ANNUAL CAMP.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1937, Page 16

ANNUAL CAMP.

WELLINGTON REGIMENT

The annual training camp o:C the Ist Battalion, the Wellington Regiment, was held at-Waipukurau from February 3 to 13. Numbers were again most disappointing, but the battalion was fortunate in having perfect weather for the whole of the period of the camp. ■.*'.'•' A varied programme of training was carried out, two night operations being included. For part of the period, a Royal New Zealand Air Force machine co-operated, and all ranks had the opportunity of being exercised in anti-air-craft protection, many useful lessons being learned from the subsequent reports of the pilot. For the last two days of the training the battalion was mechanised, and as far as possible with locally-hired transport, members ef the unit were introduced to some of the problems resulting from mechanisation. . The new motor-cycle platoon was brought into the scheme of work as much as possible and some very interesting demonstrations of the ability of the motor-cycle to operate over country and up hills were given. A useful amount of riding practice was gained by some of the officers, who took advantage of a number of opportunities of trying their skill at tent-peg-ging. In accordance with past custom, the military band of the regiment and the pipes and drums gave a concert at the local theatre and at the hospital and sanitorium, and on one evening the regiment held a very successful military ball. Two welcome visitors to the camp were the Hon. W. E. Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the honorary Colonel. Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, X.C.8., K.C.M.G. Mr. Barnard spent twenty-four hours with the unit and evinced a very keen interest in all branches of the work. The honorary Colonel was the principal guest at the officers' mess on guest night.