VOLUNTEER & DEFENCE NOTES

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 171, 19 July 1905, Page 6

VOLUNTEER & DEFENCE NOTES

MOUNTED CAMP AT PTJKEKOHE.

(B_ RIFLEMAN.)

W«e-'s ib» that this week I sheaid reco _ the aswafall of our Bisley team! To think j that wo spent so much money to I send them all -the way Home to lose the Kolapors Cup, and to come only! hith in the MeKlnnon cup. -.veil, I sup- ' pase our geese can't always be swans, and the beys put up a good flght—they cer- I Itainiy were well placed In the Bisley Cup, I coming third within a few points of the winner. I think I know why Canada won— i .the Dominion Government has been.spend- I lag money galoie on the rifle clubs, aud I this hag created an enthusiasm amongst the Canadieus, -which, with their huge I population, has ensured a higher average jof excellence. Did it ever occur to yoa to consider excellence as a matter of averages? The Dominion has a population of some millions; Great Britain, I have heard, has a population of quite a lot of millions; Australia has a round million particoloured souls; and the beloved Maoriland ef ears boasts no more than half a ' mil- I | liou. "Yet, out of that half million parti--1 tically townsmen—not hunters, like the Canadians, nor half professionals, like tbe , . British, we have found eight men who' I eoaid take the Kolapore Cup from teams lepreseating the best military races of the j world. So let us not growl, but lay the I above flattering unction to our scul—and anyway, they fought a good Oght. The No. 3 Natives are to get overcoats If the financial year proves good. Gunner Thomas Breen, of the No. 1 G.A., has been granted the long service medal. Lieut. Aylett. of the Coastguards, has been appointed to take chaige of the shooting department of the company. Major Johnston insDerts the "A" Battery to-night, and on Tuesday next leeto the Eatery on artillery work. Major Eccles has been gazetted as major of the No. S Regiment, A.M.R. Lieut. Kretschmar's appointment in the No. 3 Natives is also gazetted. The billiard room of tbe Officers' Club has been comp'.eted, and Is to be furnished forthwith. The arrangements for the annual ball are well advanced. The No. 3 Natives held a successful march-out on Wednesday night last, with iO men on parade. The company has secured a number of promising recruits. The No. 9 G.A. parade for a full dress inspection by O.C. Gardiner to-night. Airer Inspection the members nroceed to elect a lieutenant. Gunnery bonuses will be paid after the parade. The No. 2 Natives kindly forward mc a complimentary ticket for their annual social, which will be held In the Hibernian Hall on Friday, September 1. The committee hope to excel all their previous socials if it is possible to do so. The Kawakawa MR. held their first parade under Major Eccles on the 24th of last month. Mr A. G. Graham has been appointed captain, and Sergeants J. Tabuteau and W. Cully were elected lieutenants. This is the old infantry corps which Kawakawa used to have. Capt. L. Skinner, of the Victorias, will be entitled to his V.D. next month, and will probably thereafter go on to the retired list- He ha 3 been 20 years an officer, and his company will be sorry to lose him. His father, Major Skinner, has also irot the V.D. Gunner M. Ferguson won the Ferguson trophy at the No. 8 Garrison Artillery's match out at Penrose on Saturday. He secured 129 points, Gunner Bauersby, with 119 points, being next. The ranges were 300 and 600 yards, ten shots at each in two matches. The No. 2 Native Rifles commence a competition on Saturday nest for a valuable cup. The ranges are 200, 300, aud 500 yards, 10 shots at each range. The 2*l yards will be taken on Saturday and tbe 300 and 500 yards on _c following Saturday. Addressiug the school cadets In Wellington, Lord Plunket said the cadet movement in New Zealand had attracted much interest in England and elsewhere, and he thought that before long the Mother Country would take a leaf from New Zealand's book in this respect, as it had done in many other things, and establish cadet corps throughout the United Kingdom. Cape J. R. Reed, Invested with the rank of acting-major, is In charge of the No. 1 Battalion of Infantry, In place of Lieut. Col. White, who recently resigned, i understand that Capt. Reed has been nominated for the position, as I stated a fortnight ago, and confirmation may be ex ptcted any day. A special prize ia to be given at the Walkato A. and P. Association Show for the best turned out N.C.O. or trooper in the 2nd Regiment, A.M.R. The horse to be the property of competitor, and to have been ridden at the annual camp or three squadron parades. Points will be awarded for horses, saddlery, accoutrements, cleanliness, dress, and soldierly appearance. Tho Hauraki Rifles have unanimously elected the Rev. A. T. Thompson, of St. James's Presbyterian Church, as captainchaplain. Judging by the energy that the reverend gentleman has displayed in this connection with other local Institutions, the H2_ski Rifles may congratulate themselves upon possessing a captain-chaplain who wUI be a worker. Rumours have been afloat that MajorGeneral Bablngton was about to retire. The rumour is probably explained by the fact that General Babington's name appears on the army roster for promotion to the rank of Major-General In the Imperial Forces, and the exigencies of the service may demand his immediate recall after receiving official notice of his promotion. The Tauranga Mounted Rifles were £45 out of pocket after the late Rotorua camp, by reason that some men did not turn np to capitate and the camp expenses were heavier than expected. Lieut. Tunks has been elected secretary of the squadron. Lieut. Roberts (secretary since the formation) having left the corps. The squadron passed a very hearty vote of thanks to Lieut. Roberts. The Farmers' Union would like to see our contribution to the Navy increased to something like £100,000, in view of the importance of the same Navy to us. We only pay £40.000 now—practically lOd a head where the long-suffering Briton pays 17/. How the free and independent elector of New Zealand would shriek if he had to pay taxes like that! The Aneklanders did not do so badly in the Kolapore Cup, though I was sui prised to see Shaw, of Ohinemurl. down at the bottom of the list Here are the lndivia£* »£ ores: HIS*- Inrine OVaimea Rifles;. 86, Rifleman Milroy (Nelson), 96; Private Pearson CTimaru), 95; Private Browne SP 0 ?* Privafe Jack (L_wood)° S?7w te %-> kUa (Weber), 93; Rifleman WUkie (Upper _utt), 91; S_gt Shaw (Ohlnemun), 90. The WaUcato A. and P. Association has presented a challenge cup for competition amongst volunteers at their annual show In November. The conditions have been drawn up, and will be published in their schedule to be issued shortly. The"majority of tne points awarded will be to those portions of the events best calculated I to Improve the efficiency of volunteerunder active service conditions. Tomuteer » | The Thames volunteers omi mj.i. „„ I where the Rev. J. Patterson, of Welling- , ton preached a good a e rm 0 n The Hau- ' ni S adet B -"allon Bands accompanied tho volunteers. Captain Wylle bSn- l> T^ 6 $ f r, th I- Ba «allo_ and Major Lucas, V.D., of the No. 2 (cadet) Battalion. The No. 2 Native Rifles had a good mus- ; ** r ?! over *° men at tQ e full dress parade on Thursday last. After inspection at the Invitation of Lieut Coutts. the company witnessed the performance of "The Girl of My Heart." The annual meetiig of the company will be held In the lectuieroom, Drill-Hall, on Thursday evening. After business is finished, the company will march to the Strand to spend the remain-' der of the eveslug in a sociable manner.

_Th« .shield to bo presented to the battlea_p New Zealand should be completed by this time. The hell Is finished, and Lord B*_— ly -escribes It a very fine one, hung from a .silver-plated Maori head. Lord Ranfurly proposed to ask the Admiralty to' aUow the presentation to be made about H*i*_* - w r*k ia Angnst, which will be C^ W _f_lQ " The b *" * nd ■ hJ !- ld "" wiU

The A Squadron of the Waikatos held a most enjoyable ball at Hamilton last week —quite the biggest affair of-the season. During the evening Miss E. Loveday waa presented with a magazine pea-rifle for winning, the position of lady champion rifle sect of Waikato. Tbe prizes were also presented for the pea-rifle competition held on April 17th last to Miss Litchfield, first (21 points), Miss E. Loveday and Miss Hooper second (20 points—tie), and Miss Evans third (18 points). The College Rifles lioid their annual ball to-night and a very great number of people have been invited to attend. From what I hear of the efforts put forth by the membeis, the dance wiJ be as enjoyable as any the corps has given—more 1 could not say, because the others have been so splendid. The N.C.O. Club also holds a smoke concert and euchre tonight in the Club Room, and a prize is to be presented to the wtner. A musical programme has been arranged. How nice to be a soldier! There was recently an outbreak o£ homely mumps amongst the native bakers employed or our troops at Quetta. and as a lesuit their vrork bad to be done by the Messrs Tommy Atkins. For 15 days Tommy baked and burned bread, and as a reward for their work the men were.each given one penny per day: they were- elso granted the sul _. of one shil.ing and fourpence per man for khaki unifoims spoilt on the job. The men were speechles at such generosity. Major Johu3ton, R.A.. who has charge of the artillery force of the eoloay. f s in Auckland, and will spend the week in active eonimmiieation with thelo*al 1 - Jery corps. He leaves for Wellington tbo'ai next Tuesday, I believe. He fo';lcw 3 up j the work begun so ably by Master Gunner j Itu-hardson. Major Johnston will deliver a leetuie to the Garrison Artillery D'viMou on Monday next at the Drl'l Hall, and "on Wednesday he lectures to the Garrison Officers Club. It Is probable that before he leaves Auckland he will Inspect oue or more of the .companies at drill in the forts

mJES*-? 0, 3 ° D l Den " i rl RWes have completed the second m3teh for the Waihi Godmining Co.'s rrold medals. Lieut Clarke, of the Waihi Rifles, won the first medal, and Private Weir, of the Waihi Rifles, the second medal. The followin*•ire the leading scores:—Lieut Claik 'Waib! Rifles). 173; Private -W»lr (Waihi ESS?* it 7 i°V> otal Comes (No 3 Ohfiurnur). 1P.6; Private Clark (No. 3 Ohincmnr). 3fi2; Private Pars'ow (No. 3 Ohinemt! rii* 159 Private Draffi n 0?°. 3 Oaine-

t .A^ o % n tra,,l n ed for war Ptoses and at»Wi._ \ a regiment, "deserted" and made its way Into France where it was arrested. These "do-rs 'of war." which are trained to carry outpost despatches, and even find the wounded to whom they bring "first aid.- are of the eolJie type, with a considerable admixture of sagacious Scotch blood, and are attached to the rifle battalions posted on Germnnv's eastern and western frontiers, which are also the only battalions In the German army provided with machine guns. Many of these war-doe-s are trained at Carnoustie, in Forfarshire, and the Emperor himself takes the keenest interest in the breed.

Very satisfactory results have followed the Introduction of the new system of training which makes the British bluejacket available for work in the stokehold as well as upon dock. At first Jack did not relish the Idea of being turned into c fireman, for he had rather looked down rpon the stoker. Tb.it feeling Is now vrearing away, and official reports made recently speak of the blue-jacket stoker as having a good grasp of his work. One Oft?, perhans, the present method of specialising will disappear from the navy altogether, and with it the distinction between seaman and stoker, oil fuel abolishes the stoker altogether. ' c

According to an Australian exchange, th" Austrian torpedo-cruiser Panther arrived nt Port Philip on June 20. The Panther Is said to be a smart-looking vessel «f 1530 tons displacement. She has two mastb and two funnels, and her genera! appearance is said to.be decidedly, "rakish." Ihp vessel is under the command of ComrnaiiJde r Ludwig Ritter yon HockneU. The Panther will probably remain in Melbourne for twenty days, arid will afterwards proceed to Hobart. Sydney, New Zealand and New Caledonia, finally going home by way of Thursday Island, Manila and Hong Kong. The vessel's complement all told is 204.

Oue of the new short Lee-Enfield rifles, 303 pattern, has be.v sent to the Dunedin Defence Office for inspection. This arm is -,cw being issued to the Volunteer and Permanent Forces In the Commonwealth, and differs materially from Ihe old patttrn of the same name. The barrel is five inches shorter than the older weapon aud sllgUtly thinner. The grooving Is the same, bu! the bore increases a shade in diameter, and the rifling in depth, towards the muzzle. Tbe foresight Is capable of lateral adjustment, and the back sight can be adjusted to intermediate elevations between the 00 yards graduations, and Is fitted with a wind gauge. The magazine contains 10 cartridges, and is loaded from a clip. The hand guard extends the full length of the barrel, and the bayon-et Is fixed to the nose cap underneath, and does not touch the barrel. The weight of the rifle, with bayonet, is 91b 3oz; without bayonet. Sib 2*«z Length of rifle, 3ft 8.5/n; with /wyonet. 4ft S.7in. The new rifle is 5.5 m shorter than the old one. and is lib lioz lighter.

During the last evening of the camp the ladles of Pukekohe invited the A.M.R. Squadrons to an impromptu social. A most enjoyable time was spent, and will be long remembered by the participators. Those o;i duty in camp were not forgotten, as ladies bravely negotiated the awful mud for which the district Is noted, and conveyed refreshments to the Quarter Guaid, and to the horse picket, which latter was nearly half a mile from the scene of festivities. Dancing lasted until 2am when the function ended with the slngi.T* of the National Anthem. The following Indies were Hie committee of the social"Mesdames Webster, Burrell. Roberts! Whyte. Hawke, H. Andrew. White, and Misses Webster, Lodge, and Goodwin.

The left wing o t> the Ist Regiment. A.M.R., consisting of "D" Squadron, under Captain Shaw and Lleuts. McKenzie and wade: "B" Squadron, under Lleuts. Glasson and Martin: "E" Squadron, under Lieuts. Bent, Makgill, and Kerrold spent a very instructive week in camp last week at Pukekohc. The regimental Starr were all present, aud the detail management reflected great credit on the officers of each department Captain-Adjctant Harrowell was present the whole of the week, and in charge of the camp except when LieutCol. Holgate, who inspected the squadron on Wednesday, and Acting-Major Wynyard, who was under canvas on Monday" and Tuesday, were present. The commissariat arrangements were-in charge Of Lieut, and Q.M. Bodle. and the fact that there were no complaints shows bow well his duties were attended to. The men messed in their own tents, the officers and non-coms, each having separate messes. Staff Sergt.Major Rogers was in camp as instructor. On Monday morning and afternoon squadron and regimental drill took place. On Tuesday morning field work was engaged in over a large tract of very suitable country, which "had been kindly placed at the disposal of the regiment by the Helvetia Ostrich Farm. Half the force, under Captain Harrowell, took up a position of defence, and was located and attacked by the other half, under Major Wynyard. and some instructive operations resulted. After lunch the whole force was- practised in advance, rear and flank guard work. On Wednesday the morning broke very wet, and it was impossible to do any work. In the afternoon the force was taken out along the roads and exercised by Lieut.-Col. Holgate. On Thursday the camo was inspected by Colonel Davles and practised In outpost work. During the evening -the squadrons were very kindly entertained by tbe ladles of Pukekohe at a social, which was a great success, and was thoroughly appreciated by the officers and men. A full report of the social was printed by us on Monday. -On Friday the camp was broken up, tents struck and packed up, and the men returned to their homes. The weather, which was somewhat cold, only prevented the men from getting out one morning, however, when it rained very heavily. On Tuesday there was a heavy frost, the whole place being perfectly white and the water frozen In the buckets outside the tents. Despite these discomforts the men worked cheerfully and well, and It speaks highly for their keenness and

patriotism that they are prepared to go Into camp at this time of year for the purpose of making themselves capable to pre* tect their country should their services be required. No less is required of every ablebodied young man. but the praise for those who, without compulsion, as in other countries, do their duty is none the less deserved and should be heartily - given.