THE PICNIC

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1929, Page 8

THE PICNIC

General lan Hamilton, talking to South African veterans: “Once upon a time, on half rations, we played hide-and-seek with Christie de Wet

until our feet were bleeding and .our clothes in rags.” Very likely once upon a time Sir lan himself had only 0110 shirt and that full of holes and—never mind! Certainly once upon a time there was a partially-naked mob of colonial horsemen ’ with whom the problem was new trousers. There were no new trousers. A man appeared on parade wearing a kilt of horse blanket as suitable riding gear. His mates gradually ’discarded riding pants and wore blanket kilts. First mounted kilties ever' known! Once upon a time a general (since passed) along 'rock; down a line of dirty warriors and questioned them: “You got a sliirt?” “No, sir!” “Nor have I.” “You got aiiy socks?” “No, sir-” “Nor I!” “You got spare boots?” “No, sir!” “Nor I!” “You lousy?” “Yes, sir!” “So am I!” And it was even so. New Zealand troops at first wore light drill khaki which turned a brilliant yellow in the sun and made the poor Dutchmen think tlioy were shooting at mounted■ canaries. Happily they were in rags in no time. The bleeding feet referred to by Sir lan were largely induced by the fearful * ammunition boot of the army. They would bake as hard as stool in the sun. Any Tommy would give his soul for New Zealand hoots. They were softer.' At Paafcleberg (of which Sir lan' spoke) some relatively bootless soldiers were ambling miserably about aftci- 'that unpleasant business. In sandy ground by the banks of the Moddcr six pail's ‘of perfectly new boots were sticking out. One hopes one does not offend civilians who object to the plainness of Herr Remarque when one recalls the fact that living soldiers wore those dead men’s boots. “The half-rations” mentioned by Hamilton may recall to some portly, survivors the quarter biscuit per man per day served out at Paardeberg.