau,; when -an .entertaining sports meeting was held. The following .were'the events and the winners: Tug-of-war: Headquarters v. rest of, the battery. Won by the battery. Musical chairs on horse-back: Q.M.S. Hetherington. 100 yards sprint: Gunner Furlong. Apple bobbing: Gunner Butler. Sack race: Gunner Watson. Potato race:, Gunner Whitehead. Obstacle race: L/Sgt. Perry. Musical chairs: Gunner Whitehead. Band ■race: Bandsmen Jones and Houehen. Tug-of-war: 19th: Battery, v. 17th Battery N.C.O.'s. Won by 17th Battery. A gloom was cast over the camp by the unfortunate accident which occurred on Saturday night, but it is now reported that the fivo men who were injured aro doing well and will all be out of hospi 41in a week. Tho sympathy of all members of the battery is extended to the injured men and their relatives, also to Dr. Fahey.

As the training year has now practically concluded, tho 'following awards of trophies have been made: Best section: Headquarters (Lieutenant Powles). Best sub-section: "A" Subsection (Sergeant Maxwell). Most improved N.C.0.: L/Sgt. Packard. Best layer: Bom. Miller. Best tractor-driver: Bom. Smith. Best specialist: Bom. Austin. The prize for the best kept tent in. camp was won by No. 3 tent (L/Bom. Phillips, Gunners Brodie, Cor-, rie, and Klee). Tho award of the cup for the best gunner has not yet been made, as great difficulty is being experienced in coming to a decision.