NATIONAL RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume xc, Issue 79, 1 October 1915, Page 5

NATIONAL RESERVE

Undeterred by the prevailing inclemency of the weather, the members of the Miramar unit of the National Reserve mustered in force at the Town Hall, Miramar, for the usual weekly parade on Tuesday night The influence of a good instructor was apparent in the improved bearing of the men and the smartness with which the various movements were executed. A special feature of the evening was an able demonstration of the M'Laglen system of bayonetfighting by Sergt. Syindall, who was assisted by Lieut. Nimmo, the unit's drill instructor. Those present appreciated the demonstration and the evident keenness of the men to learn the system. Sergt. Syindall generously offered to devote a couple of evenings per week to the instruction of the ,unit in this important branch of military knowledge It is hoped that a bayonetfighting item will figure on the programme at the display on Seatoun Park on 16th October The Miramar unit is probably the first branch of the National Reserve in New Zealand to take up the M'Laglen system of bayonet-fighting as part of its work, and members are congratulating' themselves upon their good fortune in securing the services of such a competent instructor as Sergt. Syindall. The usual weekly parade of the Island Bay-Berhampore section of the National Reserve was held on Wednesday, and showed a very satisfactory attendance." The various platoons were put through firing exercises by^ their commanders, under the supervision of the instructor, and the parade was followed by short lectures on visual training and distance judging. Thanks to the courtesy of the Island Bay School Committee in placing the commodious room of the new infant school at the disposal of the company, the work of drilling can proceed irrespective of the weather, and very steady progress is being made by this section of tho reserve.