THE TAPAWERA CAMP.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13455, 29 April 1914, Page 4

THE TAPAWERA CAMP.

GOOD WORK BEING DONE,

In spite of the unfavourable weather conditions, which prevailed during the first few days of tho Territorial camp at Tapawera, commenced on Thursday la?t, very excellent work is being done by th© various branches, and muck practical good should result. The mounted rn.en.frpm Blenheim di*. trict reached camp on Sunday morning and had a very arduous and unpleasant march, rain falling throughout the journey. Difficulty was experienced with the baggage waggon owing to the flooded state or' the creeks. The men camped at Red Hills on Friday night, and at Korere on Saturday night. Notwithstanding the trying weather conditions, the men were* quite cheerful and made no complaint. The Pelorus men reached camp on Saturday evening, wet. weather also being experienced practically throughout tho journey. The Takaka squadron, which arrived in eani(> on Saturday evening, also had a wet ride.

Sunday was spent quietly in ramp. A church parade was held, the Protestants attending a united service, and aMass being held by Father Fay, of Blenheim, for the Catholics. The united service wa-B conducted by •the Rev. T. Fielden Taylor. The Rev. G. H. Curie read the lesson, and the ,Rev. 0. Eaton preached an excellent sermon, taking for his text from Romans 12, 17, "Take thought of things honourable in the sight of men. Special hymns were sung, the music being supplied ■byghe .'bands of the 10th and 12th Regiments, under Bandmaster Forest, Of the, band of the 10th Ilegi- ■> After the service" Colonel Chaffey presented Lieutenant Pritchard, ot the lOtli Mounted Regiment, with the- Tern - tonal officers' decoration for twenty years' service*' ■■'■. ' ■" In the afternoon the bands played selections in the camp, which was visiteil bVnumbers of local residents. "The discipline of the men, with iew exceptions, is excellent, and only one offender has been placed under guard, and will be sent to Blenheim to be tried by the civil authorities. The weather on Monday was tine, and the troops had a busy day The infantry were exercised in musketry an« company drill, and the mounted men m mounted work, and the artillery in field operations. Yesterday the weather was again fine, but cloudy, and similar work was done. - The machine gun section, was also exercised.. The, troops leave camp in the morning at nine o clock, taking their mid-day meal with the.i., and return at four o'clock in the aiteinoon The evening© are spent m «:- Son, and the C.E.M.S. tent, under the supervision oi the Keys. 1. J. ■ id.\lor anS G. H. Curie, is much appreciated. Both these gentlemen are doin" all in their power to see that tlio m?n enjoy themselves m a national manner. A very successful boxing tournament-was held on Monday evea--111 The health of the men on the wholeis excellent. Three men only have •bee-nsent home as unlit. A word of praise- is due to the railway manager Mr T. Edwards, for the manner in which he is runnin K hi» branch of the operations. Arrangements arc being made ioi asports meeting on Saturday, and a special train will run iioin town.