DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 6

DEFENCE NOTES

News of Rank and File

FIELD ENGINEERS

(By

Liaison.)

The members of the 2nd Field Company held their first parade for this traininn vear early in June. The evening was spent in the reorganisation of the company and instruction in knotting and lashing’followed by a lecture on ‘1 he Organisation and Duties of a Field Company of Engineers,” which was much appreciated by those present. This year s training has now started in earnest. Unit parades and n.c.o.’s classes are held on the four Mondays in each month. , The syllabus contains a great deal or interesting work, embodying instruction on map reading, bridging, field defences and the use of camouflage. Sports evenings have been introduced on odd Monday evenings. Basketball, volley ball, deck tennis and miniature shooting are the principal games indulged in on these occasions. A great deal of interest has been taken in these parades in the past, and it is hoped during this training year to be able to arrange competitions with other garrison units. This should add to the enthusiasm already noticeable. The results of last year’s shooting have now been analysed. L/Cpl. H. A. Gibson wins the silver cup and badge for the best shot in the company. The following qualified for marksmen’s badges, obtainin'- at least 95 points out of a possible 140:—L/Sgt. J. J. Craig, L/Cpl. D. G. Holmes, L/Cpl. W. J. Mullis, Spr. J. I. Jay, Spr. E. P. Drake, Dvr. H. M. Rogers, Dvr. C. H.. Matthews. Other trophies won during the last training year are:—Polished shell case for the best knotter and lasher under the rank of corporal, won by L/Cpl. W. J. Mullis. A similar trophy presented to the most efficient n.c.o. (corporal and above) was won by Sgt. J. A. Fergusson. Service stars for the completion of four years’ efficient service in the territorial force have been earned by the following: —Cpl. V. B. Bailey, Spr. E. A. Banner, Spr. R. C. Coe, Dvr. G. F. Old. Dvr. H. M. Rogers. Signals Depot.

'The central depot, N.Z. Signals, will parade on Monday evening, June 22, for the purpose of issuing pay for training performed during the half-year ended May 31 last. The obligatory training laid down for the year requires all ranks to perforin a minimum of 36 hours’ training on evening or half-day parades. The depot’s syllabus of training has been made up to cover this period, the first evening parade being on Monday. July b. and regularly thereafter on the first and third Mondays of each month. In addition half-day parades will lx- held for the purpose of firing the annual musketry course and two week-end eamps will be held at Trentham. Dates for half-day parades and week-end camps will be notified later in standing orders for the year. The location of the next annual camp of the unit has not yet been decided upon, but it is confidently anticipated that it will involve a change from Waipukurau, where the camps have been held for the last few years.

Napier Area. The non-commissioned officers in Napier have decided to form a club. An energetic provisional committee has been formed and is busy in preparation for the first meeting, which is to be held on June 22. The club has been granted the use of the upstairs portion of the artillery barracks as a club-room. These quarters can easily be made very comfortable. N.c.o.’s iii Napier are urged to join the club. A successful club cannot be run without a full membership. Fuller details of the proposed activities of‘ the club will be published after the first mectin*’* Arrangements have been made for Captain G. 11. Clifton, M.C., and Major W. G. Stevens, of general headquarters, to lecture to the officers’ club on July I and August 12 respectively. These officers will‘lecture to tjie officers in Gisborne on the evenings following the above dates.« Their subjects are “Tank Brigade Manoeuvres, 1935.” and “International Affairs” respectively. All officers are urged to attend as, apart from the obvious interest of the subject, both lecturers are very good speakers. The lectures will be held at Napier in the artillery barracks, and at Gisborne in the drill hall.