THE PUTIKI CAMP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14700, 3 September 1915, Page 7

THE PUTIKI CAMP.

“TRENTS” COME AND CO. C COY. DEPARTS AND B COY. j ARRIVES. . The C- Coy., 300 strong, of the Trentham Regiment, which has been in camp at Putiki for the last week, completed its firing early this morning. During the week the - men have put in a strenuous time, 23 practices having been fired by each man. The shooting on the whole has been very fair, except on Wednesday, when rain and. a tricky wind puzzled the men at 500 and 600 yards. Some exceptionally good shooting was done during the “mad minute” practice, when 15 shots had to be fired in a minute and a quarter. The highest scores in-this practice were 43 and 42 out of a possible 45, while there were several 41’s and 40’s. The officers were very favourably impressed with the arrangements here, the camp site being an excellent one, and very handy to the butts. As for the butts, and the material in use there, they are described as first-class, quite, the best which could be found anywhere, the material being right up-to-date and quite new. In the- circumstances the officers declare that Wanganui provides exceptional facilities for the very necessary musKetry training which the men receive. Officers and men unite in saying that they have not only been able to do excellent training work here, but they have been (treated splendidly by the public, and have thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Wanganui. In this connection. Limit. Pow asked us to express his thanks the Mayor and citizens for their many acts of kindness, the Y.M.C.A., the National Reserve, (for pitching the camp and getting the first meal ready), the bandmasters of both the Garrison and Queen Alexandra Banda, the secretary and executive of the Cosmopolitan Club, and also the Wanganui Club for making the men members of those institutions during their stay here, the Library Committee, the Borough Council for free use of baths, and last but not least- the Mayor and Mayoress, especially the latter and other lady friends for good work done at the rally. He also desired to express his keen appreciation of the efforts of the Patriotic Committee, the members of which have left no stone unturned to make the stay of the men here a pleasant one. , . DEPARTURE FOR RANCIOTU. ARRIVAL OF 11 COY. There was a good muster of the public, at mid-day to-day to see the last of C Coy,, 2nd Battalion, Trentham Rifle Regiment, which having completed its musketry course at Piitiki, left by train for Rangiotu. The National Reserve also paraded, as well as the Garrison Band, which met. the men en-routc, and played them to the railway station. Needless to say, the fine bearing of the men and their splendid marching were much admired, aud many were the manifestations of good-will expressed towards them as they marched into the station, where' they lined up on the platform, ready for entraining. About 12-30, B Coy. of the same Battalion, 310 strong, under Captain Bcere, arrived and quickly detrained. C Coy. promptly filled the train, which, a few minutes later, proceeded , back to Kangiotu. , Joined by the National Reserve, and headed by the Garrisofi Baiid, B Coy.— 4 platoons, and a signal section—then marched along Taupo Quay, and up the Avenue to the Drill Hall, being patched by . large numbers of the public. Like their comrades of the C Coy., they were a fine, even body of men, of excellent physique, and very smart in their bearing, and, with rifles at the trail after the manner of rifle regiments, they stepped smartly along, matching with perr feet steadiness. On arrival at the Drill Hall, the men were briefly addressed by his Worship the Mayor, who welcomed them to Wanganui, and hoped they would enjoy their stay here, remarking* that if, as he-had no doubt, they proved themselves as good fellows as C Coy., they would probably make many new friends here. Ho then announced the arrangements for their entertainment during their stay, at the “rallv room” in the Avenue, Y.M.C.A., and Public Library. The men then filed into the Drill Hall where their hearty appetites made short work of the lunch provided for them by the Ladies’ Committee, and later they were played down the Avenue by the Garrison Band, and duly arrived at the camp for the purpose of their musketry training.

On Sunday afternoon next, the Garrison Band will play a programme of music at the Putrid camp. The band, with their usual willingness, have turned out at all times for the "Trents and their services have been highly appreciated by the men, as will doubtless be the case during the coming week. The N.C.O p£rty of ten who are leaving Wanganui for Trentham on Tuesday morning next, at 7 o’clock, will be played to the station by the Garrison Band, and it is hoped there will'.also be a good muster of the public as well, in order that the men may have a fitting send-off. The Garrison Band played a programme of music in the rally room last evening, when a large number of the men were present. Before leaving for the camn. the men gave hearty cheers for the Mayoress and other ladies in recognition of all they had done. Mr A. Wade, conductor of the Wanganui Garrison Band, received the following latter, which speaks for itself, today September 2, 1915. Earl of Liverpool’s Own. Mr Wade, J Garrison Band, Wanganui, Sir,—AVo arc leaving hero for Rangiotu to-morrow. Before doing so I would like to thank your splendid Band for their kindness in playing tho Company, to and from Church parade last Sunday. The Company felt nroud that day to march to music supplied by the famous Wanganui Garrison. • Thanking you again, Sir,—l remain, yours respectfully,. JAMES POW, Lieut.