HONORARY TERRITORIALS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14810, 30 October 1913, Page 3

HONORARY TERRITORIALS.

MEETING AT CHRIST'S COLLEGE

Members of tho Honorary Territorials attached to the Christ's College Senior Cadets were the guests of Mr A. E. Belcher, headmaster of Christ's College, yesterday afternoon, when- a short meeting was held.

Mr Belcher explained that he desired to become better acquainted with the members of tho Honorary Territorials who were attached ito the contingent of which he had the honour to be the commanding officer. He thought it was their desire to translate a sentimental attachment into something that was practical, and hero the difficulty arose of doing this without involving some pecuniary sacrifice. It would perhaps be of advantage if he outlined a fewideas that occurred to him in this connexion. One of tho most. important questions was that of raising the standard of school shooting. At present the shooting facilities were not goexl. The lange, six miles away, was not an echelon one—that is, firing could not be carried put simultaneously at different ranges.—and it was impossible, he understood, for the class firing, as laid down by tho Defenco regulations, to bo properly carried out by the large number ot troops who had to use the ra'ige. He suggested that the honorary territorials might make themselves acquainted with existing conditions, might visit the range personally when the contingent to which they were attached wero carrying out their class firing, and in some way arouso sufficient public interest to pave the way towards attaining adequate shooting accommodation. A new range was not a thing for which they could go to the Government; the capital expenditure involved, if all the provinces were to be treated alike, would be far too heavy. Quite apart, however, from exciting public interest in this matter, there was tho good work the honorary territorials could do In arousing enthusiasm for shooting in tho school. Matches might bo shot between teams selected from the honorary territorials and from tho Collego contingent. On that occasion the ladies might assist in providing refreshments, and in bringing along their friends, and any other people interested. The College military banel might also be encouraged. Again there was the possibility that if the College could raise a really good team, the contingent might bo represented at the Auckland Exhibition. After seeing the work the boys could do, tho honorary territorials might feel eiisposed to assist in financing the trip North. Ho reminded his hearers that the College had a military side, and candidates would be sent up for examination, with Duntroon «s their goal. Some day it might be possible to provide an exhibition, _so that the honorary territorials might be brought into closer touch with tho Defence movement by having a career that they could watch in an exhibition winner. These were a few of the ideas that had occurred to him. ■Mr E. W. Relph said that ho certainly thought that the honorary territorials could do much good in assisting the Territorial movement, and without very great persona! sacrifice. A minimum subscription should be fixed. Dr. Evans emphasised the necessity for extreme caution in the matter of imposing any pecuniary obligations on honorary territorials. and thus alienating any of their members. It was decided that those present, with the exception, of course, of Mr Belcher, who as commander of the Collego Senior Cadets, is not an Honorary Territorial, should form a committee, with power to add to their number, and that a meeting should be held shortly to decide matters of policy. Mr C. L. Hart agreed to , act as secretary and treasurer, and Mr Belclier very kindly offered to place a room at the disposal of tho committee. ~ . .