SERVICE NOTES. (By "Scout.")

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 127, 25 November 1905, Page 14

SERVICE NOTES. (By "Scout.")

Secretaries of volunteer corps and of rifle clubs are invited to forward any items of interest regarding parades, shooting, or general company news. A memorandum by the Artillery Staff Officer, expressing the satisfliction of Major-General Babington with the efficient state of the Petone Naval Artillery, has been received in Orders by the officers of that company. The report deals with the work done by the Petone Navals during the recent camp and the excellent discipline displayed, and receipt of it has ' occasioned a great deal of satisfaction amongst members of the company, who appreciate its complimentary nature the more because it comes from an Imperial officer accustomed to the strict attention to detail which marks the work of the regulars. The figure of merit 'achieved by the company is 90 per cent., a very fine record. Points are given for drills attendances, and other details, in addition to shooting points— and for this reason the high percentage gained is especially good, showing as it does that there is practically no "'tail" in the company. At Trentham last Saturday there was a record muster of marksmen, 256 being present. There is likelihood .that at a very early date the Railway Department will arrange to land the marksmen back in town at an earlier hour than that at present obtaining (7.45 p.m.). Such an alteration will be greatly appreciated by all competitors. Enlistment of recruits under age Is a subject dealt with in some Orders recently issued by the Officer-Commanding the District. The Order says: — "Instances having occurred of the enlistment of recruits under the prescribed age, it is notified that such is contrary to the regulations (paragraph 150) and that the Hon. Minister's sanction to enrol recruits under age must be obtained before the recruits are actually sworn in." There has been a reorganisation and revivification of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles, and recently a Manawatu Times reporter interviewed an officer of the corps regarding its future prospects. Dr. Peach has been appointed captain, and it is his belief that the corps has now left behind for ever the troublous .times that recently afflicted it, and which were once thought likely to necessitate disbandment. Detailing the position of the company, .the officer said that not only had the company become greatly weakened in regard to numbers, but here, and there things had got astray. The Government had refused to sanction the appointment of a captain until the deficit was cleared up. By dint of energy this was at last accomplished ; and the doctor was proud of his appointment. The corps now consisted of 43 membejs, the minimum number required, and at Saturday's parade there were ,iliirty-six in tiltendance. Nor was there any abatement in the increase ofl the numerical strength, said the captain, for recruits were rapidly coming in. The men now in the corps were the right sort, all the absentees from drill having been weeded out. The corps had been in existence for some fourteen or fifteen years, and was one of the few privileged to wear the South African badge. They were going to get right down to work to make the company as smart as ever it had been in its palmiest days, and to make tho duties as attractive as possible." lie was a great believer in giving the men plenty of outside work. "Let them get out round the 'town as much as possible and let the townspeople see them. I know I would always run down the street to see the mounted boys marching by, and I know that others like to see them, too. It does no harm, and it doea a lot ofl good." The captain went on to say that in all probability the corps would go into camp before February next, and that there was a probability that new uniforms would be indulged in next year. A proposal is afoot amongst marksmen to institute a Trentham Shooting Union. The intention is to form a body on lines of the Wellington Rugby Union, and to conduct championships for first, second and third divisions of marksmen, to be limited to companies shooting on Trentham range. In order that company and battalion events may not be interfered with, it ia proposed to confine championuhip competitions to two Saturdays in eacn month. The Anglican Bishop of Wellington fDr. Wa-llis), the Rev. J. D. Russell (Petone), and the Roy. W. Shirer (Newtown), having completed seven years' service as fourth-class honorary chaplains in tfhe Defence Forces, have been raised to the third-class division. The appointment of Halbert Glendining to a lieutenancy in . D Battery is gazetted. This week's Gazette publishes a syllabus of special periods of military history selected for examination of colonial candidates for commissions in the British Army.