OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21939, 28 April 1933, Page 4

OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

IN CAMP AT TAHUNA PARK A BUSY WEEK The annual camp of the Otago Mounted Rifles was commenced at Tahuna Park yesterday, by which time most of the detachments from the country districts had arrived, comprising 238 officers and men and 183 horses. It is anticipated that by to-day there will be, 250 men in camp. The commanding officer is Lieutenantcolonel A. Holland, whose second-in-command is Major A. W. Johnson. The adjutant is Lieutenant A. H. Sugden, and the quartermaster Captain W. Connor. The regiment is organised as follows: —Headquarters squadron (machinegunners and signallers), commanded by Major A. S. B. Smith; A. squadron, commanded by Captain VV. R. Christie, and drawn from Balclutha, Clinton, Taieri Mouth and Outram; B. squadron, commanded by Captain F. J. Brook, and drawn from Heriot and Gore; C squadron, commanded by Captain L. W. Neill, and drawn from Duntroon, Central Otago and Waikouaiti. Yesterday afternoon was occupied by a lecture by the commanding officer bn the traditions of the regiment and the uses of the mounted rifle in the field, and if the weather is suitable to-day a commencement will be made with troop and squadron drill at the park and on the foreshore. Troop and squadron tactical exercises will be undertaken later, and during the week a mounted sports meeting, which the public will be welcome to attend, will take place. The camp’ will also be open to the public on Sunday. Oh Monday the regiment will be inspected by Brigadier-general W. L. H. Sinclair-Burgess, when ceremonial drill in keeping with the occasion will be carried out.

Camp will be broken on Tuesday, and if the weather conditions permit a tactical scheme will be commenced at the Chain Hills at dawn. The whole regi-‘ ment will then march to Dunedin, via the Kaikorai Valley, and will approach George street by way of Pitt street, after which a route will be taken through the city about mid-day. The men in camp are all, of course, volunteers, and in spite of the very unfavourable weather with which their arrival has been greeted they are settling down well, and are keen to commence the military evolutions which constitute the principal object of the camp. They are well catered for at the camp, where hot drinks may be obtained? and entertainment is provided by . two wireless sets. In suitable weather Tahuna Park is an ideal spot for such a camp, as it offers an abundance of space] for the tents, and there is ample accommodation for the horses, which are housed in the Otago A. and P. Society’s loose boxes.