UNDER CANVAS.

Wairarapa Age, 22 April 1927, Page 4

UNDER CANVAS.

MOUNTED RIFLES AT SOLWAY. ANNUAL CAMP OPENED. The annual camp of the 7th New Zealand Mounted Rifles (WellingtonEast Coaet) opened on Tuesday night at the Solway Showgrounds, where twenty officers and 273 men of other ranks are under canvas. There are also over 200 horses in camp. The camp is under the command of Lieut.-Colonel A. S. Wilder, D. 5.0., M.C., of Waipukurau, with Major J. Armstrong (Danncvirke) second in command. Captain V. Sugden, Area Officer, at Masterton, is adjutant, and the officers commanding squadrons jfre: A Squadron, Captain S. Fossett (Hastings); B Squadron, Major H. B. Maunsell; C Squadron, Major R. J. Sinclair, M.M. (Pahiatua); Medical Officer, Captain A. D. S. White (Hastings); Padre, the Rev. W. Stent (Greytown); veterinary officer, Lieut. W. M. Webster; attached, Captain K. L. Stewart, M.B.E. The remaining officers are: Lieut. A. S. Wilson (Tologoa Bay), Second Lieutenants Cooke (Waipukurau), T. F. Wallace (Waipukurau), B. Norman (Woodville), Walsh (Dannevirke), Hoggard (Pahiatua), Pringle (MastertonL Chamberlain (Masterton), Fox (Hawera), attached to the band, and Spurdie (Hastings), Bandmaster; Lieut. Slipper (Palmerston North) is eamp quartermaster. The troops arrived by special train from the north on Tuesday afternoon -and marched into camp in drenching rain. The conveniences at the showgrounds are so complete, however, that the horses were accommodated in loose boxes, a.VI the men were quickly and comfortably bedded down. Heavy rain fell throughout the night, but the ground at Solway is of such a nature that with a slight breeze and a glimpse of sun, it quickly dried and conditions Yesterday were of the very best. The luncheon rooms under the grandstand are used as messrooms for officers, non-eommissionejl officers anil men, while the galley is probably the mest complete to be found in any camp in New Zealand. The preparation of the meals is under the charge of Mr. W. Unibald, of Lower Hutt, who, a« ah exservice man,- is thoroughly acquainted with the work and provides the men with wholesome rations prepared under most ideal conditions. The social comfort of the men is attended to by the Y.M.C.A. Mr. A. E. Bate, General Secretary at Masterton, is in charge of the two produce halls, which have been transformed into a reading, writing and games room, and a ifeeture theatre. A cinematograph is being installed by the Association, and from to-day till the end of the camp, nightly concerts and cinemas will be held. Last evening the concert was supplied by a party from the Knox Church.

Training in earnest commenced yesterday with troop drill, which was carried out in adjacent paddocks kindly lent by Mr. J. Judd.

Included in the unit is the Regimental Band, twenty-seven strong, from Hastings, and their playing would do credit to a much older combination. Among their number are twelve or so string and reed instrumentalists, who form a first-class orchestra which plays at the concerts and in the officers’ mess during dinner. It is understood that the band is to make a public appearance in Masterton before the capip concludes.

Though nothing definite has yet been arranged it is proposed that the entire unit, including the band, shall participate in the Anzac Day service at Masterton, in conjunction with the Returned Soldiers’ Association. •