ARMY SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1938, Page 5

ARMY SERVICE

: THE TERRITORIALS; TREK TO THE WEST COAST. ; ? Hitherto, people on the West Coast? hare had little opportunity to see : the mechanised units of the Terri-i torial Forces. With the coming Army? Service Corps’ trek; the West Coast: trill see for themselves how the mod-’ ■ ernisiug of our Territorial. |Wes has. 'gone ahead. The Arpiy Seriilel Corps; ; is making a trek to the West Coast, • ' aml-AVest-Coasters will have the uni-’ I que'opportunity, of being the first in ; Uhe South ; Island to see what; to date, • is the largest military? ; convoy ever! . seen in the South Bland.' v,■ e ;

■ The convoy will consist of six camou- ; flaged lorries, four camouflaged ydns, four three motor-cycles, and,, in ■ addition, travelling kitchens and i Army trail els.' Niue officers and .”5 1 other rapks will make : up the persohpiel of the trek. Captain E. J. Stock .will be in command, with Captain T.’ | A. Bergman as second in command. •Lieutenant I. E. Stock will be Transport Officer, while Lieutenant W. Miles will be Supply Officer. The Chaplain will be Major Alex. McNeur, a well-known figure to many West Coasters. Lieutenant G. H. Macan, N.Z. S.C., will be Adjutant. .•'•• The convoy will arrive in Hokitika ;.in the early afternoon ■ temher 11, and. will depart for Greymouth on the following morning.- A? /Stop will be made in Greymouth until Wednesday morning, whenjthe column "ill leave for Westport, via-the Coast, road. At the moment,? movements from Westport are uncertain, owing possible conditions on the Rahu Saddle Road. For this reason, it is .doubtful whether the Thursday night is to he .spent- in ( .Reefton or Murchison; but, rin either .case, the return -will be made 1 ,via the Lewis Pass.. / : '

!| Such a trek is an ambitious under-' /taking for a. Territorial unit,. even when, favourable weather- conditions; »re assured ;, but- the Army Service, Corps members are ..confident, of •• their .ability. and, as the draws peat-?. ; e U ££.?? •are-.completijjg.■ preparation^" and are keep to Le on -the .way.- ThqSe of the personnel, who' hav.e visited the. .Coast on previous,ooegsipus, ■ haye; 'spoken . p f; the trk-j ditidnal West , Coast ? hospitality,' and" .aH-.ranks anticipate making many ppjy? friends’on. thehr'trip? ’ ! >