TAPAWERA CAMP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 30 April 1914, Page 5

TAPAWERA CAMP

SPLENDID WORK BEING DONE

(Per Pigeon Express.)

Ih-e tented city at Tapaw-er.t, with its orderly streets separating various classes of the community, still enjoys serene meteorological conditions. lis inhabitants constitute a happy family, with Colonel R. A. Chaffey, V.D.. as a genial head. That the Colonel and his worthy lieutenant (Major Hughes. D.5.0.). are" popular with the men cannot be gainsaid ; their interestcdness in anything appertaining to the welfare of the rank and file justifies this popularity. A healthy spirit of camaraderie au<£ satisfaction generally prevails, and, upon a general review of the camp and its appointments, it must be admitted that this gathering approaches nearer to the military Utopia than any of its predecessors. All of -which goes to 71 rove that the wheels of the defence niachine are running smoothly, and the men in charge of it are carrying out their duties efficiently. Yesterday the. infantry undertook field 1 work. and in some cases musket recourses were gone through. The mounted brigade operated in the Tadmor Valley, their work being mainly du-ooted in attacking an imaginary enemy. In the afternoon much interest was centred in the initial practice of the 10th Mounted Kegimcntal Hand on horseback. "Despite 1 the fears of some, as to their ability to J remain seated "on deck" and the f act j tliat the horses had not been through a similar experience previously, the cxperi- J ment proved to be successful, and will be repeated daily under the direction of j Sergeant-Major Salt.

Chilly though it was out of doors last night, a large -number of "Terrys"' and officers, including Colonel Chafl'-ey and Major Hughes, gathered round a bonfire in the camp ground and listened to a really excellent- concert. which had been arranged hv the energetic Rev. Fielden Taylor, assisted, by the Rev. G. H. Curie. and a committee from the men. The programme was as follows: Selection. 10th Mounted Regimental Band ; song. Rev. Curie ; song. Private Sam Aldridge;' recitation. Private J. Goodyer ; song. Private Phillips; recitation. Private Strongman ; song, Private Bogue; address and . song, Major Hughes.- selection. 12th Regimental Band; recitation, Private Black; song. Lieutenant Gray : recitation. Lieutenant Forsyth; . recitation. Sergeant-Major Salt; song. Colonel Chaffey. The concert, which reflected credit on the performers and. the organisers, concluded with a chorus by the "Candy Kids,"' a bevy of Blenheim musical spirits. In the course of a tdtort address Colonel Chaffey stated that he considered that his remarks on Sunday had borne fruit. The men were playing the game, and for this he thanked them. Already, he considered, there was a marked improvement as the result of the camp training. Major Hughes spoke in a reminiscent vein, recounting incidents which occurred in the Boer War. particularly those concerning- General Sir, lan Hamilton. who is to inspect the camp on Monday. The Nelson Savage Club will jDrobably give an open-air concert at the camp to-night. To-day's work was practically an amplification of that done yesterday, the infantry, mounted men, and "H" Battery collaborating in held operations indie vicinity of the Motueka Valley. Alarm practice was indulged in prior to setting Cut for the day. The ambulance corps has not had to deal with any serious cases. Five fresh horses attended sick paraoe this morning, and a large number were di.-charged well.

A- splendid ptogranunt' is brin.u drawn up for the regimental snorts on Saturday, and a special train has been airaii'srd to run from Nelson, returning in the evening.

I OTHER CAMPS. (United Pess3 Association.) TAKAPAU CAMP, April 29. The Takapua encampment has so far not been favoured by good weather. The I infantry work until to-day has "been practically at a standstill, though the i mounted section have been doing the usual manoeuvres. The lines have been r in a very sloppy condition, but dried considerably to-day. The health of "the men has been exI cellent, a case of appendicitis being the most serious reported. The sufferer is Rifleman Lo'bb, of Westbrook, New Plymouth, belonging to "B" Company, 11th Regiment. He was removed to the ! Waipukurau hospital, and the latest ad vice states that he is not seriously ill. : Everything is now in readiness for the remainder of the infantry, who enter on Fridav.' 'V DUNEDIN, April 29. The.'big tactical exercise which forms the climax- of the military manoeuvres this year took place this .an area east of the Taieri river, under the scrutiny of General Sir lan Hamilton, Inspector-General of Oversea Forces. The idea was that West-land, of whom the troops in camp are part, were at war with Eastland, and were advancing through a hilly country south of Middlemarch to attack tho whole of Eastland. The chief umpire was Colonel A. W. Robin, C.8., C.M.G., and the senior umpires for the invaders and invaded respectively were,: Invaders, Lieuten-,ant-Colonei G. N. Johnston, R.E. ; invaded, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. R. H. Collins, D.S.O. Fully 700 spectators went from Dunedin, and about 300 from Middlemarch to witness the "battle." General Hamilton was very congratulatory in his remarks to the officers, aftr>r the manoeuvres. After lunch there was a march past. Before the General left a party of Territorials danced a haka. which greatly amused General 'Hamilton'.

General Hamilton returned to town this evening, and was accorded a civic" reception. He will leave for Oamaru tomorrow.