MOUNTED RIFLE CAMP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13685, 20 May 1912, Page 2

MOUNTED RIFLE CAMP.

(From Our Own Corrcsnondcnti. W'AVFIiLFY, May 20. The lamp of the West ('must (Judl Mounted Pities, wliich D being held on the convenient and very suitable grounds attached to the Wavcrlcy l'accconr-.c, inow in full swing. In all there are between 3oU and 400 men in camp, including officers, riflemen, cooks, etc., and with ihe addition of a like number of horses and a constant stream of visitors. th< (amp lacks nothing’ in the way of life and activity. The encampment includes four marquees, two operating tents, and Ulb bell tents. Limit .-Colonel Davis, one of the most genial and popular officers in the Dominion, is in command, and with him associated on the regimental staff are Captain Klingender, assistant adjutant; Lieutenant Johnston, regimental quartermaster; Captain Carhery and Captain Owen. N.Z. Medical Corps; Captain Kdgar, N.Z. Veterinary Corps; while the to.lowing ’ arc in command of the various squadrons: A Squadron (comprising the Alexandras from Wanganui and the Waiinarino contingent), 120 men—Captain Stevenson and Lieutenants Chisholm, Fanner, Risk, and Svines.

li Squadron (Wavcrlcy contingent), 60 menp--Captain Jilmslic and Lieutenants Macdonald. Muir, and Nelson. C Squadron (ifaweia, Manaia, and Opunakc contingent), (Ft men—Captain Sutherland and Lieutenants Leaver, Cameron, and Muuro.

D Squadron (Stratford, New Plymouth, and Waitara), Sli men—Captain Henty and Lieutenants .1011, Wilson, James, and Crawshaw.

Other officers include Captain White, brigade-major; Captain-Adjutant Cardale ; ilegimental Sergeant-Major Dunherm; Regimental Quartermaster Davis; four stall sergeant-majors of the permanent stall’, and three newly-appointed sergeantmajors who are receiving instruction in camp.

The moral and spiritual requirements of tho ramp are carefully guarded by Chaplain Lieut .-Colonel Herman and the Kev. Klingonder, both of whom are residing in camp.

Everything possible has been done by Colonel Ha vis and the officers under him to ensure the comfort and convenience of the men under canvas, and especial attention has been devoted to the cooking and sanitary condition of the camp, which is a model of cleanliness and hygiene. Medical skill and attention is provided for man and v. lennary service tor bea.-t; and indeed thc.e seems to be nothing lacking that goes to make a successful camp. CHURCH r.UiADi:.. Yesterday hundreds of visitors were present from near and far on the occasion of church parade and the sacred concert given by the Wanganui City Hand, the playing of which was greatly enjoyed. The visitois came from Katoa, Whennakura, Waitotara, Maxwelltown, and adjoining districts, and there was a great collection of horses, vehicles, motor cars, motor bicycles, «<le. The service commenced shortly after 2 o'clock, and was conducted by Chaplain I.lent.-Colonel Herman, assisted by the Kev D. Melvor. Well-known and appropriate hvmns were sung, to the tuneful accompaniment of the City Hand, under Conductor Huckley, and forceful addresses suitable to the occasion were delivered by the chaplains.

Chaplain Herman based his remarks on the centurian and his servant, emphasising the benefits of military training. When men learned to obey, said he, they were fit to rule, and the exercise of tact (all of which qualities were possessed by the centurian); t was an important qualification for an officer. He thanked (lod the pn sent call of the Territorials was not for active service, but for n ilitary training, and he believed that the system of compulsory service would in time prove a great blessing not only to the. Dominion us a whole but to every individual—physically, morally, and spiritually. He urged the men to lake a keen interest in parade, and make duty, order, ami obedience their chief aim.

The Rev. Mi- Melvor, taking as his text. Joshua 1 and 9, dwelt on the advantages cf discipline, equipment, and organisation, which not only in the Territorial forces of the country, hut in individual life were factors in deciding the destinies of the individual and the nation. If the Mm pi re was to stand, it would have to he based upon the kingdom of (Jod, for when national ideals were high and national life was pure (here was the promise of safety and a guarantee of continuance. An impressive service closed with the Benediction and a verse of the National Anthem.

Headed by the City Band, the troops wore marched to their respective lines in the camp and dismissed for the afternoon, after which the Band played a select programme. A camp concert is to be held to-morrow (Tuesday) evening.