BIG GUN SHOOTING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1909, Page 3

BIG GUN SHOOTING.

PETONE NAVALS AT FORT KELBURNE. GOOD MARKSMANSHIP. The Petone Navals lired the first series of class-firing, from the 6-inch guns at Fort Kelburne, this morning, the results counting towards the Figure of Merit and the Classification of Garrison Artillery Companies throughout New Zea- [ land. The targets consisted of two "Hongkongs," towed at eight knots, at ranges varying from '5000 to 3900 yards, the moan range at which the actual shots were fired being 4200 yards. Eleven rounds were 'fired in the series, six rounds from No. 1 gun (in 4min llsec), and five rounds from No. 2 gun (in 4min lOsec). The results were very satisfactory. The battery commander this morning was Captain Ellis, while Lieut. Standish, R.N.Z.A., acted as range officer on the tugboat. His measured records of the shots were :—: — • Round 1 : Plus 10 ; a hit. ! Round 2: Plus 70;.a s hit. Ronnd 3 : Target ; a hit. Round 4 : Target ; a hit. Round 5 : Target ; a hit. I Round 6: Target; a hit Round 7 : Plus 10 ; a hit. ' Round 8 ; Minus 70 ; a, miss. I Round 9 : Minus 80 ; a miss. Round 10 : Minus 4Q; a hit. Round 11 : Minus 40 ; a hit. y \ The permissible error was 100 yards ovor or 40 yards short; therefore, as soen from the above table, all rounds falling outside those limits were recorded as misses. Nine hits were mado with tho eleven rounds fired. , During the firing casualties were made to both personnel and material, in order to test the ability of the gunners to ieplace casualties in action. This probably accounted for the latt few rounds being somewhat short. The standard time for firing six rounds is smin 30sec. It will therefore be seen from the times 'quoted above that the rate of fire was very good, and above the standard time. The second series will be fired toj morrow. The Auckland officers (Captain Knyvett, Lieut. Greenough, and SurgeonCaptain Murray — who was also on duty as medical officer) were present at the firing, and Colonel Campbell, Major Hume, Major Courtney, and Captain Chesney also witnessed it. Captain Richardson / and Captain Mickle were the umpires.