A CAVALRY CAMP

Evening Star, Issue 14513, 3 November 1910, Page 3

A CAVALRY CAMP

AT WAITATI. DISCIPLINE AND CONTENTMENT. The First Regiment, Otago Mounted Rifles, 315 strong, are encamped like Bedouins at Waitati, practising amidst the peace that attracts honeymooning couples what might have to bo done amidst the shocks of. war. ’ And after five davo of it the troops are in great fettle. The' five squadrons pitched their tents last Saturday night, rested (comparatively speaking) on the Sabbath Day, smoothed out a few Toughnesses and entered with zest into hard training on Monday, became hardened to camp life on Tuesday, and in the mood to speak well of everything by Wednesday, when a ‘ Star ’ reporter crossed tho fines like a spy. The encampment is not on ground that is ideal for regimental training of cavalry ; the paddocks are not as Salisbury Plain; the area of level ground is very limited ; and formers and cottagers know that military men dare not cut fences in piping times of prosperous peace. The powers that be, however, probably knew their business when they selected Waitati as a training ground. As every armchair military critic will tell you, an invading enemy would probably strike at “ this gem in a silver sea ” either at Brighton or abovo Blueskin Bay. As the experts say, an enemy could not overcome the harbor defences, and, if worth their salt at all, would really try to land somewhere near Dunedin if out solid city were one of the spoils of war in their envious, eyes. Then, it must not be forgotten that contending armies cannot always have a leisurely choice of ideal ground on which to smash at each other, as private individuals can do when they do not want to break the delf in their houses. All things considered, there can be no harm in giving our mounted forces some hard training on rough country. The nature of the locality, however, spoils tho effect of the camp as a spectacle. The camp is divided into two portions. This prevents a striking display. In the scheme of things as prepared by practical and unpoetical military men perhaps a display does not count for much. It is not for us to differ from experts, but it may be said tliat things military achieve some success with an impressive display. The sight of a large military camp wherein all is ordered activity often makes patriots of sluggish men. That, however, is by the way. The camp at Waitati is not without picturesqiiencss, and is the sort of scene that revives the drooping spirit of a bored tourist in a passing train. The tents are pitched iu rows on level ground, sheltered by green hedgerows. In tho background hill rises upon hill to the distant sky line—a fine terrace from which to hurl shrapnel arid the like. The horse lines extend for nearly half a mile. Two squadrons—Otago Hussars (A) and tho North Otago Mounted Rifles (B) —are encamped in a paddock behind Kilpatrick’s store, by the bridge on the Main road; C, I), and E Squadrons (Clutha Mounted Rifles. Maniototo Mounted Rifles, and Tuapeka Mounted Rifles) are in the show ground, a stone throw from the others. The later squadrons are a bit cramped for rom. The parade ground is described as absolutely unsuitable for tho purpose, it being absurdly small and steep. There air some edghty-four tents in the camp, and not more than- six men are allowed in one tent. Two marquees are used as mess rooms, two for the regimental institute, and one as a barber’s saloon. Bearded and poet-headed cavalry are out of tho question. Stringent regulations are laid down respecting the use of unboiled water. The water from the Waitati Stream is reported to be bad. Discipline prevails in the camp. The training is serious, and the troops are not there wholly for horseplay and eea bathing. They "have spells for sport, but the most of their time is devoted to training. As everybody knows, there is no canteen, and a fine of £2O awaits any trooper who stores in his tent “ a wee drop in the bottle for the morning.” There is no guardroom. As a consequence, there is no merry trooper who at dawn can sing with Kipling’s Tommy :

I've a held like a concertina. I’ve a tongue like a button-etick, I’ve a mouth like an old potato, and I’m more than a little sick ; But I’ve had my fun o’ the corp’ral's guard ; I’ve made -the cinders fly ; And I’m here in the Clink for a thundering drink and blacking tho corporal’s eve.

Minor laxities are punished by fatigue duty. The rank and file work well together, everyone being enthusiastic. Experienced troopers say that it is the he.-t < amp for discipline that they have ever been in. That is a good report. Discipline has influences in peace time. The squadrons have a long and busy clay, reveille being sounded at 5.30 a.in.*, and “lights out’’ at 9.45 and 10 p.m. The sharp air and military exercises make the troopers appreciate sleep. A man who must respond to a bugle-call at 5.30 a.in. cannot afford to go in for high jinks at that hour when melancholy men stand on bridges, looking at running water. The good people of Waitati speak well of their military visitors. {SO far the squadrons have been exercised at drill and firing at fixed targets. On a bit of a hillside squads of troopers, instructed by engineers, have dug entrenchments. That sort of work is both good for mind and muscle. The men, as in times of war, have their meals in their tents. Some say this system has its defects. Very likely, since warfare is full of difficulties. The men seem none the worse for the system. The sergeants have a mess room of which we can speak with a pleasant definiteness. In a time of mimic warfare a reporter is the tolerated war correspondent, and ho is made welcome to their board. 'The sergeants are blessed with a cook who singlehandedly could overcome an invading force with cordial smells and satisfying dishes. Sergeant Don is president, and rules the roast very genially. The sergeants’ mess is one of the attractions of the camp. Something of a novelty is provided in the form of a regimental institute, which was arranged by Lieutenant-colonel Smyth and Mr C. J. Bush-King. It is conducted by Mr Bush-King under the auspices of St. Matthew’s branch of the Church of England Men’s Society. The institute has been very successful, and much appreciated. It is visited every day by over 2CO troopers. Magazines, journals, daily newspapers, and writing material are provided free of charge. Over 100 letters are sent away every day, and some sixty received, A post bag is kept, and is cleared to suit local mails. There is provision made for chess and draught players, there is a piano for the musical cavalrymen, and there is a bagatelle table. Refreshments can bo liought. Lectures are given, and the religious matter offered is not of the aggressive type. In. the cool of evenings the troopers engage in wrestling and tug-of-war competitions, and that sort of relaxation from military duties.

A field day will be held to-morrow, when the squadrons will be exercised in warlike movements. More than likely there will be an invading force to conquer. There will certainly be some hard nding. It is expected that Lieutenant-colonel Smyth will be present at the manoeuvres. On Friday night a bonfire concert will be held. On Saturday morning the camp will bo struck. This is tho first occasion on which the whole regiment have been together for a week’s training, and tho combined muster k the largest on record. Whatever 1 tho military benefits may bo (their measure c;m be left to tho experts), it would seem that the camp will be a success from the men’s point of viw. That much has uot been Haiti of all military training camps in tho past.