NO. I GARRISON ARTILLERY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 8

NO. I GARRISON ARTILLERY.

* IN CAMP AT FOET DOKSET. Nighi and morning, about seventy men all told, comprising the No. 1 Company of the New Zealand Garrison Artilleiy (more familiarly known as the Wellington Navals), man Fort Dorset — the latest addition to Wellington's Harbour defences. The fort, which, although ready for the reception and practise of the new six-inch guns (big, as far as ths Dominion is concerned), has yet to receive finishing touches. Apart from its value as a training depot for garrison artillery, the fort is credited with being likely to be of great value in guarding the entrance to the harbour, should the necessity arise." This is on account of its stragetic position, its guns being focussed on ' the entrance to the harbour, ' at a point where it is narrowest. From this coign of advantage the guns will also be able to be fired well out ±o sea, in a line with the harbour mouth. Offering, as it does, such ideal facilities for the practice of the particular class of work in which the Garrison Artillery specialises, small wonder that the men grow enthusiastic over the fort and their manoeuvres. The company went into camp on the 16th inst., and, witlh the exception, of three days' continuous training alt the time of the other Territorial all-day encampments, its daily period of training has been made to fit in between 6 o'clock at night and 7 1 o'clock in the morning. At the latter nour the men leave the camp for their respective occupations, returning again after 5 p.m. No big-gun shooting has yet been done, the whole time being given to instructional work and examination in various branches and of gun detachmente. Owing to the special circumstances arising out of the accommodation of the corps in the new fort, it is not likely that the company will participate in the usual competitive series. Firing of some description will, nevertheless, be indulged in, and it is expected that "some very interesting work" (the nature of which is not disclosed) will be performed during the coming week. The conditions for firing practice are sonujwhat difficult this year owing to the fact that the new 6-inch guns to be manned at Fort Dorset a<re the first of their kind to be mounted in the Dominion. The manipulation of these pieces of ordnance involves certain work of a nature which the Wellington Navals have, only recently had an opportunity of becoming acquainted wit-h. Despite this fact, however, the Territorials— who are under the command of Captain W. H. Morton — are in no way discouraged; on the contrary, they are keenly enthusiastic. Formerly at Fort Ballance the men were accommodated in permanent quarters, but with the removal of theirheadquartars to Fort Dorset all hands axe now housed under canvas. The weather, on the whole, having been satisfactory, this innovation has been found to. be a change for the better. Major-General Godlay, Commandant of ' the New Zealand Forces, will pay a visit of inspection to the camp on Thursday evening, and he proposes putting i in the night at the fort. Colonel Campbell, officer commanding the divison, j accompanied by Majors Courtney and Menzies, joined the caarp last evening. In all probability Sunday will take the form of " Visitors 1 Day." The Navals strike camp on 4th February.