UNDER CANVAS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21203, 28 August 1940, Page 4

UNDER CANVAS

CAMP FOR BATTERY CLAUDELANDS SHOWGROUNDS TERRITORIAL MOBILISATION Changes in plans for the intensified training of the territorial forces in New Zealand have resulted in orders for the mobilisation next Monday of the 7th Medium Battery, New Zealand Artillery, for fulltime training at the Claudelands showgrounds for one month. The officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the ranks of the unit will go under canvas at Claudelands instead of attending day parades at [ the showgrounds, as previously ini tended. The 7th Medium Battery will be fully mobilised when the men encamp on Monday. Plans have been made for erecting tents at the showgrounds and preparations are in train for providing messing facilities, washing stands, and other buildings for the camp. Great use will be made of the existing buildings at the grounds, however, as a result of offers madG by the Waikato Trotting Club and the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

The battery consists of the B troop and headquarters establishment at Hamilton and the A troop at Auckland. All members of the ufiit will encamp at Claudelands on Monday under Captain F. M. Yendell, of Hamilton, officer commanding the unit. Offiers and non-commissioned officers are now completing two months’ preliminary training at Hopu Hopu camp. Waikato Infantry At the end of the month at Claudelands the members of the battery will undergo two months’ advanced training at Waiouru mountain camp. It is likely that men will have to be secured by ballot under conscription to bring the battery up to war strength, as there have not been sufficient volunteers. No details are yet available of the number required, but the ballot will probably take place next month. On October 1 all ranks of the Ist Battalion, 16th Waikato Regiment, will be mobilised and about 700 men from the unit will commence two month’s intensified training at Waiouru. Mobilisation orders are being posted to members of the unit today. Officers and non-commissioned officers of this unit are progressing satisfactorily on a two months’ preliminary course at Narrow Neck.