MILITARY COMPETITION

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 40

MILITARY COMPETITION

I here was a fair attendance at the Wingatui racecourse yesterday to witness the competition for the Roberts Cup and other events of military and general interest, held co "nection with the Otago University Officers' Training Corps' camp. Among those present were:—Mr John Roberts, C.M.G., Dr H. Lindo Ferguson (dean of the medical faculty), and Mr W. Downie Stewart, M\P.

The principal'event competed for wag the Roberts Challenge Cup, donated by Mr John Roberta, and very keen interest was taken in the result. Tho competition was restricted to squads of six men and non-, commissioned officer, and the idea uvas the carrying- of wounded men off the battlefield. A patient was placed on the ground head to the rear, at 100 paces distant, 50 paces of which were supposed to be under fire. _ Attached to the patient was a tag describing- tho injuries to be treated, which were such as to require the use of a rifle and splints. The dressing was to be done where the patient lay, triangular bandages , only being used. When this was completed the patient had to stretcher and the squad'had to carry him back the 100 paces previously traversed. After removing the patient, the stretcher had_ to be closed, and the squad placed as if ready to- repeat the collection of the wounded. The judges of this event were: Stretcher work—Major Malcolm (O.C. camp) and Sergeant-major Thompson; bandaging—Surgeon-majors Ritchie and Gowland. Five squads competed, and the result was: Corporal Boag's squad (81 points), lj Corporal Eudey's squad (72 points), 2; Corporal Clarke's squad (64 points), 3. The other events resulted as follow: Despatch Race (440 yards).—C Section (Corporal Park, Private 'Pennant, Sergeants Luke, Colvin, Biliclift, and Hutchison), 1. Fireman's Rescue Race. —O'Neill and O'Sullivan 1, Colvin and Monro 2, Johnston and Shirer 3. Tent Pitohing and Striking Competition. —Sergeants Hutchison and! Bakewell (86 points) 1, Sergeants Graham and Campbell (84 points) 2. Tug-of-war.—B. 'Section (Sergeant Luke, coach; and Privates Hutchison, Saunders, O'Connor, Johnson, Perry, and Greville), 1; C. Section, 2. Dressing Race.—O'Sullivan (42 points) 1, Reid (40 points) 2, O'Brien and Rule (30 points each) 3..' The judges were: Fireman's race, Major Malcolm and Lieutenant Shand; despatch race, Lieutenant Shand; tug-of-war, Major Gowland; dressing race, Major Ritchie and Lieutenant Shand.