UNDER CANVASS

Southland Times, Issue 14632, 24 January 1911, Page 6

UNDER CANVASS

THE QUEEN'S PARK CAMP. Work at the infantry training camp In. Queen's Park is progressing smoothly and the men have now got thoroughly settled down. Yesterday morning the usual routine was adhered to. Companies fell in after the ordinary morning drill, which consisted uf whistle and signal drill under section commanders. Odicers commanding companies split tijjdr commands into sections, and the sergeants look them for the skirmishing practice mentioned. At 7.15 p.m. for evening instruction. The work mapped out consisted of outpost drill. A. It, and C companies were ordered to form a line of attack extending across the park; and an enemy was supposed to be advancing from a northerly direction. Hough plans had been handed to the officers commanding companies, showing the positions they were to occupy in the outpost line. Their orders-were that they were to select the best position for the picket, form their groups, push out their patrols, and establish communication by 8.15 p.m. At At S.ilO p.m. Major Murphy,, O.C. the camp, accompanied by Captain Lonnie, went round the outpost line questioning the men on their duties generally and pointing out faults in disposition that came .under notice. Speaking generally, the work was well carried out. Proper communication had been kept, group leaders had ’a good grasp of their duties. lines of resistance and observation had been opened out with judgment, and the positions selected by pickets afforded the necessary protection. Altogether the drill was very satisfactory. About 9.15 the bugle sounded the retire, and companies returned to camp, where guards were mounted as usual. While the companies were out doing pKti.tMf. work, the Band, under BandMaster Lithgow and Sergt. Cox. carried stretcher and bearer exercise. The band has a splendid muster of 55 members in camp, and these are now becoming highly proficient in the usual branch ,of their work. Just prior to the evening drill a presentation was made by the B company (Oreti Rifles) to their Chaplain Captain, the Rev. G. Lindsay, who lias, on account of leaving the district, to sever a connection of eight years, which has been mutually pleasant. ‘The presentation is elsewhere referred to. The parade states for the march past on Sunday, the highest of the week, were:— Staff —L.-Col. Henderson, V.D., Major Murphy, Captain and Adjutant Bennie, Q.-M. Ferguson, B.S.M. Robinson, Q.M.S. Cowan, Scrgt.-Bugler Thomson. Bugler Stewart. A Company (City Guards) —Capt. McKenzie, Lt. Kelly, and 54 men. B Company (Oreti Rifles) —Lts. Bennie and Lyall and 56 men. C Company (Awarua Rifles) —Capt. O’Toole, Lt. Cooke, and 55 men. 3nd Battalion Band —Bandmaster Lithgow and 33 members. Total of all ranks —193. A camp fire concert will be given tonight, when a descriptive musical programme will be played by the Garrison Band. There will probably also be a bon-fire. The public are invited.