SECOND ECHELON

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 6

SECOND ECHELON

IN EXCELLENT TRIM PATRIOTIC AID APPRECIATED LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FALCONER WRITES Appreciation of the actions of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council in supplying amenities to the troops is contained in a letter received by the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) from Lieuenantcolonel A. S. Falconer, commanding officer of the 23rd Cantorbury-Otago Battalion. The letter, written under date of September 3. is not lacking in praise for the men of the Second Echelon. “ This battalion, with other units of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary force.” states the writer, “ lias been training hard in the vicinity of Aidershot since arrival in England. All are under canvas, and the excellent summer weather wo have enjoyed has enabled the maximum amount of time to bo spent in fitting ourselves for the task which lies before us. Both during training and on leave, we have been privileged to see much of the beauties of the English countryside, and to enjoy the hospitality of the English people. “ Through the generous action of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council wo are well provided with sports eqnij)ment. While not actively engaged in military training the troops take full advantage of facilities for various outdoor games, cricket, football, and the like. Recently a cricket team from the N.Z.E.F. met an Australian eleven, and won the match—l think to the surprise of both teams. “ The general standard of physical fitness is high, and, on recent field exorcises, all units carried out route marches of over 20 miles in one day.

“ The ‘ loud speaker ’ unit which you were instrumental in having presented to Brigadier Hargest has proved invaluable. I have frequently made use of it in this battalion with excellent results. Perhaps you will be good enough to make known to interested 1 patriotic members ’ how useful this set has proved, and how grateful we are for it. “ We are now receiving mails fairly regularly, to the general satisfaction of alii Great interest is displayed in events in New Zealand since our departure, , particularly the preparations being made for home defence.

“ I am pleased to be ab'e to state that the force has created a good • impression in the Mother Country, and the reputation established in 1914-18 is being worthily upheld. We have been visited by His Majesty the King, Lord Bledisloe, and other notable personages, ail of whom have made very flattering comments, with the result that we have something to live up to. I have every confidence in the ability of the force to maintain the standard set by the N.Z.E.F. in the Great War, whatever our role may be.”