MILITARY SKILL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19868, 16 June 1927, Page 6

MILITARY SKILL

THE CAMPBELL STATUETTE PRESENTATION TO WINNING COMPANY Tramp! Tramp!! Tramp!!! lhe long lines of khaki-clad men straggled slowly along a road in Flanders. On cither side were the marks of destruction, the •desolation made worse by a heavy, oppressive mist overhanging the countryside. Further away, over idjevastod ridges, the clouds of war were visible, the continual rumbling of a thousand guns betokening the menace of the enemy. The long lines of khaki pressed on. They were New Zealanders, the representatives of right, in quest of peace. To-day, no more do the lines of khaki straggle over a stricken country —in their place are the members of a younger generation, practising in times of peace, mln-dful of the fact that acbequate defence for their country may some day be j)ee,ded. This was the impression given last evening at the Drill Hall. Valued. Trophies It was on the occasion of the presentation of two cherished trophies to the champion senior cadet company of New Zealand, and numerous Wanganui citizens assembled to see the trophies presented to Company No. 10, Dominion winners. Colonel-Commandant G. G. Powels, C.M.G., D. 8.0., N.Z.S.C., commanding the Central Military Command, was the first speaker, and he said it gave him jfleasure to come to the function for the second year. Very often it was comparatively easy to win a trophy, but it was more difficult to keep it. No. 10 Company had done this. Having the support of the city must bo a great help to the company, and their appreciation was due to the citizens’ the Employers’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, G.M.C., donor of the Campbell Statuette, was next to speak, and handled over to the company the statuette and the Canadian Cup. Colonel Campbell gave an illuminating address on. the necessity of military defence to a country, and spoke graphically on tho impressive side of the Great War, and the great sacrifices made by the Empire’s soldi-

During tho function, the company gave a brief, but finished display of drill. Keenly Contested. These trophies are keenly contested by cadet companies throughout New Zealand, and undoubtedly have done much towards creating greater interest in drill work in general. Their purpose has been excellently fulfilled-. The Canadian Cup, which goes to the best company in the Central Command, was originally won by a body of New Zealand cadets in pre-war days, in Canada, when cadets from all parts of the Empire competed. The Campbell Statuette was introduced to the cadets for competition some four years ago, and- since its inception, has been keenly sought after. Last night’s function, while serving to illustrate the considerable amount of public interest in the fortunes of Comi pany No. 10, served also to demonstrate the superiority of Wanganui! boys in the way of military training.