CAMP AT OMOTO

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 February 1928, Page 10

CAMP AT OMOTO

SUCCESSFUL OPENING

The members of “C" Coy. Ist Battalion Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment, are in camp for the Jubilee Week at Omoto Racecourse under ■ command : of Major Campbell M. who has associated with him. the following Officers: Capt. N. EaWh, second in command; Lieut. A. J.: Moore; N. Staff, Camp Adjutant; Lieut. C. W; Fitzgerald, Greymouth, com-, manding No. 9 platoon; Lieut. C. H. Black,’ commanding No. 10 Platoon. Hokitika and Reefton men are in No. 11 Platoon, under 2nd Lt. O. J. Hutchinson. N0.*12 Platoon comprising .the Westport men are in charge of 2nd Lieut. Matheson. The latter party arrived from Westport on Saturday evening. Capt. Green, S.. Army, is Camp- Chaplain. The first, night in camp was more or less disturbed, the men being somewhat new to one another. There is ample room in the tents and the catering is good, the men taking their meals in the Grandstand tearooms. Headquarters are situated ;in ? the Stewards’ and Committee rooms and the men’s recreation room is in the totalisator house. The officers’ mess is in the Golf . Club rooms which have been kindly lent by the committee of the. Golf Club, .

Weather conditions on Sunday morning were showery. The Roman Catholic members of the Coy. were paraded and marched into town under Lieut.' ‘‘C. H. Blanch. Captain Green conducted service in camp. From 2 p.m. to 5.30 the camp was thrown open to visitors and a large number of friends and relatives of the boys in camp availed themselves of the opportunity to see hbw the boys were accommodated. During the afternoon an exhibition of shooting by the Lewis gun was given, two guns being used and two ladies .were brave enough to shoulder the weapon and each fired a. few short bursts. •

The majority of the men availed themselves of leave and went into town on Sunday evening, visiting friends. ■ .

. This morning the. weather was fine but windy and the troops were down to work in real earnest. After morning parade and inspection the platodn commanders took over for the syllabus laid down.

To-day Major Campbell M.C. and Lieut. Moore, Camp Adjutant paid an official visit to the Commander of H.M.S. Veronica and to-morrow the whole . company will‘visit Greymouth to take part in the procession in‘the afternoon. There are 210 men in camp. Staff Sergt.-Major Shuttleworth is Camp Quartermaster and Sergt.-Major Johnson is Camp Sergt.-Major. On Wednesday night there will be a camp concert to which the public are to be invitedr . / TRAINEES"CRITICISED

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I would like through, your paper if you will , kindly allow me space, to suggest while we have the Right Hon. Mr. Coates in our midst, that he journey to Omdto and there inspect some of the country’s Territorials, and see if he thinks they warrant the expenditure. I am sure if he saw them as I have he will think not. I am wondering if they are .there for a joke (af the country’s expense) or to learn soldiering. Seeing them go on guard yesterday with tunics unbuttoned at the heck, and. smoking, why • I myself in the line in* France have been punished severely for much less.'The behaviour of the Westport portion of the camp on the down Reefton train on Saturday evening was a disgrace to H.M.’s uniform. Some seemed intoxicated. ; What I wish to point out is considering the financial state of the country;. unless they go to camp to learn to soldiery and not on holiday, it is time the good old Union Jack began to wonder if the men of her Colonies could assist her in the future as in the past as Britishers' should do. In conclusion, probably Mr. Coates saw as I did, as he was immediately behind, me yesterday on coming yut. qf Church, one of these so-called soldiers hanging to a post id the street; of course he may have thought he was hanging on to a Lewis gim. One consolation, . the country had not been paying for what .he had drunk, but I being British wish he would wait until he was in mufti’and show a little respect for . his uniform. Of course, they cannot make soldiers in a day, but they can have discipline and respect. Thanking you sir, I am etc.— , S. V. JENNINGS, man) ') Kaiata.