THE INFANTRY CAMP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3466, 5 March 1912, Page 7

THE INFANTRY CAMP.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I noticed in your Saturday’s issue an article relating to the Infantry Training Camp, and I Avas particularly struck Avitli the imposing list of things which it is stated each man will be required to take to camp. While not Avishing to deny that certain of the articles set out in the list will add materially to the comfort of the young men, I hold that a number of them might be struck out. As a volunteer of some years’ experience, I oould not repress a smile Avhen I came upon the items “slippers” and “pyjamas.” During the past five years I have attended a number of camps, and I do not believe that at any of these did I see anyone other than officers, Avho have separate and single tents, wearing pyjamas. The theory has often been propounded that hardship makes hard men, and I hold that it is Avhen they are up against the grinding Avheel of discomfort that our young felloAvs Avail show to. greatest advantage. In active service they would not be allowed, nor would they be able, to pamper themselves with the luxury oi several of the articles referred to and there seems to be no palpable reason Avhy such an imposition should be foisted on to young felloAvs just entering on a career of training. Moreover, many of the youths Avill find it difficult to provide themselves with some of the- articles named. Such things as slippers and pyjamas are not articles usually associated Avitli campaigning.— I am. etc., NOT A TIN SOLJER. [ln connection Avith the foregoing it should be stated that the document quoted in the paragraph referred to, stated that the articles “should” be taken, and it is left entirely with the men as to Avhether they take all or any of the articles.— Ed. G.T.]

(To the- Editor.) Sir, —Many complained that the last Council Avas given mo,re to words than work and suggested that the new Borough Council as a whole would be certain to work more and talk less. It appears, however, as if the “practical men on the Council have not been able to bring about a marked change in tue administration of the Borough as far as expediting the work to be carried outunder the loan proposals is concerned. Indeed, they seem to have really done considerably less in many respects. It has been generally conceded that the sewerage and. road's were the most urgent matters to be attended to, and yet Av-hile we have had a phenomenally dry summer very little advantage seems to have been taken of it, the sewerage progressing very slowly ,and jpracitically little or nothing being done to . the roads. Surely it is time that the Councillors and Ratepayers generally bestirred themselves Avith regard to the latter, as the Avinter is upon ■ us • and with the example of our roads last Arbiter it is safe to anticipate that this

winter they will be impassable if they are not taken in hand at once? We read in your columns of the large quantities of metal brought in to town from time to time, but where does it go to and what is the result f A good job certainly is being made af Peel Street down to the Railway Station, but it would he interesting if the Council would intimate how long it has been in hand, and by comparison tell us how long it will take to complete, .say, the Gladstone and Ormond Roads. I surmise that a fair estimate would be about three years: The curbing of the footpaths and the electric light no doubt looks very pretty, but from a point of view of utility it seems to me that it would have been better to concentrate the work on the roads first. It will no doubt be argued that the sewerage and the tramlines must be completed before the work of laying down the roads permanently is undertaken, but surely where tile sewerage is completed the construction of the roads could immediately follow ? All the neoessarv material for the tramlines must have arrived by this/ and if hot, why? Allow me to suggest, Sir, that for not only the comfort but the necessities of the town during the coming winter, at least the two main arterial roads should be started at once, and ; that the Ratepayers should not rest in agitating until they are. Some-time ago I read with interest that a Burgesses Association had been formed to keep an intelligent watch upon the requirements of the town, and that it elected as its first President that capable- and energetic gentleman Mr Tom. Adair. I breathed a sigh of relief for it seemed to me that our troubles were ended and the apathy which seems to characterise the people of Gisborne was showing signs of being terminated, but alas, since then I have not heard the Association mentioned. The name of Mr T. Adair is sufficient guarantee that it is not dead. Therefore, may. I suggest to him, that from a point of view of policy it might be better to enlist tlie sympathy and support of th© townspeople in his good work, by allowing some light to be let into the efforts of the Association. He might see his way to at least publish, in anticipation of his annual report (which should soon be due) an interim report, as a guidance to those ratepayers. who have not been fortunate enough to become members.—l am, etc. • 'RATEPAYER. ’'