TAKAPAU CAMP.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12784, 6 May 1914, Page 8

TAKAPAU CAMP.

INSPECTED BY SIR lAN HAMILTON. PRAISE FOR MANAW AT C MOUNTEDS. Press Association. —By Telegraph. TAKAPAU, May 5. General Sir lan Hamilton inspected the camp at Takapau in glorious weather accompanied by his staff and General Godley, Hons. J. A. Allen, H. D. Bell, W. Fraser and Messrs J. H. Scott, D. Buick, M 's.P. The General arrived at 2.30 and during the afternoon inspected the machine guns firing ball cartridges. Ho watched the mounteds in action and also the infantry and artillery brigade. From a spectacular point of view the proceedings were not particularly striking, but from a soldier's point of view were most interesting. The General took keen interest in the doings of all the troops, asking questions of the officers and complimenting them upon the Avork that he had seen.

In an interview General Sir lan Hamilton said tlie men were a veryfine stampj they were all country troops and men wlio in some senses were half soldiers already. The mounted men could ride splendidly. The only thing that struck him was that the horses were pretty cheap. Manawatu Mounted Rifles were remarkably well mounted. V The General also inspected the camp and cook houses and expressed himself as well pleased with what he saw. The organisation was most admirable. The general training work of the camp is steadily proceeding and Avith improved weather the men are taking an interest in their task and no complaint is now heard and there is no likelihood of a recurrence of Sunday night. The whole trouble seems to be due solely to the fact of extra pay being wanted for the extra days involved in getting to and from camp. The matter is being thoroughly inquired into. To-morrow a big field day will be held. A case of diphtheria occurred today in Napier Battery and there are several minor casualties but nothing serious.