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RAW MATERIAL.

BE ING MAX UEACTUREB INTO SOLDIERS.

AT THE HAWERA CAMP

Tho army, somebody tells us, marches on its stomach. St. Pan! lias something to say on that question of what meat is placed before one;'but as ono is under canvas and Bibles arc not on issue, one must trust to readers’ memories on the matter. Napoleon, his favourable historians tell us, bled at tho hcrat frequently and copiously because lie thought the commissariat contractors wore chousing the men as regards rations. An Old Campaigner states that the one certainty in any military camp which may be betted on is that the men will grumble about the food—in fact that the man under canvas uses his food as the civilian does his weather-—the oho thing about which everybody lias an inborn, inalienable right to grumble.' It is recorded that on one occasion some German Kaiser, who, like Napoleon, bled at the heart frequently and copiously as regards the men’s food, went one day into the cook’s room. A. couple of men passed him carrying a large receptacle containing some fluid material. Ho halted the men, and grabbed a spoon from the hand of one of the men. This man started to explain. The Kaiser blustered him down in quick time and short measure. The Kaiser dipped the spoon in the liquid and tasted it. “Soup!” he shrieked, and went from Alpha to Omega through tho whole vocabulary of German profanity, the least phrase of which ripples out like a feu do joie of field guns. “Soup!” he shrieked again; “it tastes like the water the dishes have been washed in.” “That,” said one of the men, “is exactly what it is.” No doubt the steward was close handy.

These remarks are prompted by the fact that complaints, which at first sight seemed reasonable and well founded, have been made about the feeding at the Hawera camp, and it is the plain duty of the press to investigate anything in the nature of what might be reasonably suspected to be a cause of complaint by any section of the community. These complaints were investigated, and there was found no reason for legitimate complaint, or at least no cause for complaint which could not have been remedied by action through the proper quarters, or which should not have been overlooked in view of the special circumstances. The men, during the first few days, wore rather badly served, not because of any lack of good cooking or conscientious work by the mess orderlies, but because of the cramped condition of the moss room. Now, however, the matter lias been practically settled by the officers giving up their moss room to the men and using another. It should be borne in mind further by all the men under canvas that practically the whole of the work is thrown on the staff officers, as most of the N.C.O.’s are men who cannot deny that their experience of their duties is somewhat meagre. If all the N.C.O.’s and men under canvas thoroughly understood and executed their duties and were duly impressed with the responsibility placed on each unit in a fighting force, everything would run smoothly. But when one part of an organisation is overworked as a result of stiff working of another part, failure complete and entire is to be expected, and comparative failure is, as the Rev. Bates says, “probable.” However, things are now running smoothly in the messes, and will, no doubt, run smoother as time goes on. It is worthy of note that this camp is the only one so far held in New Zealand at which porridge lias been offered in addition to a moat. Most camps have had condensed milk-—fresh milk is supplied at Hawera. At the majority of camps, also, the men must do their own cooking and mess in their tents, while here a general dining room is provided. The ordinary ration is LIU) meat and 11b bread, pepper, salt, mustard and tea being thrown in. The orderly officer of tlic day asks each batch of caters for any complaints, and so far none have been registered. The Defence Department allows- only two shillings per day for messing, and out of that lias to come sundry charges of cartage, labour and various sundries. The issuing of clothing, accoutrements and arming is almost completed ; and by noon to-day everybody should be well fitted, the Q.-M.-iS. having done his work expeditiously. It is generally remarked that the uniforms issued to the men fit them more than where they touch. The system of fitting is more or less rough and ready, and it says something for the Taranaki lads that they approximate very much to the regular measurements. Which brings to memory a “chestnut” which cannot be overlooked. In the Old Country two men were seated on a seat which was supposed to accommodate three. A very large man entered and sought to scat himself thereon. He could not push himself in. He said : “According to Act of Parliament this scat should accommodate three.” Said one of tim other passengers: “It's a great pity you weren’t constructed according to Act of Parliament.” Wherefore, men’s forms being created by act of Cod and the uniforms l>y Act of Parliament, there is every reason to be proud of the approximate dose fit actually obtained by the Taranaki men. The hospital tent has so far not justified its existence. Three men have been sent home, but they were ill before they came to camp. Last night two hundred pairs of

military bails arr;rod in can l ;). 1 hey arc on sale at Jls Gd }>< i p..ir, anti become tlie properly “in ioe simple” of the purchaser, The aidliorilicK would like to see the hoot won) uniformly on parade by all ranks, hut they can be worn at any and every time by the owner. Captain Hamilton, Brigade Major of tine battalion, is on the iield. Visitors will be welcomed on Sunday next and Wednesday next. Dr, Sprott, Bishop of Wellington, visited the camp on Thursday evening, being entertained at the officers’ mean. Afterwards he delivered an add re, n to the men, leaving for home yesterday morning. The services for Sunday have been arranged on a broad principle. A Wesleyan service will be held at 9.M0 a.in., mass at 10 a.m., Presbyterian service at 10 a.m., and the Anglican service at 10.30 a.m. Coffee and biscuits arc available for all bands at G a.m. This fact has been stated in standing orders ever since the beginning of the camp, and failure to get some has largely been resultant on failure to.carefully peruse orders. On Tuesday next the regimental boxing and wrestling contests will take place. Mr P. Skoglund (Stratford) will see fair play for the “raslors” and Mr A. C. Maxwell (Hawera) will do a similar duty for the left half-arm iolt artista. Yesterday the O.C. made an inspection of the lines. It took a good deal of time: but many of the men arc entirely raw, and have to learn much about the general arrangement of tilings. The 0.C., in Orders of the Bay, dated April 19, offers a trophy valued £4 for the best kept lines and the trophy valued at £1 for the best kept tent. : A trip around the lines clearly showed that everybody is “all in” on the competitions. Yesterday the issue of clothing, arms and equipment was continued. The work for the day consisted of squad drill, physical drill, and elementary mu sketry. In the evening a concert was hold in the grandstand, tallcnt from Hawera, organised by the Rev. Shore, providing the entertainment. II Company are practising hard tor the physical and squad drill at the sports. They think they may win. Much depends on intelligent and energetic N.0.0.’5. The team with the most of those will win. The military hoots on issue are thick-soled and sewn. , They are made of chrome leather, are not lined, have water-tight fronts, and no toecaps. 'While specially adapted for military use they are nowise unadapted for general wear. It is stated that eleven pairs were sold to H Co. men last night. H Co. is a new company, and all its M.C.O.’s have been appointed in camp, apparently on their showing. They are as follows:—Colour-Sergeant, T. Rabono; sergeants, R. Wood, T. Leverty, F. Sbeahan, and J. Burgess; corporals, B. Everiss, G. Fabler, J. Voyle, and one to he appointed; lance-corporals, W. "Walsh, H • Sharrock, J. Blyde, P. Booker, M. Coleman, W. Syme, and A. Hcdgman; buglers, P. Clemow and L. Curtis. On Thursday night the first leave of the camp was granted. It was found necessary to put nobody in the guard tent. Orders of the Bay, dated April 19th, speak for themselves:— “The O.C. wishes to convey to all ranks his appreciation of the soldierly manner in which the order of ‘lights out’ was obeyed last night.”

H Co. hopes to turn out a fair number of contestants for the wrestling and boxing on Tuesday. A couple of glove artists had a try-out in the ,i.I Co. lines last night.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19120420.2.44

Bibliographic details

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 94, 20 April 1912, Page 8

Word Count
1,522

RAW MATERIAL. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 94, 20 April 1912, Page 8

RAW MATERIAL. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 94, 20 April 1912, Page 8

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