VOLUNTEER ITEMS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9024, 9 February 1895, Page 9

VOLUNTEER ITEMS.

"Weekly Press." Local Notes. The Christchnrch City Goards start (heir bronze medal matches on Febraary lGt.h. Mr Gco, Robinson, of the Port Victoria Club, has juet done another eaod performance on the dab's range. This time he has pa* up 98 at 200,500 sad (HlOyds. He leads for the bronze medaL The Associated Corps are gblnjr to extend their ranee to 600 and 700 yds. This is the effect of the Martini. UrD. M'Kay has won the Association's bronze medal in the North Canterbury Clnb. I hope he will have as much sneceas at Uie Association Meeting A Christehurch Volunteer jnet returned from the Wanganui district, «ays they are regular scorchers np there in the shooting line. So they should be, if past performances go for anything. The result of the Associated Corps match on Saturday, City Guards v. E. Battery, proved conclusively the superiority of the Martini, and besides this proved that oar I artillerymen knew the use of the weapon. < This match should do & deal* towards : causing the Government to favourably cob - i aider the issuing of Martlais to oar , ordnance corps. ' Blckhstjc Notes. f Great; changes have taken place In the aggregate scores of the first-class shots since last writing to yon. Three matobes have been fired, Sergeant Fuller obtaining the lead in the first, with Lieutenant Salmon second. Volunteer Harding third and Volunteer Bamsom fourth. In the next competition Sergeant Fuller main-, tamed his lead, Volunteer Bauson dls- { placing Lieutenant Salmon on the tie for i second jplaee, while Captain Rogers dieplaces Volunteer Harding on the tie for fourth place. The next competition at 500 asd 700 yds brings Volunteer Bansom to the front with » lead ct two points, Volunteer Harding second, Lieutenant Salmon third, and Corporal Griffiths fourth, displacing Sergeant Feller on the tie. In tnj* latter competition tiio oW «tfer«o Bofdteg, who, it wIU

be ranett ibered by aottthem men, went very doss to winning the Champion Bel» at th b Association on two occasions besides w inning other raloable trophies, made top score of 57, and when it is con* slrfered that there was a yellowish haze around tbje targets owing to the bash fires his score must be considered an excellent one, more especially at 500 yards, where he rattled up 33 out «f a possible 35. lam pleased to say the Blenheim Rifles have decided to set one ©f .the N.Z.R.A. bronze medals for competition amongsc its members. Of the competitions tired tor it, Lieut. Salmon and Vol. Ransom are tie with 60, Serge Fuller next with 53, and Capt. Rogers fourth with 37. ] Parades of both companies are agaiain j fail awing, and judging from the masters it i 9 evident; the men mean to uphold the honour of Marlborough Volunteers when j Colonel Fox cornea round on hia visit of inspection. Wklltnoton Notes. The City Blfies had a very success! ul inspection on January 2Stb. The inspecting officer wan Colonel Fox. Every man was present, which speak* well for the esprit decorps of the company. Captain Collins, the popular commander of thin company, was in command, with Lieut. W. G. Duthie as second. The appearance of the company as a whole was smart. A keen inspection was made by the inspecting officer of the aims and appointments of the men. Captain Collins exercised tbe corns in a variety of company movements of the new infantry dtiil, and tho company was then entrusted to Lieur. Dαthie, several movements being raoAt creditably performed. Arm drill &c, under tho non-commi«eioned officers, followed. The company was finally exercised in outpost duty and advanced guards. At tho close of the parade Colonel Fox complimented the corps en its fine mnater and iti excellent drill, which bad been gone through quietly and steadily. Tbe full strength on parade showed that there was a good heart in the company, and from the way they drilled it was clear they had been well taught. He complimented them on their smart appearance.. Two of the non* commissioned officers, he added, were rather nervous, but otherwise everything was satisfactory. A Good Pebformance. In the Wellington Notes last week there appeared a paragraph re the high score of iO9 put op by Private A. Ballinger, of the Wellington Guards at 300, 600 and GOOyds, which is claimed to be a New Zealand record for these distances. Private A. Ballinger is one of the bent known shots In

New Zealand. He is a native of Melbourne hie age being 33. He left Vlccoria in 1803, and came to New Zealand, and after a ahortresidenceinlnyercargillandDanedin he arrived in Wellington, where he has resided ever eiuce. Iα his early days, he attended the school at To Aro kept by the late Mr Holmes, and was a member of the Cadet Corps formed

by that gentleman, his brother (W. H. Ballinger) and Gunner G. Howe another renowned Wellington shot, being also members of the company. The boys used to fire at the old butts at Newtotvn, and it was there that Private Ballinger learned to shoot. Even in those days he proved himself an excellent shnt, carrying off a number of prizes. In 1878 he joined the City Rifles, and was one of the best marksmen in that corps, winning the

handsome silver cup presented to the N.Z.R.A., which was competed for on tbe firet occasion at Nelson in 1881, winning It right out in a third competition at Dunedin in 1882. In 1883 be left tbe City Biflea, and joined the Guards, with which corps he is still connected. His career since then has beon a highly successful one. Five times he baa won the Company's champion belt, 'and he has also taken numerous other prizes offered by tbe corps. In 1870 he attended the meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, arid he has taken part in every meeting of .that organisation since then. It was in 1879 that hi* brother (W. H. Ballinger) won the Rifle Champion Belt, with Arthur only 5 points behind him. At the meeting in Oamaru Private A. Ballinger

finished fifth for the Rifle Belt, and he occupied a similar position at the close of the 1892 gathering at Trentbam, his score being only six points behind that of Doughty, the Aucklander, who won the chsnipionehip iv 1892. At the latter inoetiag he shot remarkably well at tho fliuieh, and many who were present were of opinion that if there had been another match he would probably have made the

top score. In 1890 tho Association meeting was held at Dunedln, and he then finished seventh. On that occasion he was first for the beautiful cup given by the citizens of Nelson, and as he had won it at Neleon two years previously It became hie -? ?s In he/iiowever;; succeeded in securing Uie championship* of the colony by a margliS* of sixteen points, beating , M'Carthy, of Duuedin, and many other well-known nhots. He not tenth place last year at Htilsborougb. Hia height is sft 7ln, bis weight being lOdt, and he neither smokes nor drinks.

It was Arthur (who is a member) that fired in the Petone team that won the Champion Team Match Iα Australia (N.S.W.) In 1692, and not W. H. W. H. Ballinger fired in 1893 In that mutch. Arthur is also, a member of the Fetoue Rifle Club; ho has already* during this season made 90 and 0G at the same ranges, in face both brothers are shooting about the best in Wellington at present and should have a big show for the Rifle Belt.

Private Balllnger, who is a quiet, unassuming citizen, ia highly popular in Wellington, and Iβ receiving the warm congratulations of hosts of friends and acquaintance* on his splendid performance. For many" years he nan been a thoroughly consistent marksman, and the crowning sncce»a which he has just achieved- in richly deserved. J?r C. H. Aamodt, secretary Wellington Guards, sends mc the following partlcti* lars of the competition in which Private A. Ballinger made r the record:—Private Arthur Bellinger's scores, which I enclose, were made during a competition for Company's troohie* on Saturday, January 26th. Tho conditions were seven shots at 300, 500 and 600 yards, Wimbledon targets. The score was made in the presence of some fourteen other competitors with the Company's Martini, i<3., one issued by the Government to the.Company. The Company have received tea, being the first instalment of what we are to be armed with. I mention the above merely to satisfy any remarks which may be made as to the geriulneness of the record by such *« " Spotting Disc," Major. Umphelby a week or two back put up * world's record, viz., 101, at theie same ranges, but Private BalHoger is, without doubt, the highest (•core which has been made in jSTew Zealand.

I must congratulate Private Balllnger upon his performance and hope these may not be the last diagram* I ,• shall have to publish for this marksman, but that he will go' oh steadily improving until he passes the great score made by Major Umphelby at these ranges. He had hard lack this time net to get the 100, but Icon* fldently look forward to tee him achieve this feat. His diagrams are as follows ;—

The question as to whether Volunteers can fire iv BUle Clubs for bronze medals is just new considerably agitating the shoot* injc community of New Zealand. In Canterbury especially this quest ion is being constantly esked. Mr H. 6. B&tcheior, who was the local secretary at the lass annual meeting of the Association, has been applied to by several shooting men here, and the question had become such an important one that he decided to wire to Major Sommerviile, the chairman Of the Aeaociatiou, and jjefc his rulioß on it. Major SomraerrUle's answer is just to hand, aa<i is that ** Volunteers can fire In Rifle Clubs* matches for medals, but not in corp* for same thinjr." This is rery emphatic, and whilst it allows a privilege to volunteers, it must* on the other hand, be remembered that any volunteer who win* one of these medals in a club competition sinks his Volunteer position so far as shooting fn the Association meeting is concerned and must go through the meeting as a member of (he Rifle Club in which he has won the medal. He cannot represent his corps in any teams* match, nor in fact can he be recognised as a volunteer at the meeting. Dunedin Notes. "Bombardier"writes:—The Port Chalmers Navais have elected Mr G. Edgar (exQuartermaster Sergeant B Battery) as their sub-lieutenant. The B Battery are making rapid strides in field movement, their drill last Wednesday being exceptionally good, when she Battery was exercised in counter-march- j ing by half-batteries and subdivisions, j forming into line, moving in echelon, and I formin : . into line from echelon. Great' credit is due to the officers of this fine corps for their unceasing efforts to place the Battery in its enviable position. Lieut. May, of the Engineers, afcer ten years service, has deemed it advisable to sever hie connection with that; corps, time not permitting this enthusiastic officer's attention to his duties. His loss will be deplored, and a long time must elapse before his place can be no ably filled. H.M.S. Royalist left Dunedin wharf on Saturday afternoon in low of the Plucky, amid the enthusiastic cheering of some thousands .of people assembled. The Plucky had on board the Dunedia Garrison Band, who enlivened the passase down the harbour by playing several selections in excellent style. Oα reaching the Heads the Plucky crossed the man-o'-war's bows, the band playing "Rule, Britannia," which was responded to by three right hearty cheers from the ship's crew, ana with the signal BR D (adieu), hoisted in response to the Plucky , * signal, the Royalist proceeded on her voyage. A battalion parade was held on Tuesday evening, the various corps being exercised in the new'attack formation, acquitting themselves so well as to earn commendation from the commending officer. Parade state wah : Staff Lieut.-Colonel Webb. Adjutant Milne. Sergt.-Majors Tavler and Cassel; Navale 55, City Guards 54, North Dunedin Rifles 55, Highlanders SI, Garrison Band 32. Grand total, 251. A match was fired cm Saturday between teams representing the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Rifle Clubs, and resulted in a victory for the D.R.C. by 76 points. Con *ltione were, seven shots at 200, 500 and 600 yards, ten aside.—Dunedin Ride dab, 795 : Port Chalmers Rifle Club, 719. The Bunedin Navale fired a match with the Permanent Artillery on Saturday afternoon at Pelichet Bay range. The eondltionswere: seven shots each, twelve aside, standing at 200 yds, kneeling at 300 yds, and any position at 400 yds. The Artillerymen led by 4 poiti ta at 200 yds, the Navais Rained 2 points at 300 yds and after an excitingly dose match finally won by 10 Dointa. Corp. Webb (67) and Gunner Wainhoune (56) were the highest scorers for the Permanent, at were P. O. Jack (61) and Gunner Williams (60) for the Navajs. On Friday morning with a bad light and puffy wind theß Battery fired their third match for the Company's belt. The competition has now reached a very Interesting stage, there being one point between the first two and the third man, Gunner Willis and Corp. Weab being ties and Gunner Davys one point behind. The fourth and final match takes place next Wednesday morning, when a close finish is expected..

VicTonta's New Govsrhor. Evevy volunteer in Australasia, but .especially ' the.'.naval section, should be glad to hear that Lord Brassey has decided to accept the position ot Governor of Victoria. Ho has long had yes led interests in"Au3tralia, and now we may expect that the Question of defences will have a prominent portion in the affairs of state.

It is not, however, with Lord Braseey, as Governor oC Victoria, that. I propose to deal, but rather to give some few particulars ot his work ami ideas in organizing what is to day ono of,the principal of our means of defence, viz,, the naval artillerr volunteers. It was Iα 1873 that Mr Thomas Bras&ey, M.P., succteded,after strenuous efforts in passing a Bill through the House of Commons entitled "The iloyal Naval Artillery Act," empowering the raisioK of volunteers for defence.

Mr Bra*»«cy immediately issued circulate all over England with toe result; that a naval corps was raised In London in 1874. This Idea at firsfci was to incorporate the different rowing and yachting clubs, in the same irtanner as later on the attempt was made to induce the cycling clubs to form corps of their special departments.

Iα a pamphlet issued Iα 1874 Mr Braesey pays a great compliment to the patriotism of che English people.andre the proposal to establish such a branch of volunteers he says: "Iα any other country than our own it would, in alt probability be visionary. Iα - England, however, we possess a guarantee for the success of such an undertaking, which cannot be found elsewhere. A taste for maritime pursuit* pervades this insular nation, and the hope may therefore be confidently entertained that the appeal, now made to the patriotism of the nautical and aquatic sections of the community, will not be urged In vain. Eminent naval authorities have, for many years past, recommended the formation of a corps for the purposes of coast defence, composed of pereons who, while not possessing the wider experience of the seaman, are accustomed to the management of boats, and in the constant habit of going afloat. The Act for the Royal Naval Artillery Voloeteera, papsed in the last session at the instance/of the Admiralty, and the regulations recently leaned under that Act, afford the most convincing proof that, in the estimation of those who are actually responsible for the efficiency of the naval service, such a force is desirable. The concurrence of the naval members of the late administration in the various step* which have been taken may likewise be quoted, in order to show that there Iβ a general desire among those to whom the welfare of the navy is an especial object of solicitude, for the success of the move* meat, which It Is the object of the prevent writer to explain." , After stating the special duties for which the Naval Volunteers would be detailed in case of war, he says: " It Is to be observed that a mere oarsman, although not trained at th«f great gnaa or in the use of rifle and cutlass, would be enabled to do good work in a service in which the use of boats must be largely resorted to; end that, in order to take a number at a gun mounted on a raft, such an the Nancy Dawson, which the late Captain Cole improvised for our naval operation* In the Sea of Azof, or to serve In a gun's crew in a floating battery for harbour defence, neither sea legs nor sea experience are indispensable quailQeetion*. For such duties chose qualities are required which equally combine to make a good gunner and a good soldier, whether afloat or ashore—a fair share of physical strength and activity, intelligence, and, above all, courage and patriotism. Designed, as the Boyal Naval Artillery Volunteers have been, for the especial work of coast and harbour defence, it is not necessary that the corps should be very numerous. It certainly need no exceed the numbers of car amateur yachts, mea and oarsmen, for whom the opportunity, now offered, of taking their share in the national defence is chiefly intended. Enough will have been done if a brigade can be formed at each of the principal ports, of a strength warylng from 200 to GOO men." It will thus be seen that Mr Brasaey Was certainly not sanguine of raising a large force; the movement, however, caught on at once, and soon spread all over the country. The idea was to form a strong defensive force for the commercial harbours of the country, and even Lard Brassey, sanguine as he was of the success of tb* movement, must have been surprised when he saw the high position of efficiency into wbieh it has since raised itself.

The movement baa now spread over all the colonies, and we may depend thai) in Australia, ender the fostering eye of it* originator, the Naval Volunteer movement will not deteriorate.