A SOLDIER IN THE MAKING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4458, 27 January 1917, Page 3

A SOLDIER IN THE MAKING.

ANOTHER DRAFT GO OVER TH RIM'D TAKAS.

the Long- walk .over the

HILLS

(Written for the Gisborne Times by “Johnny Raw.”

On Saturday, January 20, the 22nci Reinforcements completed their long march over the Rimutakas, having ext perienced excellent weather from the tune they left Featlierston. Very few men fell out on the journey, and high , encomiums were paid the reinforceI meats by Colonel MacDonald, who had j charge of their infantry training, . At 3.30 a.m. on the* 18th fust., a j oh the tramp was made; or, ; lather, reveille roused the men at > that hour to strike their camp, breakrast, and shoulder their kits and rifles. With bands playing us a farewell, we marched; out of the camp gates at 5.30 a.m. in column of route extending over ha'lf-a-mile. The dawn was cloudy, but the day gave promise of being calm, and the promise was fulfilled, for that bugbear of the hilltop march, the stiff wind usually blowing through the pass, was ' not encountered. So hour after hour passed with the tramp, tramp, tramp of many hundreds of'feet reverberating along the rocky road. 'the hospitable Wairarupa people turned out in hundreds to farewell us as we went through the town of Featherston, headed! by “the little bootmaker,” the old veteran who so proudly leads each reinforcement draft over the hills. At the foot of the long incline leading to the summit the camp band left us ; and from then on the pace settled down to the require aunts of the long route march which signalises the completion of the infantry training of each reinforcement draft sent by New Zealand to the homeland. At the summit, after a nine mile march, during which we ascended the winding road to a height of over 1600 feet, a further instance of Wairarapa’s hospitality was given, for we were met by a body of the Wai_ rarapa Patriotic Society, who had hot tea and refreshments ready for us. Some time ago tho Gisborne. Defence Committee made a donation towards the expenses of this treat given to each body on the march over. I am not aware if they do so now, but could they hear the shouts of delight as the weary soldiers come up those inclines to get tho welcome tea, I am sure they would feel well paid for any donation they may make. Buns and tea were supplied in abundance during the hour’s spell put in there. Everyone had ample, even the Gisborne Coy. who admitted tho soft impeachment of having nartakon of five cups of tea and nine buns.

MEETING AN OLD FRIEND. After leave, the Summit, a further eight miles, lay before us ere we reached our bivouac at Kaitoke. But it was down liill “and the long trail that goes a-winding” had anew significance for were we not most of us on the eve of embarking into the land of our dreams, “the dear Homeland" which had formed the theme of our camp songs for weeks past. The Poverty Bay contingent wore enjoying themselves with the besß and when half-wav down the hill Mr.

"Joe’’ Martin and a party of friends was passed, as they were ascending by motor. They were given a rousing reception from the Bay boys, to the accompaniment of :• — “What do they; what do they; what do they say?

Poverty, Poverty, Poverty Bay.” “Joe’s” associations with the athletic circles of Gisborne have made him popular, but- perhaps lie has never before been greeted by so many cheerful acquaintances as on that Jiiil ride over the Rimutakas. At Kaitoke aching feet and dusty bodies went into the liver. It was the most glorious swim any of us had ever had, for on a hot day a march of seventeen miles, carrying a heavy equipment and rifles, is an achievement that makes even the hardiest feel the necessity for a rest. The afternoon was put in resting and building bivouacs under the trees and out in the open. An oil sheet- stretched over a couple of saplings with a couple of blankets underneath, was the popular covering. But when the shades of evening began to fall slumber was far from the thoughts of the soldiers. They may have been tired, but they did not look it, so an impromptu concert was held under the stars, a borrowed piano being wheeled out into the fields to accommodate the singers. Round about ten o’cloek the boys turned in, and despite the heavy dew that fell, put in a comfortable night. Next mornjng a further four hours' march was put in. bringing the long column to Upper Hutt, where lunch was partaken of.

NIGHT OPERATIONS. By this we were within throe milesof Trentham Camp, but.lt was not intended we should reach the end of our going before the next day, Saturday, so after lunch we marched back five miles on to the bills above tho Mang-iroa Valley. Night operations were to be carried out, and my company had to defend a bill-top. It was to be an affair of the outposts, and an attack was expected during the dawn from an advancing force some four times larger than the defenders. I had charge of a sentry group, and until 2 a.m. on Saturday morning had to lie on the Rde of a country road changing sentries hour by hour. Then we withdrew on the supports at the top of the hill, having prevented any patrols getting past, and waited for the attack. It came at dawii, and suffice it to say that all sides acquitted themselves very creditably. Breakfast was partaken of on the spot, and then the final stage of the journey to Trentham was put in. We arrived before 9 a.m., swinging along a& if beginning a couple of miles’ march. Doubtless the boys were tired after over thirty miles tramping and two nights of broken slumber in the open, but they did not admit.it. A hot bath was given us as we arrived in camp, and then full 90 per cent, spent the afternoon at the races, while many visited Wellington later, returning to camp after midnight. What stretch of endurance they could put up on emergency was certainly not tested on the much-talked* of “Walk over the hills.”