DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

DEFENCE NOTES

Parades And Courses

WELLINGTON REGIMENT

Bi-

DEFENCE.

At 9 a.m. on Sunday parties of junior officers and selected N.C.O.’s of the Willington Regiment, with members of the Intelligence Section and Motor-cycle Platoons attached, moved off from the Wellington Railway Station to carry out a reconnaissance of the fortress area. The object was to discover alternative military routes in the event of main roads being blocked, and despite frequent showers and high wind on the ridges, detailed reports were secured. The motorcyclists excelled themselves in surmounting wet hillsides, while some parties performed considerable mountaineering feats in their endeavours to secure information. Lunch was enjoyed in the field, and though some local residents may have had their hopes of road-making activities raised unduly, the reconnaissance proved interesting and instructive to those taking part.

West Coast Regiment. Parades of sub-units of the Wellington West Coast Regiment began on Monday night. Recruit courses at Trentham for July again have a fair representation from the 'Wellington West Coast Regiment, Privates S. 11. Anderson and I). S. Chisinon, Marton, and Privates J. Moore, M. It. B. Lockhart, and J. G. Martin, Wanganui, attending from July 2 to 9. At the rifle and grenade course the regiment was represented by Lieut. 11. Dalzell, Sgt. Seccombe (Taihajie), Cpl. H. Hayman (Taiha.pe), and Pte. B. Guy (Wanganui). The 4th' N.Z.M.R. (B squadron) is represented at the recruits' course by Troopers S. Abbott. G. Bishop. D. Gordon, J. MeKeuzie, R. McMillan, N. Northover, J. Shannon, and K. Zander. Attending the mechanical transport, course from this unit are 2nd Lieutenant H. R. Cameron. Gpl. A. E. Brightwell, and Troopers E. P. Rutherford, 11. R. Marshall, H. L. Price, and R. G. Proctor.

Engineers. A record attendance at the N.C.O. and recruit classes markeel the engineers' parade this week, indicating a commendable enthusiasm on the part of trainees. An instructive lecture on demolitions was given by Lieut. A. Jones, who discussed the effects of high and low explosives generally, particularly service explosives of both types, and the preparation of charges to produce specific results. The handling and use of explosives forms an essential part of engineer training, practical experience being afforded at weekend bivouacs and the like.

The officer commanding, Major C. A. Beach, gave a talk on map-reading, a subject of immediate interest to engineers in practically all branches of their work. A ready grasp of the main features of new country and the principle of direction-finding by prismatic compass proves invaluable in the carrying out of exercises and manoeuvres both by day and at night. Arrangements have been made for new postings to receive clothing and equipment in order to take part in next Monday’s full-dress parade. Training tests were passed by 1../ Sergts. Gibson and L’smar. Under the A -year training scheme the prescribed training teste must be passed to be efficient.