DEFENCE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 12

DEFENCE NOTES.

The members of "B " Company, Ist (North Auckland) Battalion, who have been unaer canvas at Dargaviiie since Monday lasl, struck camp to-uay. Thf 3rd Battery, N.Z.A. (Mjijor C. N. Newman, D.5.0.), lias been reorganised as iii six-gun battery This forward step has I been made possible owing- to a decided inrreasc in strength. Captain \V. E. oi-sborne, formerly stationed at Calcutta. lias been attached. Captain Orsborne saw service in France with the R.N.Z.A., being Willi the 13th and 4tU (Howitzer) Batteries. The next paraue or this unit has been fixed for Tuesday, July ii. A visitor to New Zealand at present is Major J. Chrystal, or the lath Hussars. For some time he was engaged on special service with the Sudanese Army, being stationed at Siiendi, north or Khartoum, and carried out exploration work in Central Africa. Before returning; to the Sudan, Major Chrystal intends taking a course at the Cavalry Staff College, Camberly. Arter considerable controversy, it has been llnally decided that tne St. Stephen's College annual barracks be held from September la to 20. Tbe training: will be carried out at the Narrow Neck grounds. The Drill Hall at Dignan Street, Ponsonby, which was recently damaged by lire, has now been repaired, and is available Tor the usual night parades of the Ponsonby Senior Cadet companies. Tne ! 27th Company paraded In the hall last j Monday. I The Seddon Technical College Senior I Cadets will hold a week's camp at Narrow ■Seek, from September 24 to 30. About »aso lads will attend the camp. Major G. P. O'Shaughnessy will be In command. In this column last week It was rumoured •that no rations would in future be granted by the Defence Department for voluntary week-end camps. This rumour lias now been confirmed. It is understood that the derence vote is not sufficient to cover the expense of the camps. it is unfortunate that this system of training should be cut short when becoming so popular. The entries Tor the Territorial and Senior Cadet boxing competitions close with, the secretary of the Military Sports Association on Monday next, and the bouts will be beld in the DriU Hall, Rutland Street, on the 28th, 29th, and 31st or this month. The weight limits are as rollow; Midget, 6st 71b; paper, 7st; lly, 7st 101b;; bantam, Bst 21b; leather, Ost; light, lost; Welter,' lOst 91b; middle, list 41b; light heavy, 12st; neavy, any weight. Nominations are limited to two per weight per company. This Includes territorial units, senior cadet companies, and H..M. Navy (each snip counting as a unit). Although the entries have not yet closed, no rewer than 90 territorials ana cadets have entered for the boxing championships, which will be held at the end or the present month. It is expected that this number will be considerably Increased by the time the lists are closed. This year's carnival will be held under the auspices of the Northern Boxing Association. Mr. T. Sampson will act as referee, while the following have been appointed judges: Sur-geon-commander Patterson, Mr. A. H. Gillies, Major Butterworth, Captain Potter (physical instructor at the V.M.C.A.), Captain Hunter, and Captain Park. Seating arrangement at the Drill Hall is calculated to accommodate 1200. Music will be supplied by the Auckland Artillery Band, under the leadership of Lieutenant S. F. Cater. In connection with this year's boxing carnival, a handsome shield has been presented to the Sports Association by mc Working Men's Club, for inter-company competition. This shield will be competed for annually by the senior cadet units, the teams being limited to live members. Nine teams have already entered Tor the competition. The members of the winning team will receive gold medals, exact replicas of tbe shield. Points for the shield will be awarded as follows: J point to every competitor who competes, 2 points to the winner of each bout (one points each to be awarded in case of a draw) while point may be awarded to a losing boxer who puts up a good light. A special medal has been presented by Messrs. Herron and Hunt, to be awarded to toe most scientific boxer In the feather-weight division. The flrst consignment or apparatus ror the ntting up or a gymnasium in the Artillery Hall has arrived from Wellington. This gear will immediately be set up, and as soon as the boxing competitions have been decided, classes ror both territorials and senior cadets will be started. In future years the gymnasium should prove a boon lor boys training for the boxing competitions and athletic sports. Some enterprising: members of the Seddon Technical College Battalion have formed a shooting club. Practices are held at Penrose each Wednesday arternoon. Last week an inter-house competition was commenced, and will be concluded on July 30. In view of the forthcoming examinations ror territorials sitting for their nrst appointment, the following syllabus or the examination will not be out of place. The examination will be divided into two parts— practical and written. Although there is no education test, candidates will be required to be in possession of a Sixth Standard certificate or its equivalent. A candidate failing in the practical portion will not proceed with the written portion. To pass, 50 per cent of marks in each subject must be obtained. A candidate passing the practical test, but railing in the written, will be given a partial pass, but must complete at the next succeeding hairyearly examination. The standard required is that of a commander of a platoon in an infantry company or equivalent unit in other arms. The examination will be held twice annually during the weeks containing the third Wednesday in February and the third Wednesday in August. If possiible, the practical work will be held the day prior to the written. Will the tractor in artillery eventually replace the horse? Judging by recent developments, the question can be answered in the affirmative. Tractors, or "dragons" as they are called, have been in use in the Aldershot Command for the past twelve months, and are stated to be proving an entire success. Their adoption for the j drawing of all heavy artillery appears to be only a matter of time. Suitable tractors are available in New Zealand, and If they are to be introduced, it would certainly be a reather in Auckland's cap if one or the local batteries be the first unit in the Dominion to adopt this mechanical means I of movement. The use of the tractor in the Army has made rapid strides since the ' war, experiments having been carried out! in both England and India, and it appears that eventually mechanical means must! triumph. ■'