HOW TO INSPECT A COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 173, 22 July 1903, Page 3

HOW TO INSPECT A COMPANY.

"Bullseye," in the "Cliristehurch \\ eekly Press,' , asks tor more up-to-date inspections. He says: "To my mind, if these inspections are to be of any value, the different branches of the service should be seen in actual work, as nearly

as possible, under service conditions. Thus, taking Christchurch as an example, the infantry battalion might, for inspeeLion purposes, be divided into two parts, and set to work against each other over tne port hins. This would give the officers, non-coms, and men an opportunity of showing what their knowledge of active service work is, and at the close of the operations a lengthy catechism of officers, non-coms, and men might be held in some convenient place. Each officer, field or otherwise, should give his leasons for every movement, while those below commissioned rank might be also <iuestioned as to the reason for the work. Such an examination as this, held yearly, would tend to improve the usefulness of the force, especially if officers and noncoms, knew that the retention of their positions rested upon the intelligence displayed in their work. The engineers should certainly be inspected in their special sections of work, and I do not think a better place could be found than the spot where their last camp was held in Hagley Park. Here there is everything needed for engineering work, a good stream for bridging, gullies and good ground, which could be worked for enLrcnchment purposes. The Artillery is another branch which must necessarily be inspected by themselves. Garrison artillery must show their ability with the cuns "which they control, a.yd no theore-

tieal examination they may be put to ill test their abilities as much as the actual shooting with the guns at moving iaigets. Of course the officers and men must also be examined in the theory of gunnery, but that cannot occupy the principal position in the inspection. In lield artillery, 100, work with the guns must necessarily be test of ability. Speed of bringing guns into action, and the absolute ability to hit a moving target, judging the distance, is the desideratum of an artilleryman. All the running round with the guns and dummy practice in (he world does not prove the service ability of a lield artilleryman like actual work at the target. I hope to hear that the Canterbury inspections at least will be held on these Hne3."