ROUTE MARCH FROM WAITATI

Evening Star, Issue 23836, 17 March 1941, Page 6

ROUTE MARCH FROM WAITATI

6. COMPANY OF NATIONAL RESERVE DEFIES THE RAIN EVERY MEMBER FINISHES STRONGLY Proof that men who keep themselves fit are not too old at 40, nor yet at 50, to take part in advanced military training was afforded yesterday when C Company of the Fourth Battalion of the National Military Reserve marched in the rain and fog over Mount Cargill from the railway station at Waitati to the railway station at Dunedin, a distance of approximately 15 miles, without one man of the full muster showing signs of distress. The fact that overcoats wore worn and arras and wellfilled haversacks carried added to the lustre of this fine performance by middle-aged reservists. The circumstances leading up to the march were these: In accordance withthe original intention to carry out a full day of manoeuvres, the troops duly arrived in Waitati by special train. As it seemed certain that the rain had come to stay, the commanding officer, Captain Guy, gave his men the option of returning to Dunedin by train and putting in some tiipo in the shelter of the 'Drill Hall nr of undertaking the homeward trip by route marching all the way. The unanimous vote was for the walk back, and, after a short openair church service, the reservists swung along through the township of Waitati and cheerfully commenced the long ascent of the Mount Cargill.road, preceded by the motor van, which on such outings carries the popular members of the commissariat department. At two points on the way home the brewers of the national stimulant defied the wet weather and had the dixies boiling in plenty of time before the company appeared on the scene. The marching time, during which chorus singing and mouth organ accompaniments provided encouragement. was most creditable, and when the Normanby tram , terminus was reached not one man succumbed to the tempting invitation thrown out by the driver and conductor, of a waiting car. “ Take away your ancient tank! Let’s finished the job properly!” was the approved verdict. And so with the steady swing that had carried them “ over the top ” from Waitati the reservists tramped on through the city streets to the station. The distance was covered in about six hours, the Public Hospital, at which warm greetings were exchanged between the soldiers and the patients and nurses, being passed at 5.30 p.ra. It was really a remarkable feat in such circumstances. The march was carried out under the usual conditions —40min marching spells with lOmin breathers and longer periods off for meals.