THE TRENTHAM CAMP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11581, 23 May 1916, Page 6

THE TRENTHAM CAMP.

A VISIT OF INSPECTION. Per Press Association. Wellington, May 23. An inspection ot the Trentham Camp was made this afternoon by a large party of visitors consisting of members of Parliament and others. An interesting programme was arranged for the occasion, A general inspection was made of the camp, which is now in excellent condition, and affording a sharp contrast to its state last mid winter. A visit was then paid to the Engineers’ trenches, where two companies of the 18th Infantry gave interesting displays representing trench warfare, including an attack on the enemy’s trenches, an action of a bombing parly, as well as an exhibition in a mild form ot a gas attack and the explosion of mines at the sap heads. The rushing of the trenches representing the enemy's position, after a few minutes of rapid rifle firing and the use of a few bombs, created great interest The Engineers were also seen engaged on the construction of bridges, fascines, etc. The infantry of the 18th gave a demonstration of raid tiring at falling targets, and the representation of the occupation of an enemy trench and repelling of a counter attack. A machine gun demonstration followed this portion of the programme, and was watched with keen interest, affording as it did an idea of the brief period of hot work in the firing line. The officers and noncoms. of the 17th gave an exhibition of the use uf service targets concealed in the ground. The next item, although affording no demonstration of fighting tactics, was one of the most interesting of the day. This consisted of the demonstration by members of the Kith of the standard test, elementary training, squad drill, and genera! musketry All this work was done in sections, and squads under non-coms. The spectacle of over two thousand men, divided into these small bodies, each busily engaged in carrying out its own work in close proximity to each other, was very striking. Although these men have been in camp barely three weeks, they have made considerable progress In their training. The afternoon’s programme concluded with a march past of the wbole of the troops in camp, consisting of about live thousand men. This was another interesting spectacle, the marching of the latest recruits (the Sixteenths) provoking many expressions of admiration.