DEFENCE NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11025, 13 March 1914, Page 6

DEFENCE NOTES.

GENERAL GODLEY AT- RIPA ISLAND. This morning General Godley. Commandant of the New Zealand Defence Forces, arrived, from Wellington and, accompanied by Colonel Smyth, officer commanding the Canterbury district, Major Pimvell and Lieutenant T. Rhodes, A.D.C.. proceeded to Ripa Island for thp purpose of inspecting the garrison artillery companies now in camp .at the fort.

It is understood that the AVest Coast detachment,' which for the first time has been brought over in order to carry out their drill and training, will leave the fort on the return journey this evening.

All branches of the force are at. present very busy making preparations for the approaching camps. In the preliminary instructions issued from the district, headquarters, the officer commanding states that '"' efforts are to be made to get every available officer,, non-com-missioned officer and-man to attend the annual camp in v.iew of the inspection by. the .Inspector-General of. Oversea Forces." Leave to attend a casual camp will only be- given in - cases of urgency. Drastic steps- are to be taken to ensure large camps so that Sir lan Hamilton may have full opportunity of seeing the defence force,of the dominionunder canvas. Tlie order issued on March 1" states that the names of all absentees without leave, will be handed to the police within a week of the conclusion of the camps. Captain.-TV. H. Mcddings, assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general for the district, proceeded to Kbwhai today on business connected with the encampment:

. ;A,t-.the approaching camr> the newlv.established Army Service Corps will -have complete control of all food supplies. Some time ago an officer'of the corps was added to the local head-quarters-staff and a. non-commissioned officer has also been posted.to this district.

The Ist Canterbury Regiment will parade, at King Edward Barracks at J/SO.o clock this afternoon-tor . a daylight parade. The regiment will march to the Biirnside Road and be exercised on land placed at its disposal by Mr Boag Advance guard and attack work will be carried, out, and the ■ barracks should be reached by 8.30 n.m