TERRITORIAL CAMPS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13381, 2 April 1912, Page 6

TERRITORIAL CAMPS.

12th REGIMENT AT TAPAWERA

The first Territorial camp of the infantry held in Nelson is now in progress ut Tapawera, in most suitable grounds placed at the disposal of the, Regiment by Mr- G. Macmahon.

'Saturday's early morning steamer brought from Blenheim and surrounding "localities 176 Territorials, and there with tin? city men, afterwards loft Nelson by special morning train, and the- total 'number in camp is 407. The men on parade presented a most unique eight, a large proportion turning up in. plain clothes. It is peculiarly characteristic of men of the Nelson portion of tho Canterbury district whether under the o'd volunteer system or under the new order of things that they tiro always orderly and well behaved. With such a conglomeration of young men as arc now in camp, the major portion of whom have had little drill or camp service, it might have boon expected that order would have lxvn diffruilfc to maintain in tho earlier stages of the camp, hut it k p*:-.^*:-^ to record that iho old tradition of the district h-.is. beon maintained, and tho behaviour is extremely satisfactory. Both cntraininu. on I Ik- journey, and detraining tho men bclnv/d _liko staid troops, and the camp promises great results.

oaturday and th:- ear'is-r portion of I Sunday were 1 'spent in billotting and unifor'niing the- ni'-n, and iutlin afternoon. Chaplains -T. U. MacKfMiziV and O. X.' iif-'wlott, tho <-!orgyinea in camp, lio-ld a combiiivxl divine sorvir.e, the. latter taking tlm prayers and t!:c former thr* lesson and sermon. Drill in earnest commenced yesterday morning and will continue till the end of tho weeli. Major lv. V.'. Stiles is in command, and has tho following staff: Adjutant: Capt. W. H. Meddings; Capt. 11. M: Irvine, R«g. Sergt.-Major Co dough and Area Sergt.-Majors H. Redmond and Thomson, Meg. Quartermaster Sergeant W. N. Bates. ! Lieut.-Col. W. 11. Fearless is attached for medical duty, and a'is-o Capt. C P. Thornton, of tho head-quarters staff. ■On Sunday His lordship the Bishop 'and tho ofiicors of the Wakatn Mounted .U'iiles paid a visit to tho camp. There are, in all, 120 tents and marquees, and tho comfort of tho men has received particular study, and they appear happy and contented. Tho catering arrangements aro good. 'J'ho parado statement shows the, following other officers and numbers in camp: — A. Company (Stoko Iliflles) (attached for duty, Liout. C. P>. l^rereton, • and Second Lieut. Moad) 84 B Company (Ukniioim Riilos) (Capt. (!. P. J.i(;g<?rs and Second Lieut. G. C. Griffith/-) ■ 56 C Company (Wf-iinsa Rifles.) (Capt. Le'Mottoo (attached), Lieuts. Griffiths and Ford 70 I) Company (Nelson RiHes) Lient. A. T. Johnson and Second Lieut H. Saunders ' 47 '15 Company (VVaitohi Ilifk\s) Capt. - . H. J. Robinson Second fiieuts. Parker nnd Gilford (attached) 11(5 Field ambulance. '22 Staff ' 12 Total . 407 . Lieut.-Colonel Pear-ess ia president of the officers' moss and Lieutenant Griffiths vice-president.

At th-o officers' mess on Monday evening a resolution of sympathy was raised to Major W. H. J3ryaiit"in his

illness