THE MEN IN CAMP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6717, 13 February 1900, Page 3

THE MEN IN CAMP.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. In spite of the constant fresh arrivals of men, . horses and stores, the routine of the camp continues to be carried on in the same orderly manner, and the new-comers speedily adapt themselves to the discipline which has already become habitual with the campaigners of a fortnight's standing. One never hears any grumbling,. and the one anxiety of all is to leave for the front as speedily as .possible. The last man of the Canterbury Troop was sworn in this morning by Lieu-.tenant-Colbnel Slater, and the fear of being rejected is now numbered with the. things of the past. During the morning there were very few men in the camp, as forty-one having paraded mounted at 9.15 proceeded to the Cashmere range for ball practice. Lieutenant Bourne was in charge of these, and the firing point was supervised by Staff-Sergeant-Ma jor Taylor. Another mounted parade, 54 strong, under Captain Lindsay, C.Y.C,, assisted by Lieutenant Tucker and Sergeant-Major Rhodes, C.Y.C, left the camp at 9.30 and proceeded with the servica advance and rear guards to Hagley Park, where formation movements and extended section work was practised, the North Islanders shaping remarkably well. ,■...■: At -the early morning parade forty-om men, under Staff-Sergeant-Major Jones, 'were' (instructed in marching and firing exercises, while Staff -Sergeant j Maj or Tayloi had no less than fifty-five at similar work, and Actang-Colour-Serge^nt Rose instructed eight recruits in preliminary drill. A1 breakfast Camp-Sergeant-Majoß Coleniar presented Trooper; 3J. J. 'Harper with Cap tain Lindsay's prize of £1 for the beitffc ibali practice aggregate, and three hearty cheew were given for Captain Lindsay. A privat<

meeting of the Canterbury Troop was held this morning, and it is rumoured that the men do not intend to overlook certain kindly services rendered, t'hcujjh the matter is of course, a secret at present. Work is very brisk in the combined store and saddlery-room of the Canterbury Troop, and if all the dees, etc., are not firmly fixed before the date of departure it will not be lor want of effort. Major A. W. Wright (Reserve), who after fourteen years' captaincy of the Canterbury* Yeomanry Cavalry still takes a keen interest not only in his old corps, but in mounted work generally, is staying unofficially in camp, and expresses ■himseh' greatly pleased with Avhat Ire has seen of the men and their work. A steady drizzle from the. east came on shortly before noon. Mr A. R. Falconer, missionary to the Sailors' "Home, Dunedin, was interviewed by Mr W. Chrystall yesterday with reference to the Testament promised to each man in the contingent by Mr Falconer. Mr Chrystall introduced Mr Falconer to the Mayor, who agreed to accept the books. The Presbyterian Churches, recognising that Mr Falconer was first in the field> have with-drawn-their offer. ' '..•'■ Mr J. Bayne,tlie Director of the School of Agriculture, Lincoln, has forwarded to Mrs G. E. Rhodes, who is collecting comforts for the men of the Canterbury Troop for the voyage, two 'bags of apples, two bags of cabbages, one bag of rhubarb, and > eight jars of jam. The shooting this morning was a great improvement on previous attempts. Five shots were fired at 400yds, the possible being 20, and the following weTe" the highest scores: — Lieutenant Bourn 18, Trumpeter Syme 17, and Corporal Stevenson and Sergeant Walker 16 each. Captain Dougall and ten tried shots of the Canterbury Engineers shooting team will attend at the Cashmere Range at 10 o'clock to-morrow morningj for the purpose of testing the sighting of the Lee-Enfield carbines. . . ... A small ■ "court -martial was* held this' lho'Hiing, when one man received a severe rating from Lieutenani-Golonei ' Slater for want of proper respect to a non-commissioned offtcef, while eight of the .visiting men were in trouble for coming Jate' oh parade.' . " Fifteen of the* Wanganui men' wlio" came down in the Hotomahana reached camp at 12.45 p.m.. to-day, under the escort- of Trooper C. Parkinson. The remainder, under their lieutenant, are bringing their horses round by road, under the guidance of Corporal Parkinson, C.Y.C. The men who have arrived appear a lathy, active lot, and should be an acquisition to the contingent, though they have not apparently had much previous acquaintance with foot or manual drill. Several of the Canterbury men are now wearing their new working uniforms.