MECHANISED TRANSPORT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19247, 12 February 1937, Page 13

MECHANISED TRANSPORT

ARMY OF DOMINION EXPERTENTS AT WAIOURU MINISTER'S INSPECTION (P«r Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. During the present week tests are being carried out by the regular army at Waio.uru for the purpose of ascertaining whether motor transport available in New Zealand can be used instead of sixhorse teams for the hauling of "uns. A change in this direction has already oeen made, in the British Army., but in New Zealand it calls for the adoption of slightly different methods. Various types 'of tractors and six-wheel lorries have been tried out, under arduous and often exciting] conditions, and the men engaged have gained valuable experience, while tin l department will also gather much useful information.

The Minister of Defence, the Hon. I'\ Jones, accompanied by the G.0.C., Major-General Sir William SinclairBurgess, and Colonel T. T. Blandish, commanding the Central Command, witnessed the trials yesterday. Mr. Jones to-day expressed appreciation of the ready co-operation shown by (he various motor firms concerned, lbsaid that they had rendered excellent assistance and in addition had ungrudgingly given the department the benefit of their experience and knowledge on technical matters. The results of the tests had been most gratifying and would prove of national value.

Mr. Jones also stated that the recent experiment of forming motor-cycle Lewis-gun platoons in each infantry battalion was proceeding very well, and consideration would be given to the gradual extension of mechanised transport for all military units. Mr. Jones also inspected the Eighth Howitzers Battery carrying out its annual camp at Waiouru.