AT WAIPUKURAU

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 70, 24 April 1929, Page 8

AT WAIPUKURAU

; MUCH ACT1VITY 1N CAMP. PREPARATIONS FOR THE BIG CEREMONY. 'All aetivities at AA'aipukurau military ftamp this year, at present being lield on "Waipukurau Raceeourse, are in preparation for tlic Jiistoric occasion of the presentation of battle colours won by ihe livcs and blood of Hawke's Bay inen during tho Great AVar and also jluring ihe South African campaigns. This ceremony will tako place to-mor-low, in tlio prcsence of wliut it is anticipatod will be an extremeiy largo gathering, representing not only all tne forces who were engaged 111 tlic battles in wliicli tbe Hawke's Bay Rcgiment won bonours, but also the families and relativcs of those wlio .-o igallantly gave thcir iives tbafc the freedom of New Zealand and tbe British Empirc might be sec-ure and tbe glorious traditions of tkeir ialliers auo forefathers be upheld. Enthusiasm is tbo keynote of tbc whole cainp, and bas been since the 111itial parade. Sonio idea of the efhciency of the troops can be gathered from the fact that one of the judges in the route marcli competition, lield on Alondav, stated that lie never saw better marching in Egypt where iie was during the Groat "War, and certainly not in New Zealand. This route march proved a rev'elation to manv of those in command, and illustrated that even within tbe short siiace of tbree or four days 600 more or less untrained men can be turued into a soldierly mass. Not only is tho niftTehing of a high standard. but under tbe able command of Ihe olficers and instruetors the musketrv lias reachcd an equally higli piteli. Tho "Waipukurau Eacecourse itself is a delightful spot for the troops, and thougli the air in the early morning is somewhat chilly, tlie last few days hate been ideally warin and tlie training, iar from being a labour, has become a pleasure. Tho N.C.O.'s and nine day trainees, who arrived at the camp on Tuesday, April 16, bad a taste of what the weather down here can be when it feels inchned. On Tuesday night the tents .wero nearly all eneroached upon by water and the ground all over the camp became a mire. However, none were the worse for the experience, and the next two nights were spent in the grandstand while the tents wero allowed to dry. The whole camp went under canvas again 011 Friday and training has been concentrated ever since. The food this year is good and a marked improvemcnt to that of last year's camp. Tbe organisation also is jnucli improved and everythihg has proceeded smoothly. A notable feature this year has been "tlie presence of two Y.M.C.A. marquees, one for writing and reading and .tlie other for games, ctc. These are under the charge of Mr F. C. Maui, general secretary of the Napier Y.M.C.A., and eonsiderably add to the enjoyment of the men while in camp. indoor games, such as ping pong, hagatelle, etc., are catered for. while there is also a piano, which is 111 full deniand in the evening and aronnd which the men gatlier for community song. The close competition for the ronte march will be realised by the faet that J> Companv, the winners, del'eated A Company by less tlian a point. A large space lias been cleared in tlie luiddle of tbe raceconrse, where the ceremony of presenting the colours will take place and the whole proceedings .will be in full view of tlie grandstand and that vicinity, where tlie public .will be congregated. Clear niglits, cold mornings and w-arm days have resulted in good health being maintained in tlie camp, and a spirit of enthusiasm and determination to mahe this presentation the Tiest that the Dominion lias seen, is erictent.