AT CAMBRIDGE?

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21220, 17 September 1940, Page 4

AT CAMBRIDGE?

WAIKATO REGIMENT CAMP TE KAPA NOT AVAILABLE MOBILISATION NEXT MONTH It appears unlikely that the Te Rapa racecourse will be available as a camp for the Ist Battalion of the Waikato Regiment when the unit mobilises at war strength on October 1. Therefore it is almost certain that the unit will go under canvas at the Cambridge racecourse for at least the first month of its three months’ intensified training. About 800 men will encamp if the number required to bring the unit up to war strength is secured by that time either voluntarily or by conscription. Special permission was granted to the unit to recruit men voluntarily if possible. The course at Narrow Neck being attended by officers and non-com-missioned officers of the unit as a preliminary to the full training will end on September 21 under present plans. If the unit mobilises at Cambridge on October 1 it is probable that an advance party will encamp on about September 25. LieutenantColonel E. M. Mackersey, the Commanding Officer of the unit, will be camp commandant and Captain F. B. McWhannell, M.C., will probably be adjutant. Men for the regiment are drawn from as far south as Raurimu and from Huntly in the north. The territory extends to the coast in the west and to the boundary of the No. 4 (Hamilton) military area in the east. Historic Associations Should the regiment encamp at Cambridge the racecourse will provide an excellent site for a military camp. The town would have historic associations for the Waikatos. In 1913 a brigade camp was held there and extensive field training was carried out. The following year, a few months prior to the outbreak of the last war, the regiment went into camp at Hautapu, where it was inspected by General Sir lan Hamilton and the Governor-General, Lord Liverpool, presented the regiment with its Colours. These were replaced in 1936 with the presentation of new Colours by Lord Galway at Hamilton. Between 120 and 130 tents will probably be required for the battalion next month in addition to half-a-dozen marquees. The existing buildings of the Cambridge Trotting Club will be used as the result of an offer by the club to the military authorities. Present indications are that Te Rapa will still be required at the beginning of October by the third echelon units in isolation as a result of the measles epidemic. EQUIPMENT DONATED TELESCOPES AND GLASSES VALUABLE SUNDRY ITEMS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday “The response to the recent appeal for binoculars, telescopes and prismatic compasses has been most satisfactory, and I wish again to thank all who so generously responded,” said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in a statement today. “As I stated in launching the appeal, it has not been possible for us to obtain these essential instruments overseas and those now received are a welcome addition to the equipment of our forces. “Returns are still coming to hand. So far we have received 483 pairs of binoculars, 125 telescopes and 101 prismatic compasses, in addition to sundry valuable items such as barometers, map cases, message case holders, telescope tripods, dial sights and many others.”