THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 104, 25 January 1908, Page 15

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

■ FOR MOUXTED COIIPS. The; conditions under which the Plunket Shield- is to bo competed for among the various mounted corps between the middle of March and the end of tho first week in April', will be issued*in-a few days, but commanders of squadrons will bo glad to noto the main ones: No squadron is'to be allowed to'enter more than one team, so that local squadrons will have no advantage over those from a distance. 'Each team is to consist of two sergeants or corporals and six men, under tho command 'of a non-commissioned officer (who will not fireL All members of the squad miist have attended the previous year's annual training ; in camp. ' Horses ridden must havo'been through tho same training. The teams will havc to appear in marching order, but tho position taken. up may be any military ono in extended order. Tlie targets will bo 2ft. by 2ft.,,'rows of four,'and eaich hit on tho target will count one point. So that tho competition may. be carried out on strictly service lines, no sights -will he allowed to 'bo pain'ted or orthoptics used. The_ competition will 'be conducted so that points will bo awarded for judging distance, riding, dress, leading squads and' drill, as well as hits on tho targots. The Shield is to be fired for an-nually-each district having the competition allotted; to it in turn', the North and' South Islands being taken alternately. It is at Lady Plunket's express wish that tho first competition is held in Canterbury. Free passes-will bo jssued to the competitors.' ■. Tho methods in which the competition will bft. couduoted arc:'-— , ' •\

- Squads will form up and he inspected by' Superintending Officer, and 'draw for positions. On command from tho S.O. sqpads will move on by order of squad commander, and move to firing point over tlio ground ■»nd jumps selected by S.O. Squads will be extended to t',vo ; yards between. files after bhey movo off. Squad will bo halted, odd numbers dismount and hand horses to even aumbers, who will take chargo, aiid move aorses 25 yards to rear and to 11 auk of firing joint; _ Squad commanders will ■ give order to ihargo magazines, .ivill estimate':range (judging -distance), and' order ■" Fire." ; l'Vom irder Fire," officer at firing, point will at :ho-expiration of 60 seconds, blow whistle vhe'n squad will cease firing ;• any man firing ifter wli.istlo sounding will be penalised two joints.' ;'

; Squad commanders, will then give execuiivo words of command to unload, stand to noises, mount, and _mov<) to next firing point, when saino detail will through as at first firing: point, except that , even numbers will ho ;brde'red to dismount, and odd numbers hold horses'.

Umpires at firing'' point -will take notion of words- of command and excoutiyp Orders, riding, jumping, and drill 1 of men, and award points, noting distance given by. squad commander.-

After mounting -at Second- firing point squad will move off -to firing point. Time will bo taken from, the order to" move from S.O. at..first starting point to "Halt"' on return to original startup point, and squads will be inspected by S.O. before dismissing. Arms will be examined before moving off, an 1 on return to starring point. If any member of ,team has. his magazine charged before starting from or on returning to starting point, his' squad will bo disqualified. V

Points will Ijo i awarded for: —Time: Twonty-five pointf nvill lie allowed |he squad doing the fastest',, timo; 2 points will ho dcduetttl for ovtSfy. CO seconds! i oi' fraction of GO seconds over;-the best or ; 'shortest time. Judging distance: Squad fcommuhdhr? giving tho correct dist/inoo will he ; : nlltnvqil '2o points; for every 60 yards or fraction of-'W) over or finder correct distance '2 "(joints will ho deducted, filiooting: Hits "oil target, to count one; words, of command will lie given as laid down in iNlrinunl Appendix, 3903. Drfcss: Maximum points allowed 'Jl>. Cotnrtiand, loading of squads, and management of led horses by men holding them, maximum points 25. Hiding mid jumping: Points will bo allowed as follows: \erv good 15 points, good 10 points, rair 6 points, indifferent •'!, bad none. The uinpjre.s at starting point ami fit each iiring point will tnko into consideration in invunliiig points: The command, leading, and handling of eqnad by commander, w'lirther proper words of command are given (Mounted Manual in use. at the time to be adhered to); the management, of led horses bv tho men in charge; riding and jumping.