VOLUNTEER NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 43, 19 February 1909, Page 3

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

j":,.'',.',» , . ■:-•.-- --- NO. 4 2 CpSp?ANY.A.G.Ay. . An excellent exhibition of firing' was given at 5 a.m. this morning by the No. 2; Company A.G.A.V. (late Ponsonby Navals), who are.now In camp: at North Head forts. Colonel G. W.-8. Patterson, Captain Pllklng-. ton (umpires),', and Captain . Richardson (chief gun. Inst), were present. '-■-"■■ The firing. consisted of forty rounds with { the new electric. 12 pound quick firing guns. As this Is the'first time that these'guns have been fired to competitive -practice, naturally great Interest was centred in the results. Lieut. Vaughan, as G.G.C., controlled the firing, and he is to be complimented oh the very fine display. The forty: rounds were fired in the short space of lm 51s, and the result showed that forty hits were recorded—a first-class performance.- '.'',

During the competitions this company has been handicapped by the small roll (TO), and also by the loss of Captain Forbes and Lieutenant Ewan. both of whom have recently resigned, the latter, after .22 years' service. Lieut. Ewan was, however," In camp assisting. The command. of the company devolved upon Lieut. Taughah, who, assisted by Lieut.. Thomas (recently appointed), immediately undertook to prepare the company and get them Into camp form. Recruiting has not been brisk, the company only taking into camp trained men. Next year Its already, heavy battery is to he Increased by the addition of twosflne new 6in mart VII. quick-firing guns,, and'the company will be. increased by another 100 men. ..This company is undoubtedly' for-; tunate In. possessing; men whose sole aim Is' to raise the status of the volunteer,, and ; promote efficiency and discipline. The behaviour of tue' men' while under canvas has been exemplary throughout. 'The company, while hot. Intending to increase' their numbers.at the cost' of; efficiency, are, however, anxious'to procure desirable men, who are likely by thorough training to become em cient, and. applications will be taken at once, on Monday evenings. A lighting sec.tlon is already under way In the company. to manage the search lights. -The men hold a "smoke" In camp to-night, to wind up the most successful and efficient camp ever held. The signal section la "a highly trained one, getting 981 points at exams. On Saturday afternoon"the camp -wIU- be struck', and about 3 o'clock the company:: return :.lo town.- The routine of the whole camp has proved what a -. training: young -; men can-get- 1 in the -volunteer" *orce, and the fact that trained men are always being passed out of the corps tells what a large trained reserve force there must 1* to the colony, this Having, been carried on" in" tb's case for the last 22 years... . , - FIELD DAY AT-PUKEKOHE.. c} \ At Pukekohe on Wednesday the Pukekohe and Waluku Mounted Rifles paraded for. in-spection-by Colonel DavlesrC.B., Insoectorgeneral "of New- Zealand ■ Defence-. Forces. Both squadrons showed a lecided Improvement, both In the direction of numbers and efll4ency. Lleuf:nant-Colonel Wolfe (officer cleflcy. Lleutenhnt-Colbnel Wolfe (officer commanding- the. district) , accompanied Colonel Da vies, also Lieutenant-Colonel Holgate (officer commanding first regiment Auckland Mounted Rifles, Captain and Adjutant 'Nutsford" (First - Auckland .Mounted Rifles), and Lieutenant - Cbesney (staff, officer). Captain - Ralph - Wyman commanded the .Pukekohes, and had associated-with him Lieutenants Schbfleld ' and. Johns?- while .Captain .Bent '.was 'in command -of. the Walnku squadron,. with Lieutenant Herrold. A good; site. was. found on Mr W. Ronllston'a'.property, abont a mile -from' the township,'; for the parade, ■■;which took, ;ttie form or' a: field "day, 'and very good work was done. Colonel Davles, after parade, expressed his pleasure with .the work of the squadrons,, congratulating them.on the Improvement shown In drill, and general efficiency. The Waluku squadron have been weak in- numbers J for some time,, and ■' the praise Is particularly. pleasing io . them. They are now-very-hopeful of recruiting well, and reinstating themselves in their former, position as one. of the. strongest squadrons to the district. Every effort possible Is. being, made to get; recruits • by, tain. Bent and his brother officers, and their success Is to be anticipated. -::