TERRITORIALS

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 2

TERRITORIALS

[By Skirmisher.)

Htmi of interest concerning Corps (Town and Country), shooting, and Territorial notes generally will be accepted. Copy , addressed to “ Skirmisher ,” should be sn hand not later than Monday morning

Under date of February 28 His Excellency tho Governor-General (Lord Jelhceeßwroto to tho Minister of Defence (tho Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes) as follows;"I learn with regret from tho report of the National Rifle Association that the Now Zealand units competing _ in tho _ Imperial Challenge Shield competition, miniature ritlo shooting for boys ot tho Empire, did not show result? which compared well with those from other Dominions. I should like to do my best for tiro encouragement of New Zealand unite in tho future, and therefore offer a challenge trophy for award to tho unit in New Zealand which makes the greatest allround effort and . shows the highest allround training by entering successfully the largest number of tennis in the competitions, taking into consideration : _ (a) The quality of tho shooting of tho various teams representing Cadet corps, (schools, nr other units; (bj tho percentage of boys that shoot in tho competitions, senior or junior, or both, as compared with tho total number of boys of shooting ago in tho Cadet corps, school, or other unit. I understand that ti e Govcrnors-Gcncral of the other Dominions have given a trophy under the same conditions. Tne trophy 13 now on order,”

Sir Heaton Rhodes placed His Excellency’s letter before a meeting of Cabinet in Wellington. Cabinet expressed its appreciation of Lord Jollicoo's generous oiler, which, it was considered, would greatly stimulate interest in shooting among the various units affected. Last month I quoted a decision given by “Bulls-eve” regarding tho settlement of a tie. “Bulls-eye” novJ discovers his decision was in error, and writes as follows:—“While I am convinced that A should win, owing to his handicap, tho rule I quoted about ties is not the Now Zealand one. The Dnnrninn Association ride on, the subject slates clearly that if the competition is at one distance only, tho decision shall be (he value of each shot in inverse order. I am sorry if anyone has been misled by rny former decision, but having seen the error, I hasten to remedy it. The decision T gave is the Bisley one relating to service shooting, or any individual competitions in which the sh'otr, are not marked in order. That is to say, those which are marked after the man has completed his shoot.” I notice that a cricket match is being arranged to fake place early in April between a Christchurch Cadet team and a team of Akaroa Cadets. I have not_so far heard of any such matches having been arranged or carried out between teams in the Otago district. Is nothing being done in this direction to foster tho spirit cf friendly rivalry between tho Cadet units of -our district? Now that tho holding of military and athletic competitions has been decided on, I do hope that Otago will get to work in real earnest, and come out well on top. I gave some particulars of these competitions in my last notes. Full details of tho sections referred to are laid out, and provide interesting food for much study on the part of all concerned both in tho carrying out of the competitions and the competing therein. The publication of the conditions under which the competitions are to bo held may bo Helpful to those of my readers who are interested: 1. Tho competitions are open to all companies of Territorial infantry battalions and Territorial Force Cadet companies. 2, In the right division of the Cadet competitions the whole contingent (irrespective of strength) at any one college or school will be regarded as a company or unit for tho purpose of these competitions.

3. In the case of a company in a country district formed of platoons or detachments so widely separated that tho company cannot parade together, tho company will parade for inspection at the centre where tho largest attendance ’ can be secured without expense to tho public. In such a case, when tho representative team is being selected, the O.C. company will decide, if necessary, which portion of the company is to have tho honor of providing tho team. 4. Teams in all series will consist of one officer, one sergeant, and twenty-three other ranks fnot more than four of whom may be n.c.o.s), and no company may enter more than one team. As teams for most events do not exceed twenty other ranks, there are three spare members. Three days before tho commencement of a. series, each competing unit will notify the Committee of Management of tire names of the officer, sergeant, and twentythree other ranks representing tho unit, and no alteration in tho personnel of teams will bo permitted except with tho sanction of tho comm it too, 5. All members of teams must have served for at least three months in tho company before the date of the competition, Teams representing companies successful in one scries need not necessarily ha composed of the same individuals for the next aeries. No Territorial or Cadet may be a member of any team if he has been “ non-efficient ” for tho previous year nr within the previous six months has been absent without leave from any parade, or has been punished for a breach of discipline. 5. On the occasion of inspections, and especially when the tournaments are being held, the general public should be invited to be present. As one of the main objects of the competitions is to interest the general, public in tho defence movement and in the" physical and social welfare of trainees, the tournaments will probably bo held in the nature of a sports meeting, and a largo attendance of the public will ho looked for.

Tournaments will be arranged so as not to interfere with established public functions or demonstrations.

Tho programme for the annual rifle meeting for Area 11A, which is to bo held at Reiichet Bay Ride Range, Dunedin, and Kensington Drill Hall, on two success ivo Saturdays, March 25 and April 1, has been issued. There arc six matches ami two aggregates in tho A scries open to Territorials, ami the same in B series open to Senior Cadets under eighteen years of ago. Series 0, open to Senior Cadets who were under seventeen years of age on December 31, 1921, contains five mat,dies and an aggregate. In A series, in addition to eleven money prizes, there are championship prizes to ho awarded to the two highest iifi.itrcgafcos in matches 1,2, 3. 4, and 5. First prize, Hon, Territorial silver challenge cup (to ho held for one year) and trophy; second prize, trophy. B sort cs ; Eleven money prizes and championship, to he awarded to two highest aggregates in matches 1 to 5 inclusive; first and second prizes, trophies. In match 6 in this series, which is open to teams from any Cadet company in Area 11A the winning company will hold the area champion bugle for one year and trophy for each member of team. Series A ■and B, to bo fired on full range, while series 0 will he fired with .22 rifles on 2Syds range. The latter series carries eighteen money prizes and championship prizes 1.0 .bo awarded to highest aggregates in matches 1 to, 4 inclusive; first prize, winner to hold area championship belt for one year ami trophy; second prize, trophy.' In the teams’ match in series C tiio'wiinning company to hold the iSitlcy Cup for one year and trophy, for each’ member of tho team. Series A and B will lire at Pelichet Bay Range, and 0 at Kensington Drill Hall; shooting each day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The southern military command first annual army riflo meeting, to ho held on tho Sumner rifle range, Redcliffs, Christchurch, on April 15 and 17, presents a most attractive programme, with money prizes well worth a trip to Christchurch to secure. Something in the vicinity of £2OO is being awarded in cash prizes, in addition to a long list of trophies and Special prizes in each, series. Scries A is open to all members of tho Royal Navy, Now Zealand Permanent Force, Terri-torials,-Senior Cadets (seventeen years), returned soldiers, and reservists. Entrance fee, ss, Series B, 25 yards range, .22in

ammunition, open to all Senior Cadets under seventeen years. Entrance fee, 2s 6d. Series G contains Lewis gun match, open to teams from batteries of artillery and battalions of infantry. Vickers machine gun match, open to teams from regiments of mounted rifles and battalions of infantry. Series D is open to all-comers, with an entrance fee of 10s. Match No. 1: (a) Application, 300 yards, 10 rounds; (b) application, 500 yards, 10 rounds. Match No. 2: (4 Application, 300 yards, 10 rounds; (b) application, 500 yards, 10 rounds. One compulsory sighting shot for each practice. Entries for the meeting close with the secretary, command headquarters, Christchurch, on April 8. The members of the staff of the Kensington Drill Hall met recently at the lunch hour, when Major F. H. Larapcn, N.Z.S.G., presented Mrs F. L. Hunt, who was represented by her husband, Lieutenant F. L. Hunt, N.Z.S.C., with a piece of plate, humorously stressing tho point that, owing to the terms of the King’s Regulations forbidding gifts to comrades, the presentation was to Mrs Hunt. Mr Hunt, on behalf o t~ his wife, neatly acknowledged tho gift. Second Lieutenant L. H. Sumpter, transferred from D Squadron, sth (Otago) M.R., is a welcome addition to the officers of the headquarters A Squadron in Dunedin. Since tho resumption of training in 1922 the members of tho headquarters A Squadron, sth (Otago) M.R., look forward with enthusiasm to their tour of instruction each night in the Vickers machine gun, so that steady progress is being made. Only a small number of the squadron'have yet to complete their musketry course for tho year, and ample opportunity will be afforded these in the near future.