ARMY SERVICE CORPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1938, Page 3

ARMY SERVICE CORPS

WEST COAST TREK.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. I

CHRISTCHURCH. September 18. “The objects of the tour were fully justified, and the last day's journey over tlie Lewis Pass provided greater variety of training in mechanical work for voting troops than I have ever seen before.” said Lieutenant G. H. Macan, New Zealand Staff Corps, unit adjutant of the Third Composite Company Army Service Corps, of Christchurch, when commenting yesterday on the trek made to the West Coast last week. Eighlv-seven officers and men of the corps/with Captain E. J. Stock as officer commanding, took part in the trek, and arrived back on Saturday. Captain T. Fletcher Telford, N.Z.A.M.C., was medical officer, and Major A. McNeur -was padre. j "The authorities can justly claim that the tour showed great keenness on the part of a young territorial unit and justified the faith of headquarters in the ability of the men to negotiate difficulties.” said Lieutenant Macan. "We set out on a. programme, of taking the cars over difficult country, and the difficulties were increased by the bad weather, which made the training ali the more valuable. The unit came through with flying colours. The way I hey handled the cars on their return Lo Christchurch showed the great improvement that had been made.” Lieutenant. Macan said that in travelling over the Lewis Pass every possible kind of road and weather difficulty had been encountered, the recovery of stranded vehicles, slips, washouts, and crossing fords. The negotiation of the large slip three miles from Ma-

ruia Springs had been a particularly good feat of driving. Another object was the testing of the plant, he said, and the results had proved very satisfactory. Not one of the unit’s own vehicles had broken down; all the trouble was caused by four cars hired from the Public Works Department. There were no serious accidents to the men during the trip, but the keenness with which the men worked in dealing With, repairs to vehicles and rescuing stranded cars was shown by the number of cases of minor bruises and cuts. In all 160 of these were attended to by the medical officer and his orderlies.

One result of the trip, according to Lieutenant Macan, was that numerous inquiries had been received about the corps, although it was doubtful if many more recruits could be received, as it was almost up to peace time establishment. There was no doubt that great interest had been aroused, judging by the reception given in the West Coast towns, and it was likely that the visit would also stimulate interest in the territorial units there.

“We arc well and truly satisfied,” he said. “Many problems of transport were brought out, and the knowledge that was gained is of high value.”