THE TERRITORIALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16492, 6 March 1914, Page 10

THE TERRITORIALS.

COASTAL DEFENCE FORCES CAMP

AT FORT JER\ 7 OIS.

The annual encampment of the Coastal Defence Forces will commence at Fort Jervois (Itipa. Island) this ovening, and it is expected that by Sunday about one hundred and fifty Territorials will be under canvas. In past years the infantry section has been encamped on the mainland, but this year’s training operations will be confined entirely to the Garrison Artillery. The whole of the latter will be quartered in the barracks and tents.

This evening the New Zealand Garrison Artillery Territorials, No. 4 Company, comprising about eighty men, under Captain J. P. E. Yeale, together with the Coastal Defence Baud, will bo conveyed to Ripa Island in launches. On Saturday or Sunday No 8 Company, . comprising the West Coast forces, will arrive and take up their quarters also at the fort. The company will be in charge, of .Major Gottorill, and is expcctccl to muster -about, seventy men. This will lie the first occasion'on which the West Coast men have had the opportunity of training with fixed armaments.

The duties sot out for the first day are as follows:—-6 a.m., reveille; 6.45 a.m., first parade and physical drill: 7.30 a.m., breakfast; -9 a.m., second parade and semaphore signalling; 10.30 a.m., third parade ■ aid gun drill and gun-laying; 12.43 p.m., dinner; 2 p.m. to 2.43 p.m.,' fourth parade and gun drill and gun-laying; 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., fifth.parade and gun drill and gun-laying; 3.30 p.m., tea; 8 p.m., lecture; 9.30 p.m., first post; 10 p.m., last post; 10.13 p.m., lights out. In order to vary the operations as much as possible a new syllabus will bo followed each day. '; For the first two or three days a good deal of instructional work will bo carried out by tha companies and so as to facilitate the work of the camp the two companies will be instructed separately. This course has been rendered necessary in orddr to give the West Coast men eyery facility to become expert gunners and at the same time to become efficient enough to help No 4 Company in the gun practice which, it' is iutended to commence about Wednesday Apart from the physical and gun drills each evening wall be devoted to lectures on subjects of importance ■to the • men. The spiritual , welfare.'of the camp will bo looked after by-the Y'.M.C.A.

On Sunday Colonel-Chaplain, Chambers will conduct divine service, and in tli'e afternoon the two companies will'bo “at homo’’ to their relatives and friends. Honorary Territorials attached to the Garrison Artillery will also be invited to attend camp on Sunday.

On Thursday a sports gathering will be'held at the fort, and after “ Battle Practice 7 on 1 the following day camjj will be struck on Saturday, March 14.

Diving to pressure of business it is doubtful whether Colonel C. J. Cooper will, be in attendance at the camp, but Lientenant .L. McDonald, It.N.Z.A.. will represent him. in his absence.