ARTILLERY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1912, Page 2

ARTILLERY.

NEW HOWITZERS AND FIELD GUNS. 'Aa part of the new defence scheme, itifc proposed to increase the field artillery from four to nine batteries. There ie to be a battery of 18-pounders at each of the following centres: — Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Christchurdh, Nekon, and Invercargill. A battery of howitzers is to be supplied to the Artillery Corps at Palmereton North and at Dunedin. The D Battery, Wellington, is now being equipped with a battery of mountains guns. . The new armament for the Territorial Artillery, which is expected to arrive from England shortly, coneintd of six 18-poiinder quick-firing batteries, and two batteries of 4.5-inch howitzer*. Theee are the gliim at present in use by the linperial regular forced. ihe la-pounder firms' a ihrajmel shell. Ihe fecoil is taken up by a buffer and •fipnnge — the gun returning to the firing position automatically. The ammunition is fixed, having the appearance of a large rifle cartridge A rate Oi fire of twelve aimed rounds per" gun per minute was reached during practice laet year by. more than one battery in England. Ihia gun is considered to be equal to any field gun now being used by the artillery of any European Power. The howitzer has a very much higher trajectory than the 18-potinder, and is therefore more suitable for searching behind cover. It fires shrapnel and lyddite (a very powerful high explosive), 'ihe lyddite has enormous local effect on buildings and earthworks. The 4.5inch howitzer has been fdtind to be a wonderfully accurate weapon, and iid rate of fire is also good. FIELD AfiTILLfiRY dAMP. The D Battery leaves Wellington by special train for Oringi, near Dannevirke, on Saturday afternoon next at 3 0 clock to go into camp for a week's training. The J Battery (P'almerston North) and the V Battery (Napier 1 ) also go into camp at Oringi at the same time. There will be about 500 men at Oringi, with 140 liorses and four 15ptninders. The first parade will be at 6.30 a.m., and training will continue till 3.30 p.m., after which the men will bB free to enjoy themselves with cricket, football, and othef gatiiee, Which have be arranged fof. There will be shell practice for two days. The Director of Artillery (Coloftel Johnson) and his assistant (Captain Maidlaw) will be present. The Officers in charge of the batteries are :— ' D Battery : Major P"etherick; J Battery : Captain Mounsey ; and F. Battery : Lieutenant Frasen Arrangements have been made for a dry canteen, at which light refreshments and tobacco can be obtained. There will also be a daily postal delivery and despatch of matte, Th 6 site of the' camp will bd the same 88 LL 6*6 * tlie .Easter camp of two years ago. The position is Well Sheltered', and there are large fields for training and gun practice. Targets have, been arranged for across the Manawatu River. 1 ia h y iuim to town on Sun-