12TH BATTERY IN TRAINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19011, 6 November 1923, Page 10

12TH BATTERY IN TRAINING.

CAMP AT MATARAE. The 12th Battery, N.Z.F.A., commenced its annual course of training at Matarae on Saturday night. The Battery, which arrived at its camping ground on Saturday evening, was preceded by an advance party, which had built a ramp for the unloading of the guns and had managed to erect the cookhouse and the majority of the tents. Detraining was carried out expeditiously, and highly-trained troops would have been hard put to to have exceeded the speed in which that operation was performed. By 9 p.m. the camp had been made comfortable. The men had had a hot tea on the trip up. Sunday morning was spent in fatigues which were necessary to render' conditions comfortable. In the early afternoon divine service was conducted by Mr Drew, of tho Y.M.C'.A. This service was also attended by many of the residents of the district and by visitors from Middleniarch. The weather so far has been all that could be desired. The rations are liberal, and the cooks are very competent, so it is no wonder that the men are-enjoying their training. Live shell practice will be hold on Thursday and Friday mornings. The battery is under the command of Major J. G. Jeffery, M.C., and he has associated with him in the carrying out of the training Lieutenants Rhodes. Sleigh, and Parker, and the senior R.N.Z A. instructors present also are Captain Parkinson and Lieutenant V. G. Jones. For those wishing to write to relatives attending this camp the letters addressed to 12th Battery, N.Z.A. Training Camp, via Sutton, will find their destination. The Y.M.C.A. has erected a big recreation marquee on the camp site, and their representatives, Mr Drew and Mr Fraser, are doing everything possible to create pleasure for the men in their leisure time.