DEFENCE SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 147, 17 March 1933, Page 15

DEFENCE SERVICES

News of Rank and File ON PARADE AND OFF Topics of the Moment

(By

"Liaison.”)

It is somewhat surprising to read that in go-ahead America the ration of the navy was prescribed by Congress as far back as 1806. The changes in ..British Navy rations since then have been too numerous to mention, and the whole messing system of both ollicers and men has been changed more than once. 'The Navy Department at Washington has introduced from July 1 an experimental ration list for the enlisted personnel which is being tried for three months. This is the outcome of representations from officers that the old ration system “had outgrown its usefulness.” It has been shown that while the 1906 law provides for IJlb. of fresh meat for each ration, the average meat consumed by the enlisted personnel is about lib. per ration. Then the authorisation of fresh vegetables is ijlb. per ration, and it is believed that the amount should be increased to about 211 b. In other words, less beef and more beans seems to be the order of progress. The items of the new ration are ' numbered from 1 (biscuit) and 2 (bread) to 39 (syrup), 40 (spices) and 41 (yeast). It is an indication of the mixed composition of the United States naval personnel that item 27 (cereals, rice and starch foods) is to include spaghetti for the Italians, and that item 10 (canned vegetables) is tp include sauerkraut for the Germans. It has often been remarked that as a rule American sailors are slimmer than those of the Royal Navy. Possibly this is because judging by the ration system, they eat less meat.

Artillery Camps. Up to date the three units of the 2nd Field Brigade have completed their annual camp at Waipukurau. In each case the attendance, has been satisfactory and the discipline good. A notable advance has been made during the year in horsemastership. Stable routine and the care and cleaning of harness have been given full attention. The standard of riding and driving is also improving. The range, which is placed at the disposal of the Defence Department by generous landowners, has been extended. The extension has allowed of more varied and advanced forms of shooting. Each battery to date has carried out two successful shoots with air the observer and machine being provided from the Air Base" at Hobsonville. Each battery has also done successful work with methods of prediction of fire based on survey practice. Another interesting departure has been made .by the uso of flank and forward observing officers. This definement allows targets, which are difficult to see and engage by the normal methods, to be rapidly brought under effective fire. Social activities in the camp have not been neglected. A cricket match against Waipukurau has been a weekly feature and local concert parties 'gave their assistance. The Artillery Band was in camp for one week.

Enthusiasm of Cadets. ‘ A successful and enjoyable camp was held from March 6 to 11, when the Hawera High School Cadet Company went under canvas on the Show Grounds, the site having been lent by the Egmont A. and P. Association. The strength of the company is 140, and it is commanded by Lieutenant J. C. Findlater. Training included work on Vickers and Lewis guns. Special, instruction Was given to N.C.O.’s. All ranks showed much interest in their work, and the general appearance, of the company during a route march through the town was the subject of many favourable comments. The music for the march was provided by the High School Military Band, members of which were also in camp. The staff ofjicer in charge of the regimental district, Major A. E. Conway, N.Z.S.C., inspected the company during the eamp? The cost of rations for the camp was defrayed by subscriptions from th? boys, and generous donations from many well-wishers. The' Stratford High School Cadet Company, which is the present holder of the Islington Challenge Shield, for the highest average score in the Dominion, has again been nominated as the Central Command representatives for the year 1933.. Gisborne News. The annual camp of “A" Squadron andHeadquarters Wing, Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles, will take place at Gisborne in April. Owing to the local cattle fair now being held near the end of April, the dates of the-camp have been altered. The refresher course for officers and N.C.O.’s will be held from April 3to 6. They will march into camp on April 3, and the remainder will assemble at camp on April 6, and all ranks will inarch ont on April 13. It is understood that Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. Maunsel, Officer Commanding the W.E. C.M.R., will be at this camp. The regimental' signallers of W.E.C. M.R. and First Hawke’s Bay held a field day during the week-end, March 11-13. The work consisted of signallers’ duties and station work during a battalion attack. A meeting of the Garrison Officers’ Institute was held at Gisborne on Monday, March 13. A lecture on machine-gun fire control was given by Captain A. Bongard. N.Z.S.C. The N.C.O.’s and men of the Territorial Social Club also attended the lecture.

Naval Promotion. His Excellency the Governor-General has approved of the promotion of Lieutenant Thomas Andrew Vickers to the rank of lieutenant-commander, Royal Naval Reserve (New Zealand Division), to date March 1, 1933.

Promotions and Transfers. The Manawatu Mounted Rifles. —Captain G. H. Burton to be Major. Captain 8. H. Gilsiinan, M.M., is transferred to the Reserve of Ofiicers, Class I (b), R.D. 0.. 2ndLieutenant IL F. Smith to be Lieutenant. David Lewis Broome to be 2nd Lieutenant. The Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles.—Lieutenant IL A. McAulay to be Captain. Regiment of N.Z. Artillery.—Lieutenant E. G. Gedge, M.C., Artillery Section, Waltaki Boys’ High School, to be Captain. Evan Shirley Harrowell to be 2nd Lieutenant, and Is posted to the 18th Medium Battefl-

The Hawke's Bay Reglment.-ZLleutenai't C. E. Iversen from the Canterbury Regiment, to be Lieutenant, with seniority from March 1, 11)31, and Is posted to the Ist Cadet Battalion. The undermentioned 2nd Lieutenants to be Lieutenants:—E. IV. Bllham, 2nd Cadet Battalion; A. E. Lee, Ist Cadet Battalion; J. K. Brown, Ist Cadet Battalion; C. G. Frazer, 2nd Cadet Battalion. 2nd Lieutenant,(on probation) B. I. Fulton, Ist Cadet Battalion, Is confirmed in his appointment, dated December 14, 1930, and Is promoted to the rank ot Lieutenant.

Regiment of N.Z. Artillery.—Lieutenant C. A. Williamson, 15th Coast Battery, to be Captain. The undremeutloued 2nd Lieutenants to be Lieutenants:—G. J. M. Bacon, 3rd Field Battery; 11. S. Wilson, 21st Field Battery; I. H. BeVan, 21st Field Battery. N.Z. Medical Corps.—Lieutenant W. B. Fisher, M. 8., attached Ist Battalion, the Hawke's Bay Regiment, to be Captain. Lieutenant R. E. Hall, 8.A., M. 8., Ch.B., 3rd Field Ambulance, to be Captalu. Captain W. B. Reekie, M. 8., from the Reserve of Officers, to be Captain, with seniority from August 27, 1928, and is attached to No. 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. Lieutenant-Colonel H. L. Gould, M. 8., Ist Field Ambulance, Is transferred to the Reserve of Officers, Northern Command. Major J. H. Will. M. 8., ceases to be attached to the 3rd Field Battery, and Is appointed to command the Ist Field Ambulance (vice Lleut.-Colonel H. L. Gould, M. Walton Howorth Bremner. M. 8.. F.R.C.S. Eng., to be Lieutenant, and Is attached to the 3rd Composite Company, N. Army Service Corps.