EIGHTEEN-POUNDER FIELD BATTERY HAS ANNUAL CAMP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 2

EIGHTEEN-POUNDER FIELD BATTERY HAS ANNUAL CAMP.

Under a bright sky by day and a starry blanket by night the men of the ninth eighteen-pounder field battery who are encamped at present at Homebush for their annual instruction course are having the time of their lives. The visitor to the camp may see only the military side of it. and indeed during parade hours he would be tempted to believe that steps were being taken to meet the advance of a hostile force. He could not mistake the attitude of the gun crews at drill. A puff of smoke from the muzzles of their formidable looking weapons would add the extra touch of realism -that would create a battle scene. In another quarter the visitor would see the drivers being schooled in their branch of artillery work, and these, too, have an atmosphere about them that is unmistakable. Such is the camp on parade, but should the visitor time his visit to coincide with the termination of the day’s training, he would see a happyfamily of lusty youths enjoying those vigorous muscle-developing sports in which the healthy youth, with his time his own. revels. It is necessary' that the boisterous spirit of youth should be given scope to free itself, and to this end organised sports are held every’ evening. Some of the campers prefer to take their exercise On horseback, and while one group is seen struggling for honours in a wrestling bout another is panting and puffing in a strenuous tug-of-war. Hurdle races going on in another quarter, keep still another batch engaged. Some of the men are skilful riders, and the racing provides thrills for those not taking part. The hurdling has also an amusing side. This is evident when a raw recruit with more courage than skill mounts and takes his first ride over the sticks. Unbounded amusement is provided for the spectators as he goes bumping down the track on a horse that is trotting or turning circles a”t a canter when it should be galloping. The climax is reached when finally the recruit gets his mount to do its bit. 1 Up and over he goes amid the shouts and laughter of those looking on. He has a rocky passage, but he manages to stick on, and a cheer greets his effort. Athletics, boxing, swimming and a hundred and one other pastimes provide recreation for the rest. . f The camp itself, lccated as it is on the bank of a stream running through Mr J. Deans’ property, is ideally situated. All ranks are under canvas, and are well provided for in the way of protection from the elements. There is a refreshing nip in the air, which, when the wind is blowing off the mountains, is inclined to be just a little too nippy to be comfortable, during the night and early morning. However, the four woollen blankets with which each man is provided afford warmth. A waterproof ground sheet and a straw mattress give protection from damp arising from the ground. That the cook is doing excellent work is borne out in the words of the men when they’ say that the food is I the best they have had in any camp. “ Norm,” as he is known, has found his way into the hearts of the campers and it would be an ill day for any who raised a word against him. His task is no light one. He has to prepare three meals a day for about 160 keen appetites, and the absence of complaint of any description speaks highly in his favour. • ' *

All ranks are keyed up to their work and great progress has already been made. The tenth battery-, which preceded the ninth at Homebush, earned a name for themselves, for general efficiency, but it is already being said that the ninth will pass the tenth’s record.

The Y.M.C.A. have provided a large marquee for indoor recreation, and this is enjoying a great run of popularity., the table games, ping pong, chess, and draughts being keenly- followed. Ample reading matter is provided, and daily a large mail leaves the camp. It is all on Y.M.C.A. paper. A piano at one end of the marquee is the centre of a group of singers, and taken all round this branch of the camp under the charge of Mr T. M. R. Jones is by no means the least important. The officers in camp are Major A. B. Williams, D. 5.0., R.N.Z.A.; Lieutenant F. M. Mitchell, M.C., battery commander; Lieutenants E. T. Kensington, H E. Otley, L. R. Webley, and J. M. Mitchell. Dr T. Beveridge Davis is medical officer, and the Rev H. O. Hanby is padre.