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The first infantry camp to be held in the Dominion under the new territorial scheme - at Wairongoa. - Otago Witness, 28.2.1912. |
The territorial camp at picturesque Wairongoa presented a
scene of much animation yesterday, and was the centre of a
great deal of interest on the part of a number of visitors
who journeyed from town.
All methods of progress were in evidence, some luxuriously
journeying in motor cars and others riding or driving, while
a few of the more hardy went on foot. Colonel Smyth (Officer
Commanding District) paid a visit of inspection to the camp
during the day.
Not much work was done in camp, the lads being given plenty
of time to entertain their friends, while the playing of the
Regimental Band added to the general enjoyment. The outing
was unfortunately spoilt for many by the rain which commenced
to fall about half-past 3, and continued right into the
night.
The diversified rumours which were current in town on
Saturday concerning an alleged "strike" at the Territorial
camp at Wairongoa as a protest against the food supplied
proved on inquiry to be practically groundless.
There certainly was some expressed dissatisfaction concerning
the food, which, some of the men said, was insufficient and
improperly cooked, but though there were some strong
complaints there was nothing in the nature of a strike.
After dinner on Friday the men were paraded and informed that
their complaints would be attended to. Since then apparently
the food has been plentiful and good, and a recrudescence of
the trouble is not likely to occur. To ensure that each man
shall get his proper share the system of apportionment has
been altered.
The trouble was probably due to mismanagement or want of
foresight on the part of those responsible for the
provisioning arrangements. The men now seem to be enjoying
their stay in camp, and will no doubt derive a great deal of
real benefit from their training.
• Energetic efforts to attain its object are being made by
the committee which was formed for the purpose of having the
holiday observed on Anniversary Day (March 23) transferred to
Easter Saturday (April 6), and a meeting called for last
evening was attended by between 20 and 30 persons interested.
Mr H.
Beecher occupied the chair. Reports from a number of
gentlemen who had been appointed to canvass the business
houses of the city and suburbs were received, and showed that
in the majority of cases the proposal was viewed with favour.
In some few instances objection was taken on patriotic
grounds to abolishing the holiday on Anniversary Day, and in
others, notably in the case of jewellers and of various
trades in Port Chalmers, from business considerations. It was
decided to endorse the resolution passed at a previous
meeting - viz: "That the shop assistants of Dunedin and
suburbs respectfully urge the members of the Otago Retail
Employers' Branch of the Employers' Association to adhere to
its former resolution to celebrate Anniversary Day on Easter
Saturday, thereby conferring on those immediately concerned a
most beneficial holiday." It was resolved that Mr R.
Mercer, with Messrs Breen and MacManus, should visit the
individual firms which were antagonistic to the proposal and
state the case for the shop assistants, with a view to
getting a change effected, and that these gentlemen, with Mr
Beecher, should also wait as a deputation on the Retail
Section of the Employers' Association at its meeting on
Thursday morning.
- ODT, 19.2.1912.
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