UNDER CANVAS

Southland Times, Issue 20395, 26 January 1928, Page 4

UNDER CANVAS

TERRITORIAL CAMP AT GORE. THE WORK ADVANCES. (From Our Correspondent.) Up till the present the territorial camp of the Ist Battalion Southland Regiment at Gore has been conducted under almost ideal conditions, yesterday's training operations being carried out in dull but warm weather. This, combined with the excellent sanitation arrangements at the camp, has been responsible for the almost entire absence o.f sickness among the troops, who are now beginning to feel the beneficial effects of the open air life. As the camp progresses the instruction given is of a more advanced order, and yesterday the men were given their first exercises in the carrying out of minor tactical schemes. To-day's tactical scheme will be of a more ambitious nature and on Friday, which will conclude the week’s training, mimic warfare will be conducted over a wide area of the surrounding country. This scheme will be carried out under observation by Major-General R. Young, C. 8., C. D. 5.0., (F) N.Z.S.C,, General Officer Commanding the N.Z. Military Forces, Lieutenant-colonel N. W. B. B. Thoms, D. M.C., N.Z.S.C,, G,5,0,1„ Southern Command, Colonel J. Hargest, D. 5.0., M.C. (F) A.D.C., Officer in Charge, 3rd N.Z. Infantry Brigade, and Colonel-Commandant M. M. Gardner, D. 5.0., R.N.Z.A, Officer Commanding the Southern Command. Yesterday's sessions were as follows: 9 to 9.45 a.m., company drill; 10 to 10.45 a.m., fire direction training; 11 to 11.45, extended order drill; 1.15 to 4 p.m., company tactical exercises; 4.15 to 5 p.m., route march.

The course of the route march led through the town, the troops returning by way of Main Street. Headed by the Territorial Band the parade presented a very fine appearance and was favourably commented upon by the large number of people who lined the streets as it passed. In many ways the improvement in the general work of the troops has been most marked. Yesterday morning the battalion drill ceremonial was particularly well carried out while another pleasing feature has been the improvement in the mounting of the guard. BEST KEPT LINE. In yesterday morning’s issue it was stated that the shield presented to the company with the best kept line was won in 1925 by Wyndham and in 1926 by Castle Rock. In both these years the shield was won by the Headquarters Company at the centres mentioned. ENTERTAINMENTS. Mr. W. D. Shelton’s concert party again visited the camp and provided excellent entertainment for the troops. These concerts have had the effect of inducing the men to spend their evenings in the camp grounds and the performers have been well rewarded for their efforts by the appreciation shown. At the conclusion of last evening’s performance Major P. H. Morey, on behalf of the officer-commanding, thanked the party for the fine programme provided and stated that at no other camp had the men been so well catered for in this way. This no doubt would have some influence when the question of where next year’s camp should be held was being considered. Subsequently the party was entertained at supper in the officers’ mess. This evening a concert will be given by the Battalion Band from Invercargill and on Friday evening the camp will return the compliment of the Gore concert party by providing the programme for the evening. It is desired that as many townspeople as possible will attend) this concert. This morning Colonel J. Hargest, D. 5.0., M.C., A.D.C., officer in charge of the first New Zealand Infantry Brigade, will arrive in camp and in the evening Major-General R. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0,, N.Z.S.C., General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces will arrive.