VISIT TO TRENTHAM

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 11, 23 February 1940, Page 7

VISIT TO TRENTHAM

Recruiting Delegates Impressed An impressive march past by 1200 men concluded 'a visit of inspection to the Central District Mobilization Camp, Trentham on the 14th of the delegates to the conference on recruiting which has been meeting in Wellington. The parade included all men in training in the camp except those on headquarters and camp duties and the 22nd (Wellington) Battalion of 40 officers and 750 men, which was on a route march in the Hutt Valley. The conference delegates were accompanied on their visit by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, and the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Semple, and were shown through the camp by the Chief of the General Staff, Major-Gen-eral Duigan, C. 8., D. 5.0., who had with him Colonel R. A. Row, D. 5.0., (Officer Commanding the Central Military District), Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. McHugh'(Camp Commandant), Major J. Brooke (Officer Commanding the Army School of Instruction, Trentham), and Major J. R. V. Sherston (Army Headquarters).

Visits were paid to the camp post office and the ’ various recreational huts in use or under construction, including the Y.M.C.A. hut, the Salvation Army hut, and the Church Army hut. The latter, for which subscriptions were called with considerable success some days ago, is nearing completion. The party was also shown the shopping arcade which is being built. It is a large building with a central roofed in walk from end to end and shops disposed along each side. The huts for sleeping accommodation under construction to replace the tents at present used were also inspected.

After the visitors had been entertained at morning tea in the sergeants’ mess, the dental clinic and camp hospital were visited, and the tour concluded with the march past already mentioned.

The units taking part in the parade were: 27 men of the No. 2 (special duty) Platoon, 117 officer cadets of all arms, four officers and 118 men of the Divisional Signals unit, all of the foregoing being from the Army School of Instruction. From brigaded units there were 30 officers and 050 other ranks, and from the Central Military District School of Instruction 47 officers and 242 other ranks who are in training for the Third Echelon. The total in the march past was, therefore, 198 officers and 1037 other ranks.

The bearing of the men called forth appreciative comment from the visitors, and it was remarked that they showed excellent progress for the short period that they had been under training.

After the visit conference delegates commented favourably on the conditions of training, and said that they were a great advance on those obtaining in 1914-1918.