THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15900, 11 April 1912, Page 9

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

THE TEMPLETON CAMP. MILITARY SPORTS. Great interest was taken in the finals of the various competitions, which wero held yesterday afternoon at the Territorial encampment at Templeton. Tho committee or officers which had arranged the sports programme worked very hard to make the meeting a success, and in consequence the prize list was a large one. ; Lieutenant-Colonel Smith acted as referee, Captain Salmonson as starter, Major Stewart and Captain Batchelor as judges and Staff-Sergeant-Major Henderson as marshal. At the conclusion of the meeting the prizes were presented by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Smith.

Yesterday morning the men went through the usual routine, spending tho morning in squad drill, physical exercises and visual and musketry training. In the afternoon a sports meeting was held. The men wore in fine training after their week in camp, and showed good form in the various events. To-morrow the camp will end. The men will leave the domain at 1 p.m., weather permitting, gird will march back to Christchurch by way of tlio Riccarton Road and Park Terrace. The sight should be interesting from a spectacular point of view. A pipo band will probably be in attendance. The following are tho results of the different events:—

Tug-of-War—Final: K Company Ccfcated K Company, after a vreai tussle. This event created a great deal of enthusiasm. lOtyds Hrginimlal Race —Semi-final, first heat: Private Ccrb:tl (H Company) 1. Private Simpson (B Company) '2. Second lira:: Private Parson (B Company) 1. Private Armstrong (F Company) 2. Pinal: Private L. Parson iB Company) 1, Private Armstrong (F Company) 2. A good race. Time—li 2-5 sic. .

Four-l?g?ed Race, ICOyds—First beat: K Company 1. F Company 2. Second licit: G Company 1, A Company 2. Final: K Company (Privates Coles, Crottic and Hammond) 1, A Company (Pi Kates Bavej', Jackson and Beil) 2. Potato Race—First heat: Private Sullivan (F Company) 1. Private Jackson (A Company) fl. Second heat: Private M’Leod (C Company) 1, Private Clemens (E Company) 2. Third heat: Privato Youn? (K Company) 1, Private Coles (It Company) 2. Fourth heat: Privato Shaw (A Company) 1, Private Beaumont (A Company) 2. Final: Private Young (K Company) j, Private Sullivan (F Company) 2. Relay Race, 400yds—First- heat: B Company (Privates Simpson, Guthrie, Parson and Wallace) 1, C Company (Privates Anderson, Blackmora and Patterson, and Bugler Stevens) 2. Second best: K Company (Privates Arnold. Cork, Clark and Booker) 1. D Company (Privates Douglas, Held, Beattie and Pooling ton) 2. Final: B Company 1, II Company 2. Won easily. One-mil) Crcsr-country Race—Private Anderson (O Company) 1. Best-k’pt Tents in Lines—D Company 3. The judges had some difiiculiy in deciding between C. D and II Companies. On Sunday last Quartermaster-Ser-geant Muschamp was presented with a- twelve years’ long-service medal. Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, who 'made tho presentation, spoke in high terms of praise of the quartermaster-ser-geant. INFANTRY CAMP AT ORARI. VERY SUCCESSFULThe camp of the Second Regiment of Infantry broke up on Tuesday after a very successful period of training. Tho men state they had a really good time. They had to work, lmt their comfort was studied. They were wellfed and were provided with rational amusements, so that it was not remarkable to hear a number of them declare that they had never had so good a timo before. On Monday General Godloy visited

tho camp, and spoke in high praise of the arrangements and of the appearance of the regiment. He stated that next year’s work would be more advanced, and he urged the men to attend drill regularly. The Hon T. Buxton complimented Colonel Bcekingham. the officers and men on the appearance of the regiment. He said that parents would find that their hoys were well looked after in camp and wero better em-’ ployed than in standing round street corners. He asked them to do all is their power to make the defence system a success.

On Monday night the men carried their officers shoulder high and otherwise showed their appreciation of those in command. The sports in connection with the camp were held on Saturday alternoon and were very successful. A sum of £'3o was subscribed hv the men for prizes, and £'2s of this was distributed. The balance will become part of a fund for the purchase of a championship shield, which will be competed' for every year.

A tent cleaning competition was, won l>y Tent No. 9, O Company (Ashburton Rifles), tho Timaru Garrison Band being second. A church parade was held on Sunday afternoon, the service being held in tho open air. The Rev T. Stinson, of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Timaru, road the lessons, and an address was delivered by tho Rev A. H. Norris r of the Temuka'Anglican Church, while Hi? singing was led by the South Canterbury' Band. A special Easter service was conducted by the Rev T. Stinson. in the Church of England Men’s Society’s tent, and the morning service for the Roman Catholics was conducted by the Rev Father Murphy. Hundreds of people from Ashburton. Timaru, Geraldine and Temuka visited the camp during the day.