UNDER CANVAS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 74, 22 February 1930, Page 10

UNDER CANVAS.

SEVENTH BATTERY IN CAMP. UNI’ROPITIOUS WEATHER. Unpropitious weather prevailed while the Seventh Battery, N.Z.F.A., one of the two Palmerston North artillery units, was in camp at the Waipukurau racecourse this week. Only two really fine days wore experienced and, for the larger part of the territorials’ stay under canvas, the weather waa wet. Under the circumstances the result of the training operations was considered to have been most satisfactory, especially as there was more raw material than usual in the battery. The territorials returned to Palmerston North yesterday, the officers and N.C.O.’s having spent ten days in camp and the men seven. Fortunately Sunday was fine and large numbers of Waipukurau residents, with a sprinkling of visitors from Palmerston North, attended the battery sports. Interesting and novel events were conducted, points counting in a sub-section competition which was won by the battery staff with D subsection second. An exhibition of polo was also given. The culminating point of the training course was reached on Wednesday when live shell practice was held, the gunners acquitting themselves well. The day was exceptionally hot. Another shell practice was to have been held on Thursday morning, but the weather conditions caused an indefinite postponement. Shortly after lunch, however, it was decided that? the weather was sufficiently good and the order for boot and saddle was then given. Though taken somewhat by surprise, the battery worked so effectively and expeditiously that, although the firing battery wagons had to be brought from the magazine, the battery was ready to move off in 23 minutes, the performance eliciting praise from the permanent staff. The guns were taken out to position at the trot and some excellent shooting followed. The opinion was voiced by an officer of the permanent forces that he had never seen better signalling than that carried out by the staff on that day.

After stables that evening tho battery commander, Lieutenant W. D. Philp, congratulated the battery on the excellent showing that they had made and tho eminently satisfactory improvement, this being shown chiefly by the drivers. The prize for the best all-round member of the battery staff was won by Gunner B. I). H. Mills, and the prize for the best all-round gunner by Sergeant R. Miller. Gunner N. McLean won a prize for the most improved driver and put up a most meritorious performance. Originally a member of the battery staff, he was transferred to tho drivers on Saturday of last week. Starting with practically no knowledge of horses, icnet of all gun teams, he was quite up to the average for the shoot. The prize for the best kept tent was won by Sergeants Johansen and Miller and Bombardier Tillick. Although no announcement was made, it is understood that the sub-section competition was won by D sub-sectic,.i with Sergeant Fraser as No. 1. The officer commanding the camp was Major Stevens, with Captain Parkes as camp adjutant. Lieutenant Philp commanded the battery and the section commanders were Lieutenants Pearless, Brownjohn and Cole. Sergeant Nolan, R.N.Z.A., acted as battery sergeant-major.