MILITARY TOURNAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15500, 6 January 1914, Page 9

MILITARY TOURNAMENT

CONCLUDING EVENTS.

COMMANDANT'S PRAISE.

PROUD OF NEW ZEALAND'S ARMY.

The ninth annual New Zealand naval and military tournament concluded at the Campbell Show Grounds, Epsom, yesterday. Throughout the day the weather was beautiful, and there was an attendance of between 2000 and 3000 people. The Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, Major-General A. J. Godley, C.8., who has just returned from a visit to the Old Country, was present, also the Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister for Justice) and the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister for Customs). Mr. George Elliot (president of the Exhibition) and Mr. W. R. Holmes (secretary of the Exhibition) attended during the afternoon.

The takings at the gate for the day were £83, making a total of £200 taken during the tournament.

The most spectacular event yesterday was the musical drive by the Royal New Zealand Artillery. This was a very fine exhibition of driving, and passed off without a flaw or a hitch. The display was enhanced materially by the presence of the Royal Artillery Band, which played the accompanying music to the maze of evolutions.

The result of the route march, over a course of five miles, was somewhat different to what was expected. Besides the territorials, teams representing the Royal Marine Light Infantry and the bluejackets entered from H.M.S. Philomel. The march ended in a win for the sailors, which came as a surprise, as it was thought that the marines would be victorious. The latter, however, were not placed. Some of the territorials felt the heat severely, and one or two had to retire suffering from ' slight sunstroke. At the close of the competitions, the whole of the troops formed up for a marchpast. Headed by the bluejackets, who were fully laden with their marching kit, the troops marched in column formations past General Godley. The bluejackets were loudly cheered as they went by the crowded grandstand. After the march past the troops gave the general salute. General Godley's Address. General Godley tnen addressed the troops. He said that everyone appreciated the work that had been done by the various teams. He had no hesitation in saying that what he had seen compared very favourably with the work of the army at Home. "I feel very proud indeed to command the New Zealand Army, of which I see representatives who can work as well as you have worked to-day," continued the General. "He had been asked to express the regret of His Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Liverpool) and the Minister for Defence (Hon. James Allen) at not being able to attend the tournament. However, they were fortunate in having two Ministers of the Crown present. " I think that New Zealand has every reason to be proud of these samples of her army which we have seen to-day." remarked General Godley, "and in the name of the army, and on my own behalf, and that of the officers, I wish to thank all those who have taken so much trouble to make this tournament the very great success that it has been." General Godley also thanked the men of the navy fox having helped to make the tournament successful. The prizes won during the tournament wer<3 not presented pubScly owing to the lateness of the hour. A number of the visiting competitors left for the South last night. The Results. The results of the contests were as follows — Route March. Distance, about five miles; marching order, and water bottles full. Possible marks. 250.—P. 0. Hollamby's team, H.M.B. Philomel, 237 points, 1; Ist Battalion, 9th Regiment (Wellington), 214 points, 2; 4th Regiment team (Otago), 3. Eleven other teams competed.

Maxim Gun Competition. Total marks, 530.—Sergeant McGregor's learn, 4th (Waikato) M.R., 468 points, 1; Lieutenant Brace's team, Bth (Southland) Regiment, 448 points, 2; Sergeant Holland's team, 2nd (Wellington) Eegiment, 422 points, 3. Two other teams competed.

Squad Drill • (senior cadets).—Sergeant Harper's team, Bth Regiment Junior Band, 358 points, 1; Colour-Sergeant Dunne's team, Gore High School cadets, 355 points, 2; Colour-Sergeant Cochrane's team, 47th (Waimate) S.C.. and Wellington Y.M.C.A. team, tied with 353 points, 5. Fifty-one other teams also competed. Cockade Fight (or Balaclava Melee).— Sergeant McGregor's team, 4th (Waikato) M.8., 1; Quartermaster-Sergeant Teddy's team, 4lh (Waikato) M.R., 2. Twenty other teams also" competed.

Field Ambulance Competition. Possible marks, —Corporal Burgess's A team, No. 3 Field Ambulance (Nelson), 96 points, 1; Sergeant Helling's A team, No. 1 Field Ambulance (Auckland), 82 points, 2; Lieutenant Bone's A team, No. 2 Field Ambulance (Dunedin), 81 points, 3. Eight other teams competed.

Trumpet Competition. Possible marks, 100.—Trumpeter R. G. Ward, Railway Corps (Christchurch), 100; Bombadier Webley, H Battery (Nelson), 99 points, 2. There were seven other competitors. Senior Cadets High Jump— Bugler Wayte. Gore High School S.C. (sft 2in). 1; Corporal Waddell. Gore High School C2; Private Burtenshaw, Dannevirke High School S.C, 3. Forty-five others competed.

Tilting at the Ring.—Sergeant McGregor, 4th (Waikato) MR., 21 points, 1; Private Cissy, 4th (Waikato) M.R.. 20 points, 2. '.there were 61 other competitors. Field Telegraph Competition (Territorials). —Divisional Signal Company, Christchurch) won by default, the Auckland Divisional Signal Company not competing. Artillery Driving Competition.Driver Turner's A team, E Battery (Christchurch), 1; B team, B Battery (Dunedin). 2; Gunner Bennett's team, H Battery (Nelson), 3. Eleven other teams competed. Jumping Competition, for Officers Oft 6in Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Braithwaite, D.5.0., Imperial General Staff, 118 roints, lj Lieutenant W. Deans, Ist (Canterbury leomanry) M.R., 117 points, 2. ihcre were 14 other competitors. Jumping Competition, for N.C.O.'s and Men.Corporal R. P. Meyers, Ist (Canterbury Yeomanry) M.R., 60 points. 1; Sergeant A. E. Cooper, Ist (Canterbury Yeomanry) M.R , 59 points, 2. Forty-two others competed. Wrestling on Horseback.—Private Pegg's team, 4th (Waikato) M.R., 1; Sergeant Beaumont's team, 11th (North Auckland) MR , 2. Eight other teams competed. Sabre v. Sabre, for Senior Cadets.—Sergeant Crook, Marist Brothers' S.C. 1. Tue-of-War on Horseback.Corporal Wright's B team, 11th (North Auckland) M.R.. 1; Sergeant Beaumont's A team, 11th (North Auckland) M.R, 2; Shoesmith W. Shinley's team, lHi (North Auckland) M.R. 3. Tug-of-War (open to all members of defence forces).—Lawler's team, H.M.S. Philomel. 1: H Company sth Regiment (Auckland), 2. Rescue Race (over 3ft hurdles).—Private Brosnahan, Blh (South Canterbury) M.R., 48 l-ss, 1; Private Black. Bth (South Canterbury) M.R. 50s, 2: Private Pollard, 4th (Waikato) M.R., 51s, 3. Tent-pegging by Sections.—Sergeant Beaumont's A team. 11th (North Auckland) MR.. and Sergeant Edgar's team. 48 points each, 1; Sergeant McGregor's A team, 4th (Waikato) M.R., 38 points. 2. Physical Drill Competition (Senior Cadets). Sergeant Andrew's team, 61st (Wanganuii D.C., 1: Wellington Technical College team. 2: Col.-Sergeant Yule's team, Dunedin Hibernian D.C.. 3. Obstacle Race (Individual competition).— Sergeant W. L. Stewart, 13th Regiment, 1; I mate A. J. Sutherland, Bth Regiment (Southland), 2; Private Frost, 29th (Wellington) Regiment, 3. Alarm Race (open to all members of New Zealand forces).—Sergeant Stevens's team, 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment. 96. 1: Servant Hunter's team, 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment, 90, 2. Barrel . Pier Raft Competition.-Sergeant-Major Richardson's team, No. 1 Field Com(Christchurch). 138 points, 1: Lieutenant Statham's team, No. 2 Company (Dunedin Engineers), 124 points, 2: Sergeant Patrick's team. 3rd Field Engineers (Auckland) 95 points. 3. Demolition Competition.Co»hlan's tail. H.M.S. Philomel, 95 points. 1; Quai.er master Sereeant Ilea's team. No. 1 Field Company (Christchurch), 87 points, 2. ISOYds Veterans' Race (for competitors holding *6 years' or 20 years' long-service medal).—Lieutenant 37th (Auckland) Senior Cadets (2yds). I: Veteran Collie '6yds), 2: Major Murray. 78th 'Otago) Senior Cadets (34yds), 3. There were six other I competitors.