WITH THE TERRITORIALS

Southland Times, Issue 17002, 28 March 1912, Page 6

WITH THE TERRITORIALS

GORE ENCAMPMENT. to the Times). GORE. March 27. Under canvas in the vicinity of Gore are encamped 400 men, members of the 3th Regiment. All day on Tuesday men had boon steadily mustering at the regimental headquarters and on the arrival of the special train, half an hour late, on that day the final muster of men could be arrived at. Interest centred in the personnel of the members, tlie greater majority of which had assembled for the first time for instruction under cun\as. With a steadiness and bearing that may well have been credited to a regiment of the line, the process of detraining and marching Into camp was carried out. On assembly at the camp, which is situated in an ideal spot, the Gore Show grounds, the men were posted by their touts, and after coffee and biscuits, retired for the night. First'nights in camp are usually characterised by some noise and strenuous outburst. Tuesday evening proved different, for by midnight the camp was quiet and lights were out before the bugle had sounded. Old volunteers are agreed that the first night was the quietest ever known. On Tuesday evening tlie regiment presented a haphazard appearance, but with the issue of uniforms first thing yesterday morning matters assumed a Very different aspect., The regiment were practically fully clothed and the first uniform parade held in ttie afternoon presented a military display that was surprising in its completeness.

The parade states are:—Staff: Lieut.Col. James Boyne, V.D., commanding; Major Watson, Captain-Adjutant H. Wheeler, N.Z.S.C.; Lieut. Q.M. Ferguson: Staff Sergeant-major Burgess; Q.M.S. Robertson; Q.M.S. Cowan: total, 7; A Company, City Guards. Lieut. Davidson and 4!> men, 50; B Company, Awarua Rifles, Captain W. B. O'Toole and GO men, 61; C, Company, Gore Rifles. Captain Domlgan, Lieut. Shanks, 53 men, 55; D Company, Wlnton Rifles, Lieut. Hammond, 37 men, 38; E Company. Orepuki Rifles, Captain Crowther and 51 men, 53; F Company, Bluff Guards, Captain Nichol and 40 men, 41; G Company, Queenstown Rifles, Lieut, J. Mackenzie and P. Mackenzie, and 40 men. 42: H Company. Riverton Rifles, 46 men, 46: Regimental Bund, Bandmaster Llthgow and 19 men. 20. Grand total on parade, 413—alj ranks. In addition some 36 details ■ from the 4th Regiment, Dunedin, are present, which added to the instructors present brings the total under canvas up to 500. Tlie system of training has been early organised and is complete as well as being thorough. Each company has a qualified Instructor, some of the company X.C.O.’a being promoted for the purpose. These Instructors control the companies Irr elementary training. The N.C.O. rank Wre under the care of ,Captaln Glendinning, N.Z.S.C., wtio details instructor’s duties. The officers c)re squadded unjler Captain Moore. D.5.0., and will drill daily in sword drill, communication drill -and company manoeuvres. The buglers practice daily under Bandmaster Llthgow. A syllabus of training for eacli day has been prepared by the commanding officer and includes physical drill, section and company drill, battalion manoeuvres and route marching. The behhvlour of the men lias been excellent so far while the discipline is of a very high standard as compared, with the days of volunteering. The men are keen, and, now that they are uniformed, show an early development into first-class fighting material. They are an exemplary lot of men and of fine physique. Lieut.Col. Boyne, in a short Interview, said ho considered the men to be of a superior class, for lie had never yet experienced a camp of such orderliness and gentlemanly behaviour. The Rev. C. J. Bush-King, who has been present in many camps of late, stated that he had not yet attended a camp so well-behaved and sto orderly. The circumstance, he believed, was due to the class of officers present. , The Church of. England Men's Society is< represented in camp by the Rev. C. J. Bush-King, and his quarters are now in working order. A mail service has been- aranged with the postmaster, inward and outward, while a piano and all kinds of table games add considerably to wliat Is already the popular resort daring hours of recreation. . *

Mr D. Cox is in charge of the Y.M.C.A. department. and had his rooms in working order last night. This place has already received considerable patronage. The commissariat department is being ably controlled by Lieut. A. M. Ferguson, marquees being available for eacli company as a dining room. At eight o’clock each morning the blue ensign is hoisted on the flag staff station, the band of the Regiment playing the National Anthem. The opening stralns*are the Signal for each man to spring Immediately to attention and salute; this .is being punctilliously carried out.

The battalion is inspected twice dally commanding officer, at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. • At the morning parade prayers are said by some of the available chaplains, Chaplain-Captain Rugby Pratt officiating yesterday morning.