TERRITORIALS IN CAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14926, 26 February 1912, Page 5

TERRITORIALS IN CAMP.

TENTING AT MORRINSVILLE.

THE ROUND OF A SOLDIER,

Eight companies, A to H, of the Sixth Hauraki Regiment, opened camp at Annandale a mile and a-l/alf from Momnsville Junction, on Saturday, February 8. They began their life under canvas in drizzling weather, and showers have been frequent since.

The encampment is under the- command of Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Porritt, and consists of 450 men, of whom 50 are officers. They occupy about 100 tents, including the larger ones, which are used for the- hospital, officers' mess, orderly tent, and guards' tent.

The daily routine begins at 5.30, when, after a wash and a cup of coffee, the men parade, and are employed in mixed drill until 7.30. At eight o'clock breakfast is taken, consisting of bread and butter and soup, with tea and coffee. From 9.15 till 10.30 batallion parade takes place, all the men being drilled together under the commanding officer. Squad drill follows from 11.15 till 12.30, each company being taken separately under a sergeant-major. At. one o'clock dinner is served, the men havincr meat and potatoes, tea and coffee, and sometimes a pudding. At 2.15 the men are put through musketry drill, and instructed in detail in the use and management of the rifle. At 4.10 they aro dismissed until tea time. The "Last Post" is sounded at 9.45, and lights out at 10 p.m.

On Sunday, February 18, the regimental :haplain, the Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan, conlucted service in camp; and in the afterloon a good many visitors called from Morrinsville and elsewhere. Various sports and games have been indulged in during the week, including foot races, football, boxing, and tug-of-vrar. Thursday was an eventful day. Colonel Herd, director of the Defence Dcparment, inspected the territorials, and presented Lieutenant-Colonel Porritt with a long-service- medal, in honour of his 20 years' service in New Zealand. Colonel Herd apologised for the absenco of General Godley. In the evening an excellent concert was given by the men. Tho Maoris of II Company danced a haka and sang. Tho Maoris were splendid singers, and included some who are members of the Anglican choir at Rotorua. There was keen excitement on Friday, when a tuf-of-war was pulled between picked men, Maori and pakeha, 12 on each side. Tho Maoris won easily, their weight and wonderful unison being too much for the pakeha. Tho boxing gloves have scarcely been idle, and a big Maori from Rotoura has earned tho name of "Johnson," on account of his good-humour, long reach, and thunderous blows. Ono of tho stirring incidents of the camp arose from the pertinacity of two young men who, describing themselves as socialists, made themselves heard till they became a nuisance. They were chased off the grounds by five men with fixed bayonets. The camp is regarded as a very successful one, and the conduct of the men has been decidedly The pay of privates in camp is 5s a day. The '• dry canteen " came in for a good deal of merry criticism, but met with general approval. The eight camp cooks are mostly veterans, who were quite at home in the camp. The officers and men have been delighted with the camp, finding its situation ideal. A general parade was held on Saturday, and camp was struck yesterday, the men returning homo by special trains.