TROOPS PARADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 12

TROOPS PARADE

KING'S BIRTHDAY SPECTACLE IN DOMAIN MOTORISED EQUIPMENT THE NAVY PARTICIPATES Although lacking the presence of the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, who is in Wellington, yesterday's parade in the Domain in celebration of the King's Birthday provided a most satisfying spectacle, which was witnessed by thousands of people. One feature of past parades, the. Royal salute by artillery on tlie Domain Hill, was omitted this year in the interests of patients in the Auckland Hospital, and one was fired from the saluting battery at North Head, Devonport. By way of compensation, the spectators were treated to a comprehensive display of mechanised equipment, including field and anti-aircraft guns, mobile searchlights, lorries, vans, cars and motor-cycles. Rear-Admiral Takes Salute Among those present in the grandstand were Her Excellency Lady Galway and her children, who were received by the president of the New Zealand Territorial Association, the Hon. E. R. Davis, M.L.C. Other onlookers included the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, foreign consuls and members of Parliament. Seats were provided near the saluting base for a party of old soldiers from the Veterans Home. ■ _ The salute was taken by RearAdmiral the Hon. E R. Drummond, who is about to vacate the command of the New Zealand Division of tho Royal Navy and who was attended by his staff. The parade was under the command of Colonel O. H. Mead, officer commanding the northern military district. . A beautiful sunny morning, with no breeze and only cool enough to be invigorating, made conditions most pleasant for troops and spectators alike. As usual, the green arena of the park provided an ideal setting for the pageant. Inspection Dispensed With The troops mustered at various points in the Outer Domain, _ with the exception of the naval units, which marched np from the city, headed by the Marine Band of H.M.S. Achilles. Well before 10 a.m. tho parade was formed up from end to end of the ground, the Navy on the right and then in order the Royal New Zealand Artillery with two lorries drawing 18pounders, a detachment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, tho Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and territorial and cadet units. The bands were massed in the rear, where the vehicles were also lined up in order that the movement of the troops might not be impeded. The scarlet tunics of the band of the Auckland Regiment made a -bright spot of colour among the. prevailing khaki and blue. When Rear-Admiral Drummond arrived, the White Ensign was broken out upon the staff at the saluting base, and the parade presented arms iii the general salute. In order to shorten the' proceedings and avoid tiring the younger cadets, the usual inspection was dispensed with, and the marchpast began immediately. Fine Marching by Marines Leading the parade, several platoons of bluejackets with a single colour borne by a junior officer, went by with tho workmanlike steadiness for which tho Navy is always noted. The Marines, who followed, gave one of the marching displays that never fail to delight an Auckland crowd, and won generous applause. The same was accorded to the motorised field guns, led by an officer in a smart little open car, and making a contrast with memories of the fine horse teams which have often been seen at King's Birthday parades, and which for the most part have now been sold and dispersed. After the Air Force, field and coast artillery, engineers and signallers came the Auckland Regiment, whose colours, like that of the Navy, were saluted, the people in the grandstand vising to their feet. The same compliment was given to the colours of the Hauraki, North Auckland and Waikato Regiments, which had been brought to Auckland for the parade with escorts of about a platoon each. The Army Service Corps and field ambulance units brought up the rear of the territorials. Large Cadet Units The cadets, who formed a very large proportion of the total strength, made an inspiring display, and their marching was more uniformly good than in former years. King's College and the Mount' Albert Grammar School wore khaki, while the other units, including the very large battalions of the Auckland Grammar School and the Seddon Memorial Technical College were in their blue school uniforms. The King's.College battalion inarched past to its own drums and bugles, which made a break in the music of the bands. Another interlude iji the infantry parade was provided by the motor-cycle platoon of the Auckland Regiment. This was led by a light car and included a side-car outfit in addition to the solo machines. Vehicles Go Past The mechanised parade was led by the anti-aircraft guns, each towed behind a six-wheeled lorry and followed by another. Three searchlight lorries were also six-wheelers. The transport vehicles, provided from the district pool and manned by the permanent Army Service Corps, comprised lorries and Vans, all, like tho artillery lorries, pointed in irregular geometrical patterns of green, brown and grey. Three motor-cycles and several cars were included in the parade. When tho troops had re-formed on their original alignment the White Ensign was lowered, the Union Jack was broken out in its placo and a Royal Salute was given. The parade then advanced in review order and was a second salute, after which the guns sounded faintly from Head. At tho call of tho reviewing officer three cheers were given for His Majesty the King. There was a third salute as the flag was lowered, and Rear-Admiral Drummond received a general salute as he left the ground. The parade was 3610 strong, comprising 138 officers and 3472 othor ranks.