THE MAKING OF AN ARMY.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4729, 14 June 1911, Page 2

THE MAKING OF AN ARMY.

THE CITIZENS’ COMMITTEES AT THE MILITARY CAMP. ’ By a Visitor. Probably the most interesting feature of the military camp now being held at Newstead is the excellent work being done by the citizens’ committees organised by Colonel Allan Bell fer the purpose of making camp life attractive and for the betterment of the forces under hia command. Members of the committee have been constant visitors at the camp since its commencement, and that their efforts are being appreciated by the troops was evidenced on Monday night, when, at the conclusion of the concert, they gave round after round of the most hearty cheers for the ladies of which the committee is composed. The citizens’ committee consists of three sections the regimental institute committee, the entertainment committee, and the visiting committee. The personnel of the committees is as follows ; Visiting committee; Mesdamos Auld, convener, Brewis, Maunder, Bell, Walsh, Ranstead, Jeffries, Hume, Barclay, and Greenslade. Regimental institute committee; Mesdamos Bell, convener. King, Cliff, and Misses Swayne and Maunder. Entertainment committee: Mesdames Brewis, convener, F. E. Smith, Misses Hunter. O’Neill, Ranstead, Shepherd, and Williams.

The committees to have power to add. The following gentlemen were elected patrons of the citizens’ committee: - Mr 11. J. Greenslade, M.P , Ilia Worship the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J. A, Young, Ilia Worship the Mayor of Cambridge, and the president of the Hamilton branch of the National League. The first thing that strikes the visitor as ho approaches the camp on the Tramway road is four large mar queea pitched in line, end on, and connected so that they form rue large apartment. On entering the gate he finds them surmounted by a largo calico sign bearing the inscription “National League of New Zealand,” “Citizens’ Committee’s Regimental Institute and Dry Canteen,” and this section is run entirely by the institute committee. The marquee nearest the entrance gate has been set apart as a “dry” canteen, and barber’s shop, and here during the hours when not engaged in drill will he found dozens of men purchasing those luxuries which are not provided in the camp bill of fare, such as fruit, confectionery, drapery, and soft drinks; while others are putting on some “front form” by being operated upon by the citizens’ committee's barber. The committee also run a post office and telephone office, the latter they owe to the generosity of Mr Goodwin, who allowed his private wire to be tapped. In the three remaining marquees are long rows of tables covered with hundreds of magazines and illustrated papers collected by the ladies, also the local daily papers, kindly donated by the proprietors. In thn department provision has also boon made for cards, draughts, and other popular games, and an adequate supply of writing materials is also provided. This has proved a most popular section of the regi mental institute committee’s work, and at the time your correspondent visited the camp, about 7 p.m., it was literally packed with troops, some reading, some writing, and all comfortable and happy. All with whom he came in contact spoke in the highest terms of the excellent provision being made for their comfort by the ladies. In the canteen fish suppers are also provided at a moderate cost, and these are in great demand. On Sunday afternoon the whole of the committee were in attendance at the camp, and after the church parade dispensed afternoon tea to the visitors on behalf of the regiment. They again visited the camp in force on Monday and received General and Mrs Godley, and afterwards entertained all the visitors at the Geneuil’s inspection parade to afternoon tea. In the evening the committee were the guests of the officers at dinner in the officers’ mess room, and afterwards remained to the camp fire concert which had been organised by the entertainment section of the citizens’ committee. This committee have had at their disposal the Hamilton Municipal Brass Band, Drum-major Clothier’s Kilties’ Band, and many local artists of repute, who are taking a keen interest in the making of our new citizen army, and 1 am safe in saying that a more enthusiastic reception was never given to a band of performers than was given by the troops on Monday evening. The camp fire was built in a clump of trees adjacent to the camp, a waggon was provided as a stage for the performers and piano. Gathered round were over 100 troops and many visitors, and altogether the scene was a weird and picturesque one. The concert opened with a selection by the Hamilton Band, who marched to the enclosure beaded by Drummajor Clothier in Highland uniform and blowing a “skirl” on the bagpipes. The performers were Mias Bessie Ranstead, piaiv, Messrs L. Swarbrick and Reece, Bugler Stewart, Quartermaster - sergeant McVeagli, Drum-major Clothier, the Hamilton Brass Band Quartette, and the Surprise Quartette, consisting of Mrs Brewis, Mrs Holloway Mias Aileen Hunter, Mr E. B. Davey, and Mr Holloway, who undoubtedly made the hit of the evening with their plantation songs, and who had to return no less than three times, and still left the audience unsatisfied. At the conclusion of the concert Colonel Bell, on'behalf of the officers, N.C.O.’s, and men of his regiment expressed their very deep sense of gratitude to the citizens’ committee for the splendid services which they were rendering to the cause of de fence. The great movement to form citizens’ committees that had been inaugurated for the purpose of raising the status of the citizen army was one that, like the universal training scheme, started in Waikato, would soon extend to all parts of the Dominion, ami eventually to all parts of the Empire. He could not adequately express his feelings of gratitude for the generous assistance given him by the citizens’ committee, the Hamilton band, and the other performers, and he trusted that the new movement, of which they had given a successful practical demonstration, would be looked back upon with pleasure by those who had associated themselves with it at its inception. Rousing cheers were given by the troops for the ladies of the citizens’ committee and the performers. The whole of the visitors were afterwards entertained at supper at the officers’ mess, and the regimental buglers were sounding "lights out’ as they departed for their various homes.