DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 26

DEFENCE NOTES

News of Rank and File

ON PARADE AND OFF Wellington Regiment (By Liaison.) On July 9 the usual recreatioual training parade of the Wellington Regiment was held. Basketball, miniature rifle shooting and sundry guinea were carried out. Ou recreational training night in August it is hoped to have at least two teams present from “C” Company (Hutt Valley Company). Various competitions will then be held between the various companies, and it is hoped to make the night an interesting one. On July 16 the parade for officers and N.C.O.’s took the form of a lecture by Captain W. G. Gentry, N.Z.S.C., who gave a description of the types of gas likely to be used iu time of war, the methods of using it, and the protective steps to be taken. As Captain Gentry hak- recently taken part in experimental work in England iu connection with antigas training, his lecture was most informative.

• We wish to congratulate the following members of the regiment on their promotions: Captain C. D. Bryson, Captain A. T. McL. Scott, Lance-Sergeant C. A. Baynes, Corporal J. D. Barclay, Corporal A. W. McGechan, Lance-Corporal W. J. Nixon. Medals for efficient service have been awarded to the following members of the unit. We extend to them congratulations and expressions of satisfaction that they have remained with the battalion and have given such useful service for 12 years. The clasp to Sergeant C. E. James's medal denotes that he has extended his efficient service to 18 years. Sergeant C. E. James, clasp to medal; A./C.S.M. S. T. Meyers, Colour-Sergeant T. Thornton, Staff-Sergeant E. C. Berry, Sergeant C. A. Borman, Sergeant W. B. Spence. Hawke’s Bay Notes.

A perusal of the weapon, training return of the Ist Battalion, Hawke’s Bay Regiment, discloses the following as the best scores for the rifle, Vickers gun and Lewis gun for the year ended May 31, 1936

(1) Rifle course: (a) Fired on classification range: Pte. A. G. Ford (Gisborne), 130; Sgt. H. E. Coddington (Napier), 124; Sgt. R. J. Vaughan (Hastings), 124; Sgt. C. A. Newland (Masterton), 121. (b) Fired on 30 yards range: Sgt. H. E. Coddington (Napier), 131; L/Cpl. L. Angelini (Pahiatua), 131; Pte. A. G. Ford (Gisborne), 129; Sgt. I. D. Hendy (Dannevirke), 127. 2. Vickers gun course: (a) Classification range: Pte. A. M. Fanthorpe (Masterton), 288. (b) 30 yards range: Sgt. I. McLennan (Napier), 183. 3. Lewis gun course: Sgt. L. Dugleby (Napier), 97. Preparations are well forward for the annual military ball .at the Drill Hail, Napier, on Wednesday, August 5. An energetic committee is hard at work, and patrons are assured of a gool floor and tasteful decorations. It is confidently expected that the attendance will be greater than ever. New Plymouth.

During the week-end, July 11 and 12, an interesting rifle competition was held on Mr. Barnitt’s .property at Waitara. The competing teams were the Waitara Platoon, the Inglewood Platoon, both of Ist Battalion, the Taranaki Regiment, “O” Squadron, Q.A.MjR., the Waitara Returned Soldiers’ Association, aud L Squadron Legion of Frontiersmen. The match resulted in a win for the Inglewood Platoon and the L Squadron Legion of Frontiersmen were runners-up. Captain C. F. (Norton was in charge, and other officers present' were:—Captain J. G. C. Leaeh, Captain W. E. Scott. MAI.. Lieut. G. J. Morrall. Lieut. P. H. Surrey, and 2nd/Lieut. N. G. Crossman. After the match an interesting demonstration was given to the competitors and the public. The demonstration consisted of the firing, under difficult conditions, of the Vickers gun, Lewis gun, Hotchkiss gun and the light mortar. At the conclusion of the demonstration Mr. I. Pritchard, the president of the Waitara branch of the R.S.A.. thanked the officers and men of the Q.A.M.R. and Ist Taranaki Regiment for their match and interesting dernonstration of fire power of modern weapons, and ensured them of the hearty support of his organisation. The Inglewood Platoon, Ist Battalion, Taranaki Regiment, intend holding a return match at an early date.