TERRITORIAL CAMP.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 1 July 1925, Page 10

TERRITORIAL CAMP.

QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S 2ND .MOUNTED fUELES.

The annual training camp oi Queen Alexandra’s Alounted Rifle Regiment was held on the Wavcrlev racecourse last week, commencing on 22ncl mst., and the men .returning to their homes yesterday. , . The week’s training was, from the points of view of both men. and ottieers, a sp'endid success, and was much appreciated by all ranks. Ibis annual camp does a great dea] more good to the trainees than all the weekly parades held during the year in this—that the men receive a more practical and interesting insight into the work d a .regiment than they do at the short evening parades. The camp, which was under the command of Colonel D. Al iniro. consisted of the three mounted squadrons of the regiment and the. machine gun squadron from Hawoia? and the Regimental Bund, which were dismounted. The band helped eonsiderab’v to keep the camp bright and cheerful. Lieutenant G. L. Buck lev. leader oi* tin- band, lias recently composed a piece which lie lias ca'.ied “Lovely Wavcrlev,” and he has also added words for the music. 'I lie piece was very much appreciated, and in consideration of the 'numerous requests, has promised to publish'd. The first three days of t-lie camp were devoted to solid study of the work of the various squadrons, and the men propressod to such an extent that when the ceremonial inspection and march past, arranged for last Friday, was lieid. they were proficient in their work. Colonel C. G. Towles. D. 5.0., who is oolone'-commnmlaiit ol the Central Command, ami Lieut.-Colonel .J. H. Whyte, D. 5.0.. D.C.M., X.Z.S.C.. were present at the ceremonial inspection and march past, and expressed their praise of the genera] work of the men, their extreme tidiness and military precision of their movements, especial'.v the march past of the dismounted men. which reached the highest standard seen m New Zealand. Trophies for competition among the mounted men resulted in all three (one for best squadron, for best- troop and best section) being won bv C (Stratford) squadron, and .a tro--)hy among the dismounted units (headquarters squadron) was won by No 1 troop. On Saturday Colonel Afiinro presented the trophies, and spoke in glowing terms of the splendid behaviour in the camp. He reminded the mcii of tlio traditions of their regiment, and charged them to uphold those traditions. In the afternoon a football match between Stratford and headquarters squadrons resulted in a draw, 6 all. after a well-fought tuss'e. Visitors’ Day (Sunday) saw a large number of poop's from al] parts of the district at the camp, and all expressed favourable comment on the neatness and splendid organisation of the camp and the music of the Regimental Band. The weather during the peiriod of the camp was threatening, and in several cases rain fe'l during instruction, but this difficulty was overcome by the use of the spacious rooms below the grandstand on the course. Al] arrangements were carried out without a hitch, and the camp was brought to a close yesterday morning, when officers were enthusiastically cheered as the 1 men moved off on their homeward journey.