UNDER CANVAS

Southland Times, Issue 14633, 25 January 1911, Page 6

UNDER CANVAS

THE QUEE2T3 PAKK CAMP. Tlte work at the military training camp at Queen's Park is being carried out with consistent zeal, and eacli day shows further progress in the acitnireinent of useful knowledge in military cflieiency. Yesterday morning reveille was sounded at the usual time, and companies paraded til 0 lent. The morning's work consisted of company drill, under company commanders, members of the Band being tnrtlier exercised in stretcher drill. Evening parade was caiiod for 7.15 p.m.. and the scheme of work set down was column marching,- duo north to Herbert street, the troops being beset all the way by hostile snipers which necessitated tlio pulling out of advanced and Hank guards. Members of the Band had previously been sent ahead to act as tlie enemy. Ten rounds of blank ammunition wore issued to eacli man. The A Company (City Guards), under Bieut. Kelly, formed the advanced guard. The B Company fOrcti Rides) under Lieut. Lennie, formed the main body; and the C Company (Awarua Hiiles), under Captain O'Toole, were ordered to take up the position of right and left Hank guard, their instructions being lo keep back all hostile forces, so that Hie march might not tie impeded. Immediately on leaving Hie camp the advanced guard came in touch with the enemy, and as the column moved out it also canto under the tiro of individual hostile sniper.-.; and in this formation toe main body pushed north to the fop of -..e Park. As tiie main body advanced, the Guards kept line, facing outwards, and keeping off snipers. The manoeuvre proved to be a very instructive one, and is a form of drill absolutely necessary when a column is forcing its way through an enemy's country when harassed by the attention of prowling opponents. When Herbert street was readied, the companies reformed and returned to camp, the manoeuvre representing a column retreating and being pursued by tin enemy. B Company was told off to represent the rearguard, and half a company from the City Guards reinforced the ll,and to represent the attacking force. C Company acted its the main body, and returned straight to camp. The rearguard was kept constantly in action, closely pursued by tlie harassing enemy, and, in this formation, eamp aas readied tit 9 p.m. Tiie whole movement formed a VL'iy instructive piece of work, and tile O.C. tlie Camp (Major Murphy) criticising the manoeuvres, pointed out to company commanders several mistakes that lie had noticed during the, operations, eli icily in regard to the unit commanders not maintaining suflieieiu control over their si|iituls and sections. His by such mistakes, however, that lessons are learned, and the movement no doubt proved a prolitabie experience. When the companies were dismissed, the remainder uf the evening was, devoted to Hie enjoyment of an open-air concert by the Hand, who Were ensconced in a snug corner by the Golf Club's pavilion, and, at 10 p.m., as previously arranged, a camp-tire was set going. At in.2o m. a fire, not previously arranged, broke oifl, a pile of rubbish left from the A. and R. Show having been ignited by some miscli iovons civilian yoitlh. An alarm was sounded the whole camp turned out and mustered on the alarm post, and a bucket brigade was brought into operation. After half an hour ■>£ pretty hard work on the part of Hie men, the lire was reduced to What was considered to lie a safe condition. Quite ;i large number of Hie public were entertained in camp, and "ligli ts-out” was pu; back half an hour so'(hat tlie men enjoyed a fairly easy evening. H is probable Hint camp will be struck tonight. This morning companies will parade as usual for drill. I dune;- will be set veil in camp at 1.15 p.m,. and at 2.2b p.m. companies will parade, am! will be served with blank ammunition prior to engaging in Hie manoeuvre set apart for Hie afternoon —a battalion attack on an entrenched position.