TERRITORIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 14786, 30 January 1912, Page 3

TERRITORIALS.

[By Skuxmishxb.] Items of interest concerning Corps (Town and Country), Shooting, and Territorial notes generally will be accepted. Ccfij, addressed to "Skirmisher," thould be in hand not later than Monday morning. Captain J L. Gillies (retired list), who was for seme years m command cf the Duncdin Highland Rifles, has been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces long-service medal, his service- to August 25. 1911, totalling 22 years and 182 days. After leaving Duncdin Captain Gilkes for some time took an interest in the Timnru Volunteers, but, htcrly transferred from the active to the retired list He was in Dunw.hi recently, and mot a good many of the old members of tne Highland R:!!cs, in which corps he still retains a keen interest. Gazette announcements: Bth Regiment (Sout'Tmd r.ill'-f) —H. J, W.ddcn appointed second lieutenant. Captain G T Dawson and Lieutenant S. J. S. Covpar resigned: I4;b Rigiinent (Smith Otigo Rifles)— Messrs I liwyor. J M'C'rae, P VV Frarer appointed lieutenants. Captain A W A. Biclurdson resigned. The Otago Garrison Artillery, like the oti-.-r units" is again in full swine:, and nr-r:in-e;i:ents regarding swearing in. uniforming, 'it-, are nearly completed. A reconirnend;:i:on f>r th«- promotion of Lieutenant J to ttie position of captain has Ucn fer«ard,d to the district headquarters, win!- Mr G F M-Keilar, of 11.M. Curtorrs, ihiiiedni. who was for some years an oihYer in the Fetor.e Navals. has been recommended for tlie pesition of lieutenant. When t.ae transfer of Mr M'Ke-Ikir has been completed he will be appointed to the charge cf the Duncdin section oi the Oaxrisen'Artillery The company has obtained permission to carry out the annual training at the Heads during Eater (4th to 111: i April), this being found the most convenient time for members to get off their work. Sergeant Fr.mk. cf Nelson, who was a member of the last Bisley team, while in Jutland sonio weeks at the Hyihe Sericol of Musketry. He has new been appointed to a position on the instructional staff, and is located at Rangiora. Sergeant Frank has been one of the most prominent f hooting men at the Trentham meetings for

many years past. The new mountain gun with which P Battery is to he equipped \s a quick-firer of 2 Dsin 'calibre. It is nT.de of steel, and its weight, with hreech-fittings, is 2561b. It has a percussion lire mechanism. The cartridge is either cordite or ballistite. The following projectiles are used:—(l) Shrapnel, weight 121b, mado of steel, containing 175 bullets (this is a man-killing projectile): (2) common shell, weight 181b (for destructive effect on material); (3) case shot, containing; 355 bullets (a man-killing shell at close range); |4) a star shell (for lighting up enemy's position at night*. The fuse used is time and percussion fuse No. 10. The gun team consists of sis mules for transport —namely, wheel and axe mule, a carriage mule, a cradle mule, a gun mule, and two ammunition mules. Tho approximate weight carried by each mule is 5101b. In moving along roads spare shafts are carried, so that the gun can be put together and transported on wheels. The cradle supports the gun, and is provided with two hydraulic buffers to check the force of the recoil. The gun is returned to tho firing position by means of two spiral springs. Tho cradle rests on the carriage. The gun is the same as that used in Egypt by the mountain artillery there. The initial velocity is not great, as it is more necessary with mountain guns to have a heavy shell in proportion to tho ■weight of gun than in any other class of artillery. In connection with the special examination of officers to be held during the third week in March, it has been decided that board* of examination will be held in Of igo at Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill. Milton. Gore, and Balchitha. The necessary forms giving particulars of officers fitting for the examination are to be filled in, and returned to district headquarters rot later than 23rd February next. If any r.'giment-s are in camp at the time> of the examination the officers will be allowed to sit there.

the following remarks by Lieutenantcolonel Burnett-Stuart at the meeting of the North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union may be interesting, as showing what is required in connection with the training of farm hands:—"Most of the difficulties raised were due to want, ot knowledge. A complaint had recently appeared in an Ashburton paper, and he had caused a reply to be sent, pointing out that if any person was warned to attend for training at a time inconvenient to himself or his employers, ho had only to inform in writing the officer, warning him of the fact, and he would be excused attendance on the understanding that he took a later opportunity of making up the time lest. lie received a request theother day from the Tiniaru branch of the Farmers' Union asking that the training should be postponed entirely till this middle of March. He had to* reply that he could not order a complete, postponement of the training to suit one section of the community, especially as the training had only just started, and it would be £0 bad for the scheme it they started it by stopping it. He was, however, abb to say thai as far as those were concerned who were engaged in agricultural pursuits which had to be attended to at this time of the year, they could nut in their parades at a time more suitable to themselves. The parades for attestation were absolutely necessary, for the men had to bo enrolled so that they might bo measured for their uniforms, but once a man had attended one parade for attestation and enrolment the Defence authorities were quite prepared to let him attend no more until harvest, was over, so Jong as he wotdd promise either to put in the required number of drills before the end of the. year, and if he could nut do that, that he would give an undertaking that he would do his best. They were not so unreasonable as to make the scheme so unelastic as to insist on everybody puting in the total required. As to the matter of allowing a man to attend for drill at another centre, tliat was already provided for by the regulations. A lad was perfectly at liberty to put in his drill at any centre he pleased", ami he was provided with a record book tor that purpose. The authorities were only too williir«, and anxious to suit everybody's convenience, but the thing was so big that there must be a little inconvenience to somebody. He did not think, however, that there, would be the slightest difficulty in meeting the objections raised that day, provided there Was the will to do the work. The scheme, in its present stage was bound to be experimental, but as they oot more in touch with the people they" would be able to find out what was best to suit the convenience of thc.-e in different parts of the country." The Dunedin Engineers had a good "muster on parade, on Wednesday last, when the members present were given instruction in recruit drill. Several oi the old members at present acting as X.0.0.s are sitting tor examination for corporals' certificates on Wednesday evening, and when the result of this "examination becomes known the appointments of those who pass will be confirmed. Sergeant "W. S. M G'rorie has been promoted to the position of company sergeant-major, in accordance with the latest regulation, and on Wednesday week the members will be allocated to their various sections. The Engineers will go into camp at Mandeviiie along with the Artillery Brigade B and C Batteries, from 24th "February to 3rd March. 'Extended Order Drill and the Company in Battle,' by an adjutant; and issued by Messrs Gale and Polden, Ltd. (price, Is not), will be found exceedingly helpful for instruction of officers and K.U.O.s. The book has been brought up to date in accordance with the latest infantry manual, and deals fully with the training of a company in all extended movements. Included also are notes on the supply of ammunition in the field, scouting and training in night also a chapter on advainced guards. The diagrams, particularly those showing the outpost signals, are a welcome addition to the text. To the Territorial Force, where training can only be carried out to a limited extent, the book is strongly recommended as a. guide to this important jwbjeoi. ■ .

Intending cornpetitons at the Dominion Rifle Association meeting aro reminded that entries for the competitions close, on Saturday next, 3rd February, Captain S. A. Grant (brigade major, Otago) will act as adjutant during the meeting; Captain Sandlo, R.N.Z.A. (Duncdin), will ho in charge of the Permanent Artillery, of whom there will be about 100; while* Cap tain F. B. Mabin will fill his old position of quartermaster. In selecting sites for annual training camps consideration is to be given to the cost of transport and distance trom railway eidings. Endeavors should bo made tb obtain sites free of charge, and where this is impossible the expenditure must in all canes bo submitted to district headquarters for approval.

The uniforms for the 4th Regiment (Otago Rifles) aro expected to reach Dunedin on the Ist and 3rd February, and will bo issued at the, parades of the various companies on the evenings of the sth, 6th, 7th. and Bth February. In connection with the annua! training camps, the regulations lay down that the company orders giving details' as to time, place, etc., and posted to members at least 14 days before the date of assembly for training camp will be suffie.fcjnt intimation, and any men not appearing at the time and place appointed in such' notice will be dealt with as absentees. The General OffieT Comniandinj has approved of the establishment, foi the rnilwav battalions of Territorial? for the North and Smith Islands. In the South Island the battalion will consist of seven companies for the present, with their headquarters at the following places :—Xo. 1. Christehureh ; Xo 2. Christ church ; No 3. Timani: Xo. 4, Oreymoulh ; Xo. 5, Duncdin; Xo. 6, Dunce!in ; Xo 7. InvercarciH. The following officers are required for headquarters of th 1 battalion .—Lieutenantcolonel H. Macandrew (a'rc-idy appointed) one major at Christ church, one adjutant at Christchureh, one quart'ruiastor-lieutenant a*. Christchureh. For the Ot igo companies the following officers are required : —Xo. 5 CompanyOne captain at Duncdin, one subaltern" nt Duncdin, one subaltern at Oamaru. Xo. 6 Company—One captain at Duncdin, one subaltern at Balclutha, one 6tibaltern at Stirling. Xo. 7 Company—One captain at friverea.-gill. one subaltern at Lumsden, one subaltern at Lnvercargill. The details of the various companies ar l : —1 captain, 2 subalterns. 1 sergeant-major, 4 sergeants. 4 corporals, 4 second corporals, 2 buglers, and 68 sappers. The annual training camp of the 4th Regimmt (Otago Rifles) will be held id Wairongoa. North Taieri, from 15th to February. For the purpose of pro cecding to camp, the battalion will rarade at the Garrison Hall. Duncdin, on Thursday, 15th February, at 9.50 nm. Baggage is required to b> at the hail at 9.15"a.m. on the same morning. As the. regulations do not make it plain whether rations are allowed for the days going to and returning from camp, the district headquarters advise that it should be clearly understood that all rations and forage will only be issued for the annual regimental or battalion seven days' training camp, and for the days of arrival and departure. In order to allow those members of the B Battery who have so far failed to attend the daylight parades an opportunity of doing some practical work previous to going into camp, a sectional parade was held on Saturday last, when there was present Lieutenant J. Cowie, 1 sergeant, 6 gunners, and 3 drivers. During the afternoon the gunners were put through gunlaying and the drivers harnessing. On Saturday next a match will bo fired on the Rifle Club's range. Pelichet Bay. between a team representing the Duncdin Defence Rifle Club and the Ota.'o Garrison Artillery (Port Navals). The."Rifle Club will be represented by Riflemen Bradley, Dippie, Fenwick, Gillan, Harty, Limn, Mnckay, Loean, Totter, and Tonkin. The second number of the ' Xew Zealand Military Journal' is now being compiled. Office'rs desirous of contributing are requested to submit th-ir pancrs to distrirt headquarters. Dp to the present no copies of the first issue of the journal have been received in Duncdin. but no doubt these will be to hand shortlv.

During this last week those present at the camn of instruction which is being held at Tahuna Park for officers and colorsergeants of tho Senior Cadets have had a strenuous time, but, notwithstanding tho bad weather, all are keen on the work, and enjoying the instruction. The camp is under the command of Cantain Thorns, staff officer for Senior Cadets, and those present have nothing but praise for tho manner in which all the arrangements have been carried out. Staff Sergeant-majo-.' Catto is also in camp assisting in the instruction. The work has been divided into two classes for the b.merit of those working in town and those from outside Dunedin who -an remain during the day. Reveille is blown at 5 a.m., and everyone parades at 5.30 for physical ex reises and musketrv instruction. ~7n the evening squad drill and lectures are given, camp routine instruction being given during the daytime. Lieutenant M'Hugh. of th' Dunedin Engineer Cadets, gave the officers some practical instruction in the .-obstruction of hastv entienchments, and some very good work was done, the trench showing various methods of protection with traverses, recesses, head cover, over-head cover, and loop holes. (4rc.it inter .'st vas taken in this, tho officers showing what they could do in the wav of handling a spade. On Simdav' morning divine service was conducted bv the Rev. C. Rush-King, and in the afternoon the camp was open to visitors. It is proposed to hold a mess dinner at the camp on Friday evening next, and " Skirmisher " thanks the officers

for an invitation to be present