THE TERRITORIAL CAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 95, 22 April 1912, Page 5

THE TERRITORIAL CAMP.

(To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Dear Sir.—The Railway Department does not seem to have sufficiently coiisAcred the importance of the Territonal' camp at Hawera to the people of this province. They have certainly granted excursion fares on Tuesday by the ordinary trains, but this is / not nearly sufficient. What is really diluted is the granting of excursion fares and the putting on of a special train, reaching the camp at 2 o’clock, on Wednesday next, the day of the military sports, passengers being enabled to return by the ordinary evening mixed train, or a special train could be despatched after the mail train goes through. In addition to that the Mayors of the towns in North Taranaki should invite shops to close on Wednesday afternoon in place of Thursday, so that the large numbers of young people vitally interested in our defence scheme could have an opportunity of viewing the camp and becoming acquainted with the manner in which camp operations are carried out. On Sunday a great many Hawera people visited the camp, and no doubt on Wednesday (the town’s half-hokday) another big o'rowd will assemble. But people outside the town in which the camp is held are entitled to have an opportunity of seeing what their lads are called upon to -do, and to inspect the means taken to minister to their health and comfort. At the sports to be held on Wednesday squads from the various companies will engage in drilling competitions, and the friends and parents of the lads should be given an opportunity to see how they shape. The disturbance of business resultant on. shifting the half-holiday in the North should he very small, and at the very least it would enable residents of the province to be present at an enjoyable gathering of a nature which will not he seen again for a year. Hoping it is not too late for something to he done.—l am, etc.,

CITIZEN Stratford, April 22nd, 1912.