TERRITORIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 16824, 28 August 1918, Page 7

TERRITORIALS.

[By Skirmishib.] Items of interest concerntna Corps (Toum and Country), shooting and Tcmtonal notes generally will be accented Copy, addressed to "Skirmisher, should be in hand not later then Monday morning.

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces' Longt&rrice Medal has been awarded to Lieu-Jearant-colonel George Mitchell, D.5.0., Bth {Southland) Regiment, he having a total aetrvice to the 31st July, 1918, entitling him thereto of 20 vears and 46 days.

Initial srtep are" being taken to adopt a scheme ot physical training for Territorials and Cadets, on the lines suggested by Colonel Sleeman, Director of Infantry Training, but detailed arrangements have still to be made. A good deal depends on the willingness of the young men concerned to voluntarily accept training that Jansnot be included" fully in tho syllabus fif compulsory work, owing to the shortmess of the time allowed for military training under the Defence Act. It is anticipated that youths who are keen about their work and anxious, to qualify themselves for service with the Expeditionary Force -will be ready to give the necessary time. The instruction will come primarily tnm the military training camps. Proposals for the introduction of Lieu-tenant-colonel Sleeman's schemes of an Improved aystem of physical, instruction Irere placed before officers of the Wellington garrison. Colonel Sleeman gave particulars of the wonderful Tesulta of the British Army gymnastic system, introduced not many yeais ago. The benefits ot" such a system for Cadets and Territorials would be incalcnlaWe, but the problem was how to obtain the efficiency they required when they had only about 20 minutes tor physical drill wedged in between musketry instruction and other things in the weekly parades, and given Very often by instructors who had not the \leces3ary knowledge. Instruction so given iy men not properly equipped might be worse than useless, and do harm. The Army gymnastic system aimed at three things—discipline, alacrity, and interest for the trainees—and it introduced a form of sport comparable only with such a game m football. His suggestion was that, instead of the present physical drill given to men at the end of a long day's work, with other drill to follow, there should be a night set apart for a voluntary physical training class for officers and n.c.o.s. He iad permission, if this suggestion were adopted, to bring from Trentham one of Captain Brock's expert instructors to train the class, which, should comprise two or three volunteers from each unit. At the ind of a period of training the members »f the class would be able to go back to their units and earn- the scheme a step Inrther by inaugurating voluntary classes for their members. If the system proved > success In Wellington, it could be applied to the whole of the Dominion. Every lißcient instructor would be able to improve the physical -condition of great-num-bers, and Has would react upon the whole Jnanhood of New Zealand. They could not irat be struck by the proportion of medical rejections in a community- believed to be physically sturdy j but if -they analysed these rejections they would find that many *>i them were caused by slight defects, ■which would have been removed if taken in time under such a scheme of physical training as that now proposed. The suggestion was discussed by the officers, and met with hearty approval. Various suggestions were made for putting into operation, and a committee was set up to make arrangements. Colonel Campbell, chairJiaoi of the meeting, said there would be ho difficulty in carrying on the voluntary classes "if an emulative spirit were cultiTated, as in sport, with competitions between various units and an exhibition of the work done, for the benefit of parents and friends.

The latest figures show that 96,000 men Jaave left New Zealand on active service, tod that of this number 22,777 have rejurn«d side or wounded or on duty. Derails were EirppHed by the Hon. W. D. & Mac Donald as folows :— •

Hoarding tie men who have returned to fiew Zealand, the Minister gave the following details i

Tie total Australian casualties to August JB amount to 270,234, including 50,735 ead, 142,037 wounded, and 73,742 sick. Medical Boards have been instructed that gieservists who are 40 years of age or over Bhoal-d not be classed CI. It has been Jbnnd that men who have entered their fifth decade do not, as a rale, obtain much benefit from the training provided in the Cl Camp, and it has been decided, therefore, that if they are not fit for Class A shey had better be classed C2. This means that if a man aged 40 or over is not sound Jnough to go direct into the ordinary Jraining camp he will not be taken into Ihe forces at all.

On August 10, at the Canterbury Aviation School, Sockbarn, five candidates Jnalified for their tickets. Total number jf pilots to date, 125. The examinations for first appointment Jo commission and officers for promotion Were concluded last Thursday. It was generally agreed by members of the super?ising board and candidates that the military law paper was the stiffest set for jome time. In fact, it was suggested that <ach year this paper becomes harder. Information has been received from the li-my Council to the effect that owing to increased competition and decrease in establishment at the Royal Military Acadimy, Woolwich, and Royal Military College, Sandhurst, it has been found necesjarv to limit the number of nominations jllotted to the Dominion. In future only jne candidate for the Royal Military Academv. Woolwich, and two for the Boyal Military College, Sandhurst, will be accepted from any Dominion for any Particular entry. Staff nurses, after completins two years •service in the New Zealand Army Nursing Jervice with the New Zealand Expeditiontry Force in New Zealand or overseas.will ie promoted to sisters, providing such promotion Is recommended by their lmmefiate superior and the matron-in-chief. /he promotion in each case will take as from the date following that on arhich the staff nurse concerned completes yro yeara' service.—Vide general orders Mr ftH. Shand, brother of Major B. $" Shand. of this City, has gained his |ying certificate at the Bockburn Aviation School. __________—

Men embarked _ . In camp ... „. . On liame service Nxcrees „ _ ~« . Total „ . - ... 96,000 -. _. 8,4CO - — 2,500 .. ~ 480 „ ... 107,380

Discharged or awaiting discharge ... .«. ... Under treatment or on sick leave «. «, ... Total returned ™ ... 18,044 1,665 2,888 22.777