Q.A.M.R. INSPECTION

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1937, Page 8

Q.A.M.R. INSPECTION

TOUR OF COMMANDING OFFICER. prepAration for annual camp. An inspection of C squadron of the Gueen Alexandra's Mounted Regiment was held by Lieut.-Colonel t. L. Gibbs, V.D., officer commanding the regiment. He was accompanied on his visit by CapS. F. L. Hunt, N.Z.S.C., staff officer for the district, Capt. J. N. Henry, N.Z.S.C., adjutant of the Q.A.M.R., and Major e. Harford, officer commanding C squadron. Okato was visited first and there was a good parade. The recently formed Volunteers' Association, returned soldiers and the members of the Legion of Frontiersmen had arranged a social gathering at which more than 60 people attend-

ed. M*-. L. Hickford on behalf of the people of the district welcomed Colonel: Gibhs, who responded. Supper was dispensed by the ladies of the district. Major Fairbrother was master of- ceremonies during the evening. Lieutenant Andrews was in charge of the Q.A.M.R. troop. Waitara was visited on Tuesday night, and there was again a good muster. After the inspection the troop had supper supplied by'the returned soldiers and Legion of Frontiersmen. The Mayor, Mr. E. A. George, welcomed Lieut.-Colonel Gibbs and congratulated the men on their fine appearance. Among other speakers were the president of the Waitara branch of the Returned, Soldiers' Association, representatives of the Legion ot Frontiersmen, Mr. Taylor, president of • the Beach Society, and Mr. Sullivan, an old volunteer of the Maori War. Lieut.Colonel Gibbs responded. Lieut. Surrey and Lieut. Faull were, in charge of the Waitara troop.

Urenui was also included in . the tour and was visited : on Wednesday night. Again a very good muster / of the Q.A.M.R. was present. After tbe_ inspection the gathering \yas entertained at supper by the returned - soldiers of the district. Lieut.- Colonel Gibbs gave ; a short address on reminiscences. of Anzec. Mr. Sharpe,- president of the ;,ReturhedSoldiers' Association at Urenui, welcomed Lieut.-Colonel Gibbs. GommunUj singing- was held. Appreciative references were conveyed to. Sergeant-Major J. T. R. Bell's untiring efforts. for the young men of the district. Lieut. Faull was in charge of the troop. v Lieut.-Colonel Gibbs after the inspection expressed pleasure with the physique and general appearance of the troops inspected. Great pride was being tskeri in the cleanliness of equipment and clothing, and the drill showed that the men had beneflted by instruction. Throughout the tow great interest was

shown by the Returned ; Soldiers' Association and • Legion . of Frontiersmen, who are doing all in .their ; power to ' promote the welfare of the volunteer movement, many offering to provide horses ' for the men to take to camp. During the tour opportunity was taken to arrange details for thie trek .to take. place during the annual camp. The. rd0iment is to bivpuac at Waitara and Lepperton, and night operations are to take plac.e from these centres,. the operation to be carried out in service conditions. Through the district it was proppsed to operate over , every assistance was given by the residents, who placed properties at the disposal of the troops. The camp this year is again to be held at the New- Plymouth showgrounds. from May 14 to 27. The course for officers and n.c.o.'s will be from May 14 to 16. On May 17 the main body will arrive. , The first three d.ays in camp will be devoted to training and issue of equipment. On

May 20 the first phase of the tactical scherpe wjll stapt, the reginaent leaving camp during the imorning gnd proceeding ; to Waitara, :where : it will prepare l.ivpuac and during the night vrill out a scheme in that district. Next day the . regiment will proceed to Lepperton, when )gain it will bivbiiac and at ujight carty oixt another tactical . exercise, _returnipg to camp on '..^gturday mqniilig. Suriday, 23, is set down for visitors' day, and in the afternoon sports will he held. On May 25 another scheme will takie place- and in the evening the anriual dance will be held. combined with the lst Battalion Taranaki Regiment. Competitions will be held on May 26 and the breaking of camp will take place on May 27. Major A. E. Conway, N.Z.S.C., brigade major of the 2nd Mounted Rifles Brigade, will attend the camp. v The signalling seetion will have the use of three portable wireless sets, and special instructors for Wellington have

been detailed. An aeroplane lias also been allotted for use in the field schemes. The camp will be in charge of Lieut.Colonel T. L. Gibbs, V.D., arid- with him ar, second jn command will be Major B. W. H. Smart. The officers are: Officer Commanding A squadron (Wanganui district), Major E. F. Laws; Officer Commanding B squadron (Hawera-Patea), Major A. J. R. Hastie; Officer Commanding C squadron (Waitara district), Major E. Harford; Officer Commanding signal fi-oop (Toko), Lieut. R. Hosking; adjutant, Capt. J. N. Henry, N.Z.S.C.; quartermaster, Lieut. H. P. Stewart; medical officer,. Major P. Graves, N.Z.M.C.; veterinary officer, Capt. W. M. Webster, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.; other officers, Captains L. R. Neilson (Headquarters Squadron), C. R. Leech, J. M. J. Hartwell, Lieutenants P. H. Surry, R. J. Evans, W. Davis, E. Andrews, N. A. Sorenson, W. , G. Handley, Second-Lieutenants H. S. Hayes, W. R. Faull, S. W. Askcw and C. Coles.