THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15921, 6 May 1912, Page 10

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

CAMP AT ASHBURTON. The casual camp in connection with the Territorials of the South Canterbury military district began on the Ashburton Show Grounds on Thursday afternoon, and the men will remain under canvas for nine days. Those taking part in the camp (about 260 infantry and 65 mounted men) were unable tp attend the Easter encampment at Orari. The men arrived at Ashburton by special trains from the north and south on Thursday and marched to the Show Grounds. They appeared to be in a merry mood and to ho looking, forward to stirring times during the nine days in which they will be under canvas. The officers expressed themselves as being pleased with the men's appearance and behaviour, and were hopeful and confident that they would return to their homes' with redoubled smartness, energy and vitalitv. The Church of 'England Men's-. Society has a largo marqueo erected on the ground as a concert hall, and another one in wjiich magazines, periodicals, papers and writing material are provided for the men. There is a piano and improvised platform in the concert hall marquee, and in addition a number of games are provided. Tlie men appear to fully appreciate the efforts of the Society. Officers for the camp are as follow :—Captain Andrews (Timaru), officer commanting; Lieutenant Bailey (Timaru), adjutant: Surgeon-Captain Lyon (Ashburton), Captain Chapman, rremnkaj. Captain G. D. H. Hefford (Ashburton), quartermaster; Lieutenants Furbv (Timaru). R. Davis (Ashburton), E. Toven (Ashburton), actingcaptains: G. K. Dee, Dunsford. and Sterndale, second lieutenants. There are. alfio on duty—Staff-Sergeant-Majors Smeah Clemenis,' Parks, Williams, Thatcher. Mcechan and Johnstone Tlie i-ounted section is in charge of Captain Nieholls. Lieutenants Christian and Blunden. The Rev E. Whitehouse is "chaplain for the camp. .'Tho mounted section includes members of the Timaru, Waimnto, Geraldine and Ashburton Squadrons, while tho infantry section is made up of men from the Waitaki River (South Canterbury) to beyond Coalgate (mid-Canter-bury). ' Colonel Heard, Military* Director, attended the camp on Friday morning. Major Foden arrived at Ashburton on Saturday and proceeded to the enmp, where ho will remain for several days. [Fnou Our Corwcspovdent.] ASHBURTON. May 5.

The Territorials now in the casual camp on the Ashburton show grounds were to have attended Divine service at St. Stephen's Anglican Church this morning, but owing to a steady downpour of rain setting in early and continuing and the majority of the men being at present unprovided with overcoats, thev were not marched out of camp. The camp chaplain, the Rev E. Whitehouse, conducted a service at the 'carffp in the afternoon. A local policeman made a complaint against the conduct of several of the Territorials early on Saturday morning, but nothing was known of it in the camp itself till a later hour. When it did become known, it caused a great deal of comment. From careful inquiries made on Saturday, it was gleaned in conversation with an officer that several civilians, who were apparently under the influence of liquor, went to the* camp entrance gates, on Friday night, but they were refused admission. Nothing, however, was seen of any misbehaviour on the part of any Territorials. They were all at physical drill' at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, and started with a quarter of * milo at the double. They then went through other forms of physical drill. Tlie officer stated that if any of the men had been under the influence of liquor overnight, they would in all probability have shown fatigue at that early hour, when undergoing some fairly stiff physical exercises, but no sign' of fatigue whatever was-exhibit-ed bv any man. Sergeant-Major Williams later on gave an .hour's lecture on discipline, and without being aware of any complaint as to misconduct he made a portion of his lecture apply to tho folly and senselessness of bad language. The men were very deeply impressed. Colonel Heard was present while the lecture was being given, and afterwards spoke in complimentary terms ot the nature of the lecture and the jntplliTOnt wav in which Sergeant-Major Williams had appealed to the men to avoid tho use of anything approaching bad or foul language. The officer, in conversation with a representative of the " Lyttelton Times." remarked that the men in camp were observing admirable discipline, and were taking the keenest possible interest in their work. A largo number of them were on leave on Saturday evening, and everyone returned to camo in a perfectly orderly manner, and as a good soldier should do. Everyone under canvas is excsedinglv anxious that the camp shall be one of thorough instruction, and that nothing whatever shall occur to cast the lightest reflection on officers or .-.en.