DEFENCE NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 28 November 1935, Page 5

DEFENCE NOTES

(By “Sentry.”) , On a recent Sunday the regimental band gave its first municipal concert, , land despite the unfavourable weather , [conditions the jublic attendance was quite good. The programme included the selections '•Operatic Melodies,” . “John of Gaunt,” “Cornet Polka,” while “Swastika” was played as a solo by Sergeant T. Skelsey, who gave ; an excellent rendering of this rather difficult piece. Many favourable comments were made on the afternoon performance, the tone being good, and the attack and release precise. The band has entered for the B I grade contest to be held at New Plymouth next February, and although it will not be able to compete, the entry ; was made to allow any soloists or i quartette from the band who may wish < to do so to attend. It is to be hoped < that the boys will take this opportun- . ity to attend a contest for with plenty : of hard work and study, several should i by February next be able to put up a < first class performance. | Practices have improved of late and ,'- - - (

“Sentry” would like to stress the importance of discipline at rehearsal as there is still an inclination for members to be a bit lax in this direction, it must be realised that to obtain the lull benefit from a practice band room discipline must be enforced, and the conductor given every help in his task. Opportunity must here be taken to thank Mr. . Hickman for his services as adjudicator in the recent competitions and also Mrs. Kendall, who with her usual generosity gave her services as accompanist. The competition was in every way a success, the final award being a popular one and the donor must be congratulated on his inauguration of such a competition Sergeants’ Function. The committee in charge of the function held in the lilrick last week must feel very satisfied with the successful night’s entertainment that eventuated from their efforts. The dinner was attended by over 100 of the regiment, while nearly 250 were present at the dance which followed. The outside units of the regiment are to be congratulated on their excellent attendance, over 20 coming from Marton. 15 from Turakina and a car load from Obakune. Among the guests of the sergeants’ mess for the evening were Lieut.-Col-onels McCrorie and Cade, the Mayor, Mr. W. J. Rogers, Mr. Veitch M.P., Mr. Hope Gibbons, the Reverand Stanley (who will be attending the next camp as padre) and a large number of officers A short toast was honoured, but owing to a lack of time they regretfully ha«l to curtail Captain Whiting’s projected after-dinner talk. With the music in the capable hands of the Gaiety Orchestra the dance which followed went with a swing, until the early hours of the morning when the function was brought to a close and many weary heads wended their homeward way, in many cases realising for the first time that such an organisation as the sergeant.®’ moss did exist, and had proved to be a very active body within the regiment. The commitee would

like to express their thanks to Mr. I “Tom” Morgan, whose assistance during the evening was greatly appreciated. , Week-end Camp. • lhe week-end course held recently ion the race course proved very successiful there being good attendance of all {ranks, Marton were to the fore once 'again and supplied about 20 men for , the week-end, this adding considerably to the strength of A Company. Elementary drill was carried out by both A and B companies and on the Sunday afternoon a mock attack was made on positions overlooking the airjport. At the height of the attack, two I motor-cycles dashed through the at- ! tacking force with two very excited members of the fair sex astride the pillions, who “Sentry” was informed were told that real amunition was being used etc., and one can imagine their feelings as they tore through the smoke screen, and the “hail of bullets” that surrounded them. It was with pleasure that one noticed the efforts of some at least who were determined to keep their bodies as clean as possible by making use of the “open air bathing pool,” the only drawback being that their rising efforts would perhaps have been better appreciated about three hours later. General News. Congratualtions to “Morrie” Wadey who was noticed on parade on Monday evening last with his “crowns” up. Some busy nights have been put in recently by men of both local com- ’ panies in the cleaning of Lewis and I Vickers guns, all of which were given * a liberal coating of sand during the recent camp. The local defence staff S.M.s. ar. at present undergoing a refresher course at Trentham and will be away until about December 12.