TERRITORIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 15909, 15 September 1915, Page 2

TERRITORIALS.

♦ [By Skibmibhb*.] . Many Territorials bare "during the winter months ' been studying their training manuals with a view of improving their * military education. Wc all look forward i to annual _ -week in camp, but before that time arrives there are one or two ' military books whioh can be procured in .Dunedin, and which will considerably assist those desirous of playing the game by" becoming efficient as far as possible. ' 'Aiming, Firing, Fir© Discipline Training,' as taught at the school of musketry, is particularly good. This book is compiled by Sergeant-major F. E. Hart, and is in accordance with the principles kid down in musketry regulations, with the I ■system and methods of instruction taught at the schools of musketry. I consider ■ this publication will be useful to those who have to train and, instruct troops, also to Tcirritorials qualifying in their spare time and working for promotion. The ' Infantry Public Book/ a concise guide to- regulations, field training, musketry, camp duties, etc., is written by Lieutenant R. Stupart. The book is recognised as being an accurate and indispensable guide for Territorials of all ranks. It contains a great deal of information, particularly in connection with the duties of all ranks in camp, which cannot: be generally found in our manuals. Another book, 'Guards, SentTy Duties'—duties of the field officers of the day, captain of the day, subaltern of the day r commander of the guard, sergeant of the guard, corporal of the euard, and -private of the guard—is also written by Lieutenant Stupart. The method of carrying out guards and sentry duties is governed partly by the authorised manuals and regulations, and to a large ; extent by rules and customs which have- been handed down by previous military authors. This concise book should, in my mind, prove most useful to those officers who deliver lectures at various times on guards and sentry duties, also to young officers and non-commissioned officers' who will "from time to time be called upon to perform duties which they could not otherwise Icam unless from many *e.iTs of experience. Fecond lieutenant H. W. O. Slater and E. H. Walcott have qualified in examination "A" for promotion to lieutenant. Lieutenant-colonel A. R. Falconer, P.M.0., ae president, and Major J. Fitzgerald and Captain W. Newlands, as memtiers, will form a standing medical board foT the purpose of examining all persons brought before them from time to time by Di«trict Headquarters in Dunedin. A ten-dav refresher course of instruction for acting staff corps officers and permanent staff non-commissioned officers holding temporary appointments will be held in Dunedin during October. I am pleased to know that a number of ; units are being equipped with new uniforms. Quite a number of men have been parading for some time in pla.in clothes, arid it is hoped that very shortly all men will be seen in khaki Squadron.. and company camps in lieu of evening parades and daylights, as Tefcmmended by the Inspector-General of Oversea Forces in his report on the New Zealand Forces, may be arranged by squadron and company commanders after consultation with offioers commanding regiments concerned. In connection with these concentration camp 3, it is notified to all concerned no camp equipment, such as tents or cooking utensils, can be issued from the district stores, and it will therefore be necessary to hold such camps in places where sheds, racecourse buildings, or drill halls can be tised. Great difficulty has been experienced in fho past to devise 6ome method of drjring •clothes of men who have got wet while attending camps. District orders just published contain a method by which a Simple framework is made of ropes, cords, or wire. This framework can be erected in either a large tent or under some shelter, aiid" one or more braziers improvised from buckets or tins, full of glowing coke.or charcoal, and placed at suit- • able intervals hear to the wet clothing. Arrangements have been made with the •P.M.O. for the early establishment of a school of .instruction in Dunedin for the training of the local medical officers, medi- . cnl orderlies, sanitary squads, etc., in their -respective duties. Mr A. P. Williams, of the District Defence Staff, has been Appointed librarian nf the Officers' Club reference library. * The library is open for the issue and receipt of books each Friday evening between the hours of 7 and 8 o'clock. Sergeant-major (D.0.) Joseph Hudson Hanson, No. 2 Field Ambulance Company, has been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces long service medal. Those members of the mounted section .'of the National Reserve who missed the monthly mounted parade held at Tomahawk Beach on Sunday last will be somewhat disappointed when they "find out the amount of good work that was enjoyed by those who were present. There was a muster of over 30 of all ranks, and the first half hour was devoted to squadron work, under Captain E. C. Hazlett. Afterwards Lieutenant "A. Slinger, of the sth Mounted Regiment, took charge, and exercised the troop in attack practice and mounted infantry work. The morning was a beautiful One, and all present thoroughly enjoyed the drill; in fact, a number are enthusiastic enough to suggest that these Tnounted parades should be continued during the summer months each fortnight. „ A sergeant-major of the Royal ArmyMedical Corps is coming out to New Zea- - r land shortly to serve in the instruction of the Ambulance Corps of the New- Zealand Medical Corps. When Surgeon-general Henderson was engaged in England the , ' Defence Minister asked that he should bring a "sergeant-major with him. S.M.-S.' contributes as follows : —Quick March.— "Quick march!" The unit will at once advance With the left foot, the pace and tempo trained With stern exactness, that there be no chance Of individual diff'rence lost or gained. " Halt!" the moving foot completes its pace, The other foot comes smartly up in line To strict attention's pose and finds its place x With quiet firmness, as the rules design. '-"" Step out!" The moving foot completes its pace; And now to add throe inches is the Aim, So lean a trifle forward, do not race, j For note the tempo still remains the! same. \ "Step short!" The foot advancing will complete * Its pace, and then the paco will be made less By nine good inches, till the eager feet In-the quick march their eagerness cort- , loss. "MaTk time!" Once more the moving foot-completes . Its pace, and note the tempo will be found Unaltered still; to quick time's measured beats, Marching to linger on the self-same ground, Raising each foot six inches, heel and toe, With terra firma almost parallel, Knees to the front, dressed in a perfect tow, 'With arms and body steady for a spell. "One pace back!" or two or three or more; - ■ Step smartly back, the number thus re- - quired, Using the left foot first, as taught before, Keeping in mind the length of pace desired, Straight ■to the rear each step, a mea'sured pace .•' ' 'Of-thirty inches, meeting martial heeds, Bearing in mind 'twere just as well to faceAbout and inarch if "four" step back exceeds.