THE DEFENCE FORCES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 8054, 7 March 1912, Page 1

THE DEFENCE FORCES

• IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT ’ COLONEL ROBIN, C. 8., TO GO HOME. ON IMPERIAL GENERAL, STALE. ‘ The following are among defence ap- . pointments announced yesterday: ; Colonel A. W. Robin, C. 8., C.M.G., ‘ Til)., Adjutant-General to the Forces, to ! temporarily represent the Dominion at i the Headquarters of the Imperial General Staff, War Office, Loudon, in accordance • with the agreement entered into by the overseas dominions at the recent Imperial ' Conference that each should send a senior • officer, as its representative. To date from i Juno 30th, 1912, Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary colonel) G. C. B. Wolfe to he Adjutant-General to the Forces (temporary) during the ab--1 sence from the Dominion of Colonel Robin, and to retain the temporary rank of colonel while so employed. To date ; from June 20th, 1912. Colonel Robin was born in Dunedin,' and after following a commercial career until 1899. entered the military profession. Ho commanded the New Zealand mounted troops at the Diamond Jubilee 1897. and commanded the First Contingent for South Africa in May. 1899, being thrice mentioned in despatches during the progress of the campaign. He was created a 0.8. in 1900, and became ■ O.M.Q, upon'the occasion of the Coronation of King George. The following Defence Department appointments have been approved, and will , take effect from the dates mentioned in each case: . Lieutenant-Colonel A. Bauchop, C.M.G., to command the Otago military district, vice Lieutenant - Colonel (temporary colonel) V. S. Smyth, on the .expiration of the term ‘of appointment/of the latter, and to have the temporary! rank of colonel while so employed. July 10th, 1912. Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary colonel) V. S. Smyth to command the Canterbury in Hilary district, vice Lieutenant-Colonel J E. Hawkins, deceased, and to retain the temporary; rank of colonel while so employed. July 10th'. 1913. ; > ' Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. Abbott, D. 5.0., to command the Auckland' military "district, vice Lieutenant-Colonel G. C. B. Wolfe, on the expiration of' the term of appointment of the latter, and to have the temporary rank of colonel" while so employed- / June 20th, 1912.

TRAUriNG CAMPS

GENERAL GODLEY’S IMPRESSIONS ENTHUSIASTIC, SOUND-LIMBED TERRITORIALS. After visiting four out of five campi at,, which --New, Zealand Territorials^an Training, ’ Major-General V Godley, CS»m mandant of the Forces, has returned t< Wellington thoroughly pleased with hii experiences. / “In spite of inclement weather, the attendances have averaged 80 per cent," he told a "New Zealand Times" representative yesterday. “The absentees ..arc accounted for by men who have changed their place of ' residence or have elected to come under the ‘casual’, category, enabling them to train later with anotner regiment. This , elasticity about the period of camp training does away with any ■. serious ; hardship to individuals engaged in particular’ occupations where there is periodic pressure of work. Take agriculture, for • instance. The late harvest has been a factor in postponing training of large numbers, and we propose to postpone a whole encampment in Taranaki for that reason.” Questioned about the personnel and spirit of the camps. General Godley replied : "I was very much pleased with the good physique and the excellent appearance of the men who hare been at these camps. They are zealous, and enthusiastic. Thirty or forty North Auckland Regiment at Whangarei actually rode 60 miles so that they could get to camp in time." . Is there any sign of dissatisfaction over the element of compulsion? “I see, nothing except the protests of a small section outside," replied the general. “There is not the faintest suspicion of resentment about the men in camp. Many who came reluctantly,' being a little bit afraid of what was going to happen, have expressed themselves as having spent a happy time, and they are looking forward to next season's camp. Several Wellington employers of men who camped at Oringi have commented on\the fact that, their men enjoyed it."

AREA GROUPS OVERWORKED INFANTRY ADJUT- . ANTS. , . . The area group work of the Territorial system hitherto done' by infantry adjutants in each areajias proved too heavy for one man to carry out the dual duties. Consequently, it has been decided by the Defence Department that group officers shall be appointed separately from infantry adjutants as officers. become available for these positions. This will be done by degrees.* ■/ -ALL ARMED. ■ The issue of arms .W the Territorials is now complete. MILITARY CADETS. • The Defence Department states that the batch of New Zealand military cadets for the' Australian Military College were due to arrive at Sydney on Tuesday, and arrangements had been made, for them to proceed next day to the college at Duntroon.