DEFENCE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 21, 25 January 1911, Page 7

DEFENCE NOTES.

(By IiIFLE-JVIAN.) In preparation for the annual sixteen days' camp, which starts on February IStli, tne Auckland Division Garrison Artillery iield the nm of tliree fort-uuuiuiug parades ou Monaay night. There was a good muster, No , . 1 Company being stationed at Basnon, No. Z at Cauuey, and JSo. 3 at Xakapuiui. Lieut.-Col. G. W. a. l'attersou was iv charge in tlie fire-cominsinder'a station. The men are taking coiistdei-ahle interest iv their work, a fact that augurs well for the success of the camp, which will this year be a divisional affair, instead of each, company holding its own as in the past. The new Commandant, Major-General Godley, was obviously impressed with, the Division wlieu he was up In Auckland, and Uiis appreciation has put new heart into the men. capt. Uichardtson will come up for the -camp, and an interesting programme, of work .is Dems . mapped out.

Lieut.-CoL G. W. S. Patterson, who since he took command of the Auckland Division of Garrison Artillery, has kept this important branch of the service in a' state of efficiency that had never previously been achieved in the district, is about to take a trip to China, where his firm has large interests in nut-oil. He has been granted

the necessary leave by the Commandant, and will be away for about six monihs. There was some talk of tne Colouel resign* ing his command owing to business reasons, but the fact that he has reconsidered hte decisions-will give the keenest satisfaction in the Division, where his genial personality and entausiaam have made him extremeiy popular with officers and men. The service cannot afford to lose an officer of Col. Patterson's stamp, particularly at the present juncture, wheu the old order of things is giving place to the new.

The First Infantry Battalion camp in the Auckland Domain to capitate those men who could not attend the recent manoeuvres at Papatoetoe, ig passing off successfully under Major Plugge. During the camp the Battalion will complete the competition for the efficiency shield by putting hi company drill, guard-mounting, aud protection, at rest (outposte).

First Infantry Battalion will fire the marksmen's course for oJoveriinient medals on February 11 and 16 ax Penrose. A. C. and B Companies flre on the 11th, and B, D, F, and H Companies on the o.6th. O.C.s are to make their own arrangements ra markers. Last year these medals were won by Brownlee (North Island medal) and Carlfien (second 'North Island medai), of the Victoria Rifles, and King (district medal), of the No. 3 Natives. Brownlee and Carlseu each made 100, and King's score was 09.

Shooting at Penrose rifle range last Saturday, W. Cox, of the Victoria Kifles, put on 95 for the 4500 yards and 700 yards ranges, ten shots at each range, his card showing 49 at 600 yards and 46 ut 700 yards. This is such good shooting that I am almost sure in saying that it is the best score that has been put up hi the Dominion at these particular ranges. Private Cox was followed by 'Rifleman J. Paxslow, of the A K~n mna Club, with one point less.

It is more than likely that >by next winter the eighth company of the Fhst infantry Battalion (Countess of (Ranfurly's Own) will be formed; and. the battalion will then be at full strength, 672 men plus the staff

■WTille in Auckland the Commandant strongly favoured the idea of the corps retaining the old names by which they have been known for so long. He very wisely pointed out that certain companies had certaia traditions which clustered round the old titles, and ontslde the Army List, where of course the official designations must be used, he thought it a good thing to preserve the familiar names.

The South Auckland (Rifle Association meeting takes place on the 30th and 31st, at There is a .big entry list, with a fair sprinkling of Auckland names.

In future all official correspondence will be addressed at follows, and not to the officer commanding district, or his staff individually;—" District Headquarters, Defence Forces, Box 572, Auckland."

The range time table and officers for duty during February is as under: —4th: 200, 500 and GOO yards, Capt. Melville; lltK: 600 and TOO also 900 and 1000 yards, Lieut Cook; 18th: 600 and 700, aleo 900 and 1000, Lieut. Cooper; -JUtti: 200 and 300 yards, Lieut. Fialayson.

During the next few -weeks the Victoria Rifles intend recruiting up to their full territorial strength—which Is 84—and as their present strength is 63, there will foe a splendid opportunity for a score of young men to join the oldest infantry corps in the Dominion. The corps has a high reputation for efficiency and (in additional attraction is the encouragement and help given to young members to become •expert rifle shots, so the ranks should toe filled In a very short time.

Intending competitors are Temlnded in district orders that entries for Trentham meeting are due at the Auckland Defence Office by 11th February next, otherwise they will be charged 10 per cent extra. A catering fee of fifteen shillings per man will be charged, and must be paid at the time of entry. <No railway pass will be issued unless the competitor has paid at least £2 in entrance fees.

Arrangements In connection with the New Zealand Rifle Championship meeting, to be held tit ;Treniham next March, are well forward, interviewed on the subject by a representative of .the " Dominion." Colonel R. J. Coilins, -1.8.< X, Chief (Executive Officer of the Dominion Rifle Association, said that everything pointed to an entry list of something lite 600 competitors. The appearance of the camp -this year will be quite different from last yeaT, consequent upon the extension of the SommervHle Range— the centre series of mounds—&ack to 1000 yards. Immediately (behind the new 1000 yards mound, which, win be fenced off, will be situated the telegraph and telephone office, and Bress tents. The final match for the Rifle Championship Is to be flrea on the Sorremerville Range this year—in previous years the 1000 yards mound of the Seddon range was the contesting ground for the " big guns " —end the arrangements being made for the close proximity of the .telegraph station and Press tents will be of the greatest convenience. Behind these, and to the right, the lines of the main camp will be set out.

■The General Officer Commanding desires —in a. district order Jnst issued by ColoheJ Wolfe—to express his high appreciation of the way in which all ranks of the Auckland Garrison turned out for him to see them. He quite realises that many of them came in ■from long distances to attend the parades, etc., and he -was much gratified at seeing such good musters on church parade and at his inspections in the Drill Hall.

Captain -Robert Carpenter, 'Assistant Adiutant and Quartermaster-General ol tie AttcHand district, has been granted aimnai leave of absence from the 23rd to the J2th proximo.

Tie Elfle OWb rertadi <wtm formed tn CamiwWge some little time since has been accepted by 'the Government, and there is no doubt but that the number on "the toll will soon be largely increased. Thanks to «he energy displayed by Mt. M, <D. MicSolas, iwiho inaugurated the movement, more than the -required npmber were enrolled at once; tout there are always some who do not put down their names tmtfl they feel strre *ne matter ivill ibe brcrasiht to a issue, and these will now be (forthcoming as ..members.

Ak-arana Rifle Clnb has Issued a neat card giving the fixtures for February, March, and April. Particulars of the trophies to be: fired for, the ranges, and the range-officers' are given, and there ore also a few notes It ia advJßabl* tor riaemrn to tanember...